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Brooklyn-based duo the Honorary Title formed around vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Jarrod Gorbel and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Aaron Kamstra circa 2002. Taking the soul-baring narrative quality of bands like Dashboard Confessional, the two presented it on an indie rock canvas of gentle acoustics and often-dark humor. Gorbel began playing guitar at 13, while growing up in the suburbs of Long Island, NY. Following college, he began playing solo gigs around downtown spots like the Knitting Factory, the Mercury Lounge, and CBGBs before hooking up with Kamstra, an N.Y.C. transplant from Indiana, and christening themselves the Honorary Title. Combining influences that include Elvis Costello, Jeff Buckley, and Bright Eyes, their melodic hooks containing Kamstra's piano parts and Gorbel's compelling voice soon caught the attention of Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba; he personally chose them as openers for his band on a series of dates in the fall of 2002. Before long, the warm-up slot had sparked label interest, and the band eventually signed with the Ohio-based indie Doghouse Records in September 2003. A self-titled EP featuring only Gorbel appeared in late 2003, but they issued their debut album, Anything Else But the Truth, as a duo the next summer. The Honorary Title joined the Format for a fall tour supporting Switchfoot before hooking up with Lucero the next summer. The band also shared stages over time with a range of acts including From Autumn to Ashes, Straylight Run, Secret Machines, and Taking Back Sunday. A brief headlining tour in February 2006 with Limbeck led up to the reissue of their debut (with five bonus tracks and two music videos) later that month. The group also features touring members Jon Wiley (keyboards/guitar) and Adam Boyd (drums). ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide |
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