Titus Andronicus are a punk band from New Jersey, named after Shakespeare's first tragedy - sometimes controversial for it's graphic violence - about a general in the Roman army who is preoccupied in his vendetta with the Queen of the Goths.
The epic and militaristic nature of their name suits them. With four guitarists spanned across the stage at Cat's Cradle, Titus Andronicus made a musical attack on the crowd with post-adderall stamina and lyrics about getting fucked up and fucking hating your ex.
The rhythmic synchronization of the band and interplay between the members added to the satisfying momentum. Like caffeinated marionettes, each guitarist had a different repetitive motion during a song - one was shifting back and forth, the second pouncing, the third bobbing, the fourth swiveling - all in time with each other.
Their impeccable timing was especially apparent during musical breaks, where it felt like a ball had been tossed in the air and all the members thrashed forward to catch it at the exact same time.
When I asked guitarist and electric violinist, Amy Klein, about building synchronicity with fellow band mates she admitted, "It has taken a lot of practice, but eventually you start to feel the other people without looking back at the drummer."
Lyrically, there are a few verses that Titus Andronicus yell out repeatedly in various songs; "It's us against them!", "You'll always be a loser!", and "Please don't ever leave!" Some songs actually begin quietly with near-epiphanies about atonement before exploding into a seizure of rowdy punk. Though their aesthetic is decidedly American some of these anthems would feel very much at home in a modern Irish pub.
Titus Andronicus are continuing their US tour and recording new material. "We have a new song and a half. The half is really long though," said Klein with a side giggle. The band also recently released the first music video from the critically acclaimed album, The Monitor, for the song "No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future".
Photo by Jennifer Finan
