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{{Short description|American hardcore punk band}}
{{redirect|Bury Me at Make-Out Creek|the album by Mitski|Bury Me at Makeout Creek}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = The Killing Tree
| name = The Killing Tree
|image =
| image = TimMcIlrath.jpg
|caption =
| caption = McIlrath performing in 2006.
|background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
|birth_name =
| birth_name =
|alias =
| alias =
|origin = [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States
| origin = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States
|instrument =
| instrument =
|genre = [[Metalcore]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Metalcore]]|[[hardcore punk]]|[[post-hardcore]]}}
|occupation =
| occupation =
|years_active = 1999–2006
| years_active = 1999–2006
|label = [http://www.eyeballrecords.com/ Eyeball Records]<br/>[http://www.onedaysavior.com/ One Day Savior Records]<br/>[http://www.governmentmusic.com/ Government Music]
| label = [[Eyeball Records|Eyeball]], [[One Day Savior Recordings|One Day Savior]], Government Music
|associated_acts = [[Rise Against]]<br/>Synnecrosis<br/>[[Baxter (punk band)|Baxter]]<br/>[[Arma Angelus]]<br/>Holy Roman Empire<br/>The Killer<br/>Sweet Cobra
| spinoff_of = {{hlist|[[Rise Against]]|[[Baxter (punk band)|Baxter]]}}
|website = [http://www.thekillingtree.com Official Site]
| website = [http://www.thekillingtree.com Official Site]
|current_members = [[Tim McIlrath]]<br/>[[Todd Mohney]]<br/>Geoff Reu<br/>Timothy Remis
| current_members = [[Tim McIlrath]]<br/>[[Todd Mohney]]<br/>Geoff Reu<br/>[[Sweet Cobra |Timothy Remis]]
|past_members = Laura Cahill<br/>[[Neil Hennessy]]
| past_members = Laura Cahill<br/>[[Neil Hennessy]]
}}
}}


'''The Killing Tree''' (sometimes abbreviated as '''TKT''') was a metalcore band from [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. They were another band of [[Tim McIlrath]] ([[Rise Against]]'s lead singer), and also contain a former guitarist from Rise Against, [[Todd Mohney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.msn.com/album/?album=44088415&menu=review |title=The Romance Of Helen Trent by The Killing Tree on MSN Music |publisher=Music.msn.com |date= |accessdate=October 15, 2012}}</ref>
'''<span lang="ml" dir="ltr">The</span> Killing Tree''' (sometimes abbreviated as '''TKT''') were a [[hardcore punk]] band from [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. They were a [[side project]] of [[Tim McIlrath]] during the early days of [[Rise Against]] and featured former Rise Against guitarist Todd Mohney and bassist Geoff Reu of [[Baxter (punk band)|Baxter]] and [[Holy Roman Empire (band)|Holy Roman Empire]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.msn.com/album/?album=44088415&menu=review |title=The Romance Of Helen Trent by The Killing Tree on MSN Music |publisher=Music.msn.com |access-date=October 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124004220/http://www.music.msn.com/album/?album=44088415 |archive-date=November 24, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Career==
⚫
The Killing Tree were formed before [[Tim McIlrath|McIlrath]]'s other band, [[Rise Against]], McIlrath on guitar, Reu on bass, and Remis on drums.<ref name="kevincorazza1">{{cite web|url=http://kevincorazza.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63:black-widows&catid=35:artists |title=Tim McIIrath |publisher=Kevincorazza.com |date= |accessdate=October 15, 2012}}</ref> In an interview, McIlrath told the interviewer "I used to play in a band called Baxter with Geoff Reu and Remis, and we always had an itch to do heavier music. After Baxter broke up we would have sporadic, impromptu jam sessions in my basement for a year, with no real intention of starting anything. We actually had a female roommate at the time singing for us for a while! Either way, the songs began to take shape and we realized we needed someone else to complete the chaos, so we enlisted Todd to shred with us, and all the pieces fell into place. After we completed a number of songs we realized that what started out as fun we thought might actually go over well.
The Killing Tree was formed shortly after [[Tim McIlrath]]'s other band, [[Rise Against]], in 1999. The band's main line-up consisted of McIlrath on guitar and vocals, Reu on bass and backing vocals, Mohney on guitar, and Remis on drums.<ref name="kevincorazza1">{{cite web |url=http://kevincorazza.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63:black-widows&catid=35:artists |title=Tim McIIrath |publisher=Kevincorazza.com |access-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316214940/http://kevincorazza.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63:black-widows&catid=35:artists |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
⚫
"<ref name="kevincorazza1"/> McIlrath was concerned that Rise Against's record label, [[Fat Wreck Chords]] would not want him recording with a different band, so all members of The Killing Tree used false identities when performing and recording.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://undercomm.storenvy.com/products/11130-the-killing-tree-bury-me-at-make-out-creek-lp |title=Bury Me at Make-Out Creek EP at Storenvy |publisher=Undercomm.storenvy.com |date= |accessdate=October 15, 2012}}</ref> The Killing Tree has not had any albums or EPs released since 2003.


