I struggled a bit trying to figure out the best way to convey the live sound of Titus Andronicus. I settled with "sloppy focus". Let me explain. Titus was definitely the tightest, most sloppy punk band that I've seen come through town in some time. Often such unhinged feelings and lack of measured stage presence can be perceived at punk shows, especially if the audience feeds off the energy and reciprocates with rowdiness. Even though Larimer's hosting duties for Titus Andronicus fell on a Saturday night, the crowd was sparse at best so not much reaction was elicited by the few dozen attendees. Due to the unfortunateness of such a thin crowd I cannot say for certain, but I'm willing to bet Titus Andronicus has induced several mosh-pits during their short tenure.

Another aspect of the sloppy focus distinction comes from the manner in which the band presents themselves. Roughness in appearance is most starkly evident in singer Patrick Stickles' OBL beard, dark, oily hair cropped over his eyes, and a general pissed off demeanor. Though other than a few dropped microphones, him nor the band ever missed a cue. That includes six dudes with three guitars among them playing with a level of exact precision that I wouldn't expect from listening to the record or seeing them on a stage. Practically flawless musicianship really.

Marked by the response it received from the few who turned out, the band-titled song from 2008's The Airing of Grievances, "Titus Andronicus" - a snarling, anthemic barnburner, has become somewhat of an underground hit. One fan was especially notable when he filled spontaneous guest vocals from the crowd during a pause in the hectic end of the song to scream, "Your life is over!", causing the raising of Stickles' eyebrow as his interest momentarily piqued. Enough to coyly shoot back, "You said it man", seconds before the band instantly jumped right back into the erupting conclusion of the song's repeating of the aforementioned phrase now in chorus with the crowd.

Titus Andronicus - "Titus Andronicus"

"No Future" was the progressive power house towards the end of the set, a slowburner with a 7+ minute fuse churning throughout. One of Titus Andronicus's best songs, and for that matter from anyone this year. Live, it became an immediate highlight. Something about the lazy pace reminds of Liars infamous left field (relatively, for them) offer off Drums Not Dead, the heartbreaking "The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack." A cardiac ailment echoed in "No Future" with a startling request, "deliver me a heart attack." Potent forewarning to the eventual full throttle push of the song's latter half when the essence of Titus Andronicus shines best as the song sweats out of them with frenetic yet focused energy. Sloppy focus that is.

Titus Andronicus - "No Future"

Liars - "The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack"

March of Titus Andronicus
8.10.2008 - The Dragon's Den, New Orleans, LA
8.11.2008 - The Belafonte, Hattiesburg, MS
8.12.2008 - The Earl, Atlanta, GA
8.13.2008 - Secret Squirrel, Athens, GA
8.14.2008 - Bull City HQ, Durham, NC*
8.15.2008 - Tea Bazaar, Charlottesville, VA**
8.16.2008 - The Red and the Black, Washington DC
8.17.2008 - Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
8.18.2008 - The Barbary, Philadelphia, PA
8.24.2008 - McCarren Pool, Williamsburg, Brooklyn% (free show)

* w/ Spider Bags, Vivian Girls
** w/ Truman Sparks, Bat Attack
% w/ Yo La Tengo

//Titus Andronicus - Myspace