The Honorary Title | Main

Brooklyn-based band The Honorary Title are an indie-rooted, post-grunge rock band, comprised of Jarrod Gorbel (vocals) and Aaron Kamstra (bassist/multi-instrumentalist). The Honorary Title draws on an eclectic range of influences including Elvis Costello, Bright Eyes and Jeff Buckley.

The band formed in 2002 after Gorbel, then an avid fan of the indie rock scene, wanted to refocus his musical talents and start a new band. After combing the New York City indie scene, religiously attending shows at The Mercury Lounge, Brownies, CBGBs and the Knitting Factory, Gorbel recruited Indiana-native Kamstra to his new musical endeavor.

Shortly after Gorbel and Kamstra united, the duo played a series of tour dates, opening for Dashboard Confessional. Building off of the exposure that touring with Dashboard afforded them, the band fielded offers from several labels, ultimately signing with the independent label Doghouse Records. Doghouse's other artists include The Get Up Kids and The All-American Rejects.

The band recorded their debut album, Anything Else but the Trust, during the fall of 2003 with the help of producer Roger Moutenot; Moutenot is best-known for his work with Yo la Tengo, Guster, and Josh Rouse. The album was released in June of 2004 on Doghouse Records.

Since the June 2004 release of Anything Else But The Truth, The Honorary Title has toured relentlessly, sharing the stage with the likes of Taking Back Sunday, Secret Machines, AC Newman, From Autumn to Ashes, Lucero, Straylight Run, Minus The Bear and The French Kicks. The band has also performed at SXSW and Austin City Limits. In the fall of 2004, the band went on their first full national tour with Switchfoot and The Format, playing sold out shows at such venues as LA's Wiltern Theatre, New York's Hammerstein Ballroom and Chicago's Riviera Theatre. The band's song "Bridge and Tunnel" has also been featured on several episodes of the WB show One Tree Hill.