⚫
In an interview, Tim McIlrath told the interviewer "I used to play in a band called [[Baxter (punk band)|Baxter]] with Geoff Reu and Remis, and we always had an itch to do heavier music. After Baxter broke up we would have sporadic, impromptu [[jam sessions]] in my basement for a year, with no real intention of starting anything. We actually had a female roommate at the time singing for us for a while! Either way, the songs began to take shape and we realized we needed someone else to complete the chaos, so we enlisted Todd to shred with us, and all the pieces fell into place. After we completed a number of songs we realized that what started out as fun we thought might actually go over well.
The Killing Tree's musical style is less conventional than Rise Against. The songs are generally longer and have more metalcore influences, such as [[Screaming (music)#Metalcore|screaming]] vocals and aggressive [[Break (music)#Metal and punk|breakdowns]]. Although the vocals are primarily screamed, many tracks alternate between screaming and clean vocals. The lyrics tend to be darker and have violent themes. These qualities make the band less appealing to mainstream audiences than Rise Against.
"<ref name="kevincorazza1"/>


⚫
McIlrath was concerned that Rise Against's record label, [[Fat Wreck Chords]] would not want him recording with a different band, so all members of The Killing Tree used false identities when performing and recording.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://undercomm.storenvy.com/products/11130-the-killing-tree-bury-me-at-make-out-creek-lp |title=Bury Me at Make-Out Creek EP at Storenvy |publisher=Undercomm.storenvy.com |access-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309134433/http://undercomm.storenvy.com/products/11130-the-killing-tree-bury-me-at-make-out-creek-lp |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In February 2003, the band signed to [[Eyeball Records]], who released the band's ''We Sing Sin'' EP in May 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/5419/the-killing-tree-signs-with-eyeball-records|title=The Killing Tree signs with Eyeball Records|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=February 26, 2003|accessdate=March 4, 2021}}</ref>
⚫
The Killing Tree has not performed live since 2004 or released any new music since 2006, and the official website has not been updated since August 26, 2005.
⚫
In an Interview with [[Punknews.org]] Tim McIlrath was asked about The Killing Tree's future and said:
⚫
"I would love to. I would love to right now. I'd love to call those guys and just fucking write a record right now if we could. I think Neil is getting back from Europe today and I'm going to hang out with him later tonight. Todd is out of LA right now doing a bunch of graphic design stuff and Jeff is doing Holy Roman and also doing his masters degree at UIC. For me and Neil to actually have lunch together though, that's like the stars are aligned. It's a fucking miracle. I would love to and I think that I still love the Killing Tree and what we've created. I love the record, it was a lot of fun. But, there's no real mystery to why we're not doing records- it's simply because there's no time. If there was, we'd all be having a lot of fun and writing some new songs or at least playing some shows. But who knows, we tend to do a show every year or so in Chicago somewhere.."


⚫
In an Interview with Punknews.org Tim McIlrath was asked about The Killing Tree's future and said:
⚫
"I would love to. I would love to right now. I'd love to call those guys and just fucking write a record right now if we could. I think Neil is getting back from Europe today and I'm going to hang out with him later tonight. Todd is out of LA right now doing a bunch of graphic design stuff and Geoff is doing [[Holy Roman Empire (band)|Holy Roman]] and also doing his masters degree at UIC. For me and Neil to actually have lunch together though, that's like the stars are aligned. It's a fucking miracle. I would love to and I think that I still love the Killing Tree and what we've created. I love the record, it was a lot of fun. But, there's no real mystery to why we're not doing records- it's simply because there's no time. If there was, we'd all be having a lot of fun and writing some new songs or at least playing some shows. But who knows, we tend to do a show every year or so in Chicago somewhere.."

⚫
Despite this claim, the Killing Tree has not performed live since 2004 or released any new music since 2006.

