Sat, March 27, Titus Andronicus

New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus came blazing out of the gates in 2008 with its debut The Airing of Grievances, a record that mixed rough-and-tumble punk with the soul of the Garden State’s favorite son (hint: not Jon Bon Jovi). Singer/guitarist/beard aficionado Patrick Stickles delivers his vocals in jittery bellows while guitars come at you thick and fuzzy. The five-piece just released its second LP on XL Recordings, entitled The Monitor, a concept album centered around themes and battles from the Civil War. Let’s see, an album about America’s bloodiest war by a band that’s named after Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy? Sounds like bloody good fun. 1050 20th Street, www.titusandronicus.net.