Hey Folks, the Screaming Trees CD “Last Words” is going to the factory next week and you can pre-order your own copy by clicking the “Pre-Order CD” Button to the right on this page. We’ll mail your CD, wherever you are in the world, and you’ll receive it in late September, about a month before the official street date. Thanks for supporting indie music!

-Barrett

Now on eMusic

We just got the word that the final recordings of the band “Last Words” is now available on iTunes.

Twelve years later, in the winter of 2011, Martin and long-time friend and producer Jack Endino found the two-inch multi-track reels, carefully baked and cleaned the tapes, transferred them to a digital format, and brought back to life those final 10 songs. To their pleasant surprise, the music had a raw, energetic quality, with the band cracking jokes and howling with laughter between takes – they were clearly having a good time. Mark Lanegan’s smokey baritone was in top form and so was the band, with original members Gary Lee Conner on electric guitar, his brother Van Conner on bass, and Barrett Martin, the band’s long-time drummer. REM’s Peter Buck guested on acoustic guitar and electric 12-string guitar, and Trees touring guitarist Josh Homme played some rhythm guitar. The sessions were a remarkable last testament to the band’s impressive 15 year career.

This final Screaming Trees album is appropriately titled Last Words: The Final Recordings and will be released internationally as a digital download on August 2nd, on Barrett’s label, Sunyata Music, through IODA/Burnside distribution. CD and vinyl versions of the album will appear in the ensuing months, with the album cover being designed by world-renowned artist Erin Currier.

There are no plans for a reunion, as the band members are finally well-adjusted adults who actually get along with each other and have happily moved on with their lives. Gary Lee started a family and the band Microdot Gnome while Van, also a family man, started the band Valis, as well as the label Strange Earth Records. Barrett started his own label, a jazz group, and became a college professor, and Mark has cultivated a highly successful solo career, being recognized as one of the greatest singers of his generation. No, instead of a reunion like so many other bands have done, the Screaming Trees just want to make this final album available to their friends and fans – their Last Words, so to speak.

Screaming Trees – Last Words: The Final Recordings

Release date: August 2nd, 2011

Label: Sunyata Music, IODA/Burnside Distribution

Produced by Barrett Martin
Mixed by Jack Endino
Mastered by Chris Hanzsek
Album Artwork by Erin Currier

Gary Lee Conner – Lead Guitar, Piano, Clavinet, Backing Vocals
Van Conner – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mark Lanegan – Lead Vocals
Barrett Martin – Drums, Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, Vibraphone, Percussion

Special Guests:

Peter Buck – Acoustic Guitar, Tremolo Guitar, Electric 12 String Guitar,
Josh Homme – Electric Guitar

Recorded between the winter and summer of 1998-99 by:

Matt Bayles, Studio Litho, Seattle, WA
Martin Feveyear, Jupiter Studios, Seattle, WA
Toby Wright, Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles, CA