==Musical style==
The Killing Tree's musical style is typified by longer songs and more prominent [[metalcore]] and [[Swedish death metal]] influences,<ref name="Andrew Averisonline Review" /> such as [[Screaming (music)#Metalcore|screaming]] vocals and aggressive [[Break (music)#Metal and punk|breakdowns]], than that of McIlrath's other band, Rise Against. Although the vocals are primarily screamed, many tracks alternate between screaming and clean vocals. The lyrics tend to be darker and have violent themes. They have been described as metalcore,<ref name="Andrew Averisonline Review">{{cite web|last1=Westerhouse|first1=Andrew|title=Review: The Killing Tree "The Romance of Helen Trent" CD|date=April 30, 2003 |url=https://www.aversionline.com/view/the-killing-tree-the-romance-of-helen-trent-cd|website=Aversion OnlineWaccess-date=6 May 2018}}</ref> [[hardcore punk]] and [[post-hardcore]],<ref name="Exclaim" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Taylor|first1=Jason|title=The Killing Tree The Romance of Helen Trent|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-romance-of-helen-trent-mw0000330365|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref> with their style having been compared to acts such as [[AFI (band)|AFI]], [[At the Drive-In]] and [[Sparta (band)|Sparta]].<ref name="Exclaim">{{cite web|last1=Pratt|first1=Greg|title=The Killing Tree The Romance of Helen Trent|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/killing_tree-romance_of_helen_trent|website=Exclaim|access-date=6 May 2018}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
'''Studio albums'''
===Albums/EPs===
⚫
* ''Bury Me At Make-Out Creek'' (2000)
* ''[[The Romance of Helen Trent (album)|The Romance of Helen Trent]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Romance of Helen Trent (album)|The Romance of Helen Trent]]'' (2002)

'''EPs'''
⚫
* ''Bury Me at Make-Out Creek'' (2000)
* ''We Sing Sin'' (2003)
* ''We Sing Sin'' (2003)


===Compilations===
'''Compilations'''
* ''Hair: Chicago Punk Cuts'' ("Dressed To Fuck" only) (2006)
* ''Hair: Chicago Punk Cuts'' ("Dressed to Fuck" only) (2006)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Hair-Chicago-Punk-Cuts/release/3463957|title=Various - Hair: Chicago Punk Cuts|website=Discogs.com|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>


==Band Members and Aliases==
==Members==
* [[Tim McIlrath]] (James Kaspar) - [[lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]]
* [[Tim McIlrath]] (James Kaspar) - [[lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]] (1999-2006)
* [[Todd Mohney]] (Todd Rundgren) - [[lead guitar]]
* [[Todd Mohney]] (Todd Rundgren) - [[lead guitar]] (1999-2006)
* Geoff Reu (Jean-Luc Rue) - [[bass guitar|bass]], [[backing vocalist|backing vocals]]
* Geoff Reu (Jean-Luc Rue) - [[bass guitar|bass]], [[backing vocalist|backing vocals]] (1999-2006)
* Timothy Remis (Botchy Vasquez) - [[drum set|drums]]
* Timothy Remis (Botchy Vasquez) - [[drum set|drums]] (2000-2006)


==Previous Members==
;Previous members
* Laura Cahill - lead vocals (1999)
* Laura Cahill - co-lead vocals (1999)
* [[Neil Hennessy]] - drums (1999)
* [[Neil Hennessy]] - drums (1999)


==Other appearances==
==Other appearances==
* Emily Schambra (of Holy Roman Empire) - guest vocals on "Dressed To Fuck"
* Emily Schambra (of [[Holy Roman Empire (band)|Holy Roman Empire]]) - guest vocals on "Dressed To Fuck"


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.punknews.org/bands/thekillingtree/ Punknews.com Profile]
*[http://www.punknews.org/bands/thekillingtree/ Punknews.com Profile]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://thekillingtree.com The Killing Tree Website (Archived)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://thekillingtree.com The Killing Tree Website (Archived)]
*[http://kcorazza.blogspot.com/2013/02/tim-mcilrath-interview.html The Killing Tree Website Interview]
*[https://archive.today/20130215152140/http://kcorazza.blogspot.com/2013/02/tim-mcilrath-interview.html The Killing Tree Website Interview]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Killing Tree, The}}[[Category:Musical groups from Chicago, Illinois]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Killing Tree, The}}
[[Category:Musical groups from Chicago]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:American metalcore musical groups]]
[[Category:Metalcore musical groups from Illinois]]
[[Category:American post-hardcore musical groups]]
[[Category:American post-hardcore musical groups]]
[[Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Illinois]]
[[Category:Musical quartets from Illinois]]
[[Category:Musical quartets]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2006]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2006]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:One Day Savior Recordings artists]]

Latest revision as of 17:59, 5 August 2024

"Bury Me at Make-Out Creek" redirects here. For the album by Mitski, see Bury Me at Makeout Creek.

