Trust Obey was the brainchild of John Bergin. Beginning in 1988, he self-released a number of recordings that focused on dark, grinding explorations of sound with names like Rip Saw, The Veil and Locust. In 1993, he hooked up with guitarist Brett Smith to produce a band that was capable of playing live. One of the most interesting projects that was issued by Trust Obey was Fear and Bullets: Music to Accompany the Crow. Issued by Kitchen Sink Press and Graphitti Designs, the cd was packaged with a special hardcover edition of The Crow graphic novel written by James O'Barr. The music on this album wails with spirituality and loneliness -- providing a sonic map for the psychic pain experienced by O'Barr's lead character. Shortly after the Fear and Bullets' release, Trust Obey was signed to Nothing/Interscope Records, but the association was short-lived. Perhaps the only band to be dropped from Nothing Records, Trust Obey was released from their contract because they were believed to lack commercial appeal. Fifth Colvmn snatched them up and released their next album, Hands of Ash in 1996. A reissue of Fear and Bullets by Deezal followed in 1999, with special artwork by James O'Barr within the packaging taking the place of the graphic novel itself. ~ Stacia Proefrock