Rock Iowa

Editor’s Note: We’re just now adding show and CD reviews to the site, so while Thomas was quite prompt in writing his review, we were a bit tardier in getting it posted. If you would like to write reviews for Rock Iowa or accompany our writers as a photographer please contact scott@rockiowa.com

Vaudeville Mews
July 22, 2008

New Jersey boys Titus Andronicus have been receiving a fair amount of buzz lately, culminating most recently at their performance at Chicago’s Pitchfork Music Festival last weekend. The sextet continued westward Tuesday, playing to a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines.

Titus Andronicus’ debut CD, “The Airing of Grievances,” is a raw and unpolished lo-fi affair, which captures their live performance fairly accurately. What’s missing on record, though, is the muscle of hearing the songs performed live. The group had no problem filling the Mews with sound and bringing people from the bar to the stage.

The band named its current national tour the “Shoegaze Across America” tour. But instead of an introverted, dream-inducing performance characteristic of shoegaze, the band showcased its live energy and aggression, bouncing around the already crowded stage. The shoegaze label was not entirely inaccurate, however - with as many as four guitarists at a time, there was a lot of sound layering going on. But it was hard to make out texture - it didn’t seem like every guitarist was utilized to the extent they could be. The band claims their lineup has changed dramatically over the past few years, containing as many as 11 members at one point. Titus Andronicus is a young band, and if their success continues, each member should have no problem finding their place.

Titus Andronicus’ garage rock roots were readily apparent and only added to their charm. The set kicked off with the 20th Century Fox fanfare played from a cassette deck by lead singer Patrick Stickles’ feet. The whole of the set was aided by an effectively choreographed light show coming from tiny lamps around the stage, operated from a switch pedal by one of the guitarists. The technological highlight came during a bluesy number in the middle of the set that featured every member of the band. Stickles grabbed a spotlight and shone it on each featured soloist, turning it to the crowd for moments in between.

Where they are now, Titus Andronicus are really a great bar band. Throughout the night, people referenced their breakout festival performance from the weekend, but the shouted lyrics and hazy guitars fit nicely in the Mews.

Visit Titus Andronicus’ MySpace Page

Visit the Vaudeville Mews website

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