The Killing Tree
McIlrath performing in 2006.
McIlrath performing in 2006.
Background information
OriginChicago, Illinois, United States
Genres
Years active1999–2006
LabelsEyeball, One Day Savior, Government Music
Spinoff of
MembersTim McIlrath
Todd Mohney
Geoff Reu
Timothy Remis
Past membersLaura Cahill
Neil Hennessy
WebsiteOfficial Site

The Killing Tree (sometimes abbreviated as TKT) were a hardcore punk band from Chicago, Illinois. They were a side project of Tim McIlrath during the early days of Rise Against and featured former Rise Against guitarist Todd Mohney and bassist Geoff Reu of Baxter and Holy Roman Empire.[1]

Career

[edit]

The Killing Tree was formed shortly after Tim McIlrath's other band, Rise Against, in 1999. The band's main line-up consisted of McIlrath on guitar and vocals, Reu on bass and backing vocals, Mohney on guitar, and Remis on drums.[2]

In an interview, Tim McIlrath told the interviewer "I used to play in a band called Baxter with Geoff Reu and Remis, and we always had an itch to do heavier music. After Baxter broke up we would have sporadic, impromptu jam sessions in my basement for a year, with no real intention of starting anything. We actually had a female roommate at the time singing for us for a while! Either way, the songs began to take shape and we realized we needed someone else to complete the chaos, so we enlisted Todd to shred with us, and all the pieces fell into place. After we completed a number of songs we realized that what started out as fun we thought might actually go over well. "[2]

McIlrath was concerned that Rise Against's record label, Fat Wreck Chords would not want him recording with a different band, so all members of The Killing Tree used false identities when performing and recording.[3] In February 2003, the band signed to Eyeball Records, who released the band's We Sing Sin EP in May 2003.[4]

In an Interview with Punknews.org Tim McIlrath was asked about The Killing Tree's future and said: "I would love to. I would love to right now. I'd love to call those guys and just fucking write a record right now if we could. I think Neil is getting back from Europe today and I'm going to hang out with him later tonight. Todd is out of LA right now doing a bunch of graphic design stuff and Geoff is doing Holy Roman and also doing his masters degree at UIC. For me and Neil to actually have lunch together though, that's like the stars are aligned. It's a fucking miracle. I would love to and I think that I still love the Killing Tree and what we've created. I love the record, it was a lot of fun. But, there's no real mystery to why we're not doing records- it's simply because there's no time. If there was, we'd all be having a lot of fun and writing some new songs or at least playing some shows. But who knows, we tend to do a show every year or so in Chicago somewhere.."

Despite this claim, the Killing Tree has not performed live since 2004 or released any new music since 2006.

Musical style

[edit]

The Killing Tree's musical style is typified by longer songs and more prominent metalcore and Swedish death metal influences,[5] such as screaming vocals and aggressive breakdowns, than that of McIlrath's other band, Rise Against. Although the vocals are primarily screamed, many tracks alternate between screaming and clean vocals. The lyrics tend to be darker and have violent themes. They have been described as metalcore,[5] hardcore punk and post-hardcore,[6][7] with their style having been compared to acts such as AFI, At the Drive-In and Sparta.[6]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

EPs

  • Bury Me at Make-Out Creek (2000)
  • We Sing Sin (2003)

Compilations

  • Hair: Chicago Punk Cuts ("Dressed to Fuck" only) (2006)[8]

Members

[edit]
Previous members
  • Laura Cahill - co-lead vocals (1999)
  • Neil Hennessy - drums (1999)

Other appearances

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Romance Of Helen Trent by The Killing Tree on MSN Music". Music.msn.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2006. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Tim McIIrath". Kevincorazza.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  3. ^ "Bury Me at Make-Out Creek EP at Storenvy". Undercomm.storenvy.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  4. ^ Heisel, Scott (February 26, 2003). "The Killing Tree signs with Eyeball Records". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Westerhouse, Andrew (April 30, 2003). "Review: The Killing Tree "The Romance of Helen Trent" CD". Aversion OnlineWaccess-date=6 May 2018.
  6. ^ a b Pratt, Greg. "The Killing Tree The Romance of Helen Trent". Exclaim. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  7. ^ Taylor, Jason. "The Killing Tree The Romance of Helen Trent". AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  8. ^ "Various - Hair: Chicago Punk Cuts". Discogs.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
[edit]
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