The record, while having favorable reviews, was criticized due to the timing of the release, with an attendee at one show calling them "treasonous" for performing it so soon after the September 11th attacks.
[2] The album later gained a cult following, and the band toured in support of it through 2002, including opening for Jimmy Eat World and Motion City Soundtrack, and being featured on an MTV You Hear it First episode.
Matt Baum joined The '89 Cubs, later drumming Race for Titles and the Coffin Killers; Ian McElroy formed Rig 1; Denver Dalley moved onto bands Statistics and Intramural; Landon Hedges founded Little Brazil.
In April 2012, the band launched an official website and announced that they would again reunite, this time to play Omaha's MAHA Fest.
[8] The song "MariKKKopa" was written in reference to Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona and his outspoken stance and civil rights abuses he's committed against undocumented immigrants.
[11] Speaking on the decision to sign with Epitaph over Saddle Creek, Oberst stated "After years, it kind of soured a little bit and we happened to go our own way.
A 20th anniversary edition of Read Music/Speak Spanish, featuring remastered tracks and the two songs from The Happiest Place on Earth EP, was released on February 15, 2022.
In sharp contrast to Bright Eyes' confessional, even sometimes mournful lyrics, Desaparecidos's angular, energetic and engaging vocals sound like those typically heard in post-hardcore.