Craig Finn and Patrick Stickles are separated by more than a decade in age, yet they are kindred spirits. With Finn’s band The Hold Steady and Stickles’ Titus Andronicus, each musician has dedicated his career to writing songs that explore the dark underbelly of suburban life and the troubled, outsider characters who inhabit that world. Both convey vivid lyrics through rock and roll, and more punk for Titus, like a more drugged out Bruce Springsteen. So, while fans of either band may not have fully understood the impetus for Craig Finn and Titus Andronicus to share a tour bill, it actually makes perfect sense.
On Tuesday, March 8th, the tour known as “No Faith, No Future, No Problem” made its way to Austin for a show at the Parish. Taking the stage first was Craig Finn, who is currently supporting the release of his second solo effort Faith In The Future. Finn’s solo material is far more subdued and slow-burning compared to his work with The Hold Steady, and playing as a trio allowed him to put the songs up front as opposed to the wild rock shows he is known for. Newer songs like “Maggie I’ve Been Searching For Our Son”, “No Future”, “Screenwriters School”, and “Christine” felt more introspective and personal compared to the more character-based narrative storytelling of The Hold Steady’s work. Though they were darker with far less of a focus on partying, Finn and his band gave the tunes a rock and roll backbone and he belted out lyrics in his usual declarative, poetic drawl. The set culminated when Finn brought local guitarist Ricky Ray Jackson to join the band on a few songs off his solo debut Clear Heart Full Eyes, which was recorded in Austin. Craig Finn’s solo performances may not fully appease fans looking for The Hold Steady, but it offered a new perspective on this talented songwriter and also served as an ideal aperitif for what would come next.
As is typical of a Titus Andronicus show, fans were treated to a lengthy diatribe by bearded frontman Patrick Stickles. In this case it came at the beginning of the set with Stickles urging safety and respect amongst the fans before an almost lounge-y rendition of “To Old Friends And New” accompanied only by Elio DeLuca on piano. Stickles’ harsh, made-for-punk vocals brought the song to a climax when he was joined by the rest of the band, who laid into a three-guitar attack to really kick off the set. Touring behind the release of their epic triple LP A Most Lamentable Tragedy, Titus Andronicus are tighter than ever these days, and it’s good seeing them playing to appreciative audiences. Beers flew through the air as the Stickles and co. dosed out unchecked aggression channeled through explosive punk rock. Fan favorite “No Future Part III” started slow before swelling into a booming rock and roll song with the crowd joining in to chant the chorus of “you’ll always, be a loser”!
Titus’ brand of punk is not quick blasts but rather complex, grandiose numbers that go up and down as Stickles pushes his own frustrations and angst out towards the audience. The band tore through their catalogue and the audience showed their love by jumping around with adoration. Fans even abstained from throwing drinks after Stickles recommended they stop. There was a familial vibe to it all that was enhanced by the presence of Stickles’ brother, who flew in for the show and joined the band onstage to clap along and sing background vocals. The highlight of it all came when Craig Finn appeared from the darkness to join the band for a cover of the classic Replacements tune “Bastards of Young”. Both acts carry influences of the ‘Mats in their own music, and the joining of forces for that cover sealed an already strong connection (and performance) from Titus Andronicus and Craig Finn.
For reference of just how awesome that cover was, here’s a video of the Titus and Craig Finn playing it in New York last year:
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