Ivy Talk and Indie Rock
It’s Monday morning, chappies. Maybe this week you’ll do a little more work and spend a little less time screwing around on the internet. But why would you do work if the internet exists? Would you still exist if the internet didn’t exist? It’s an existential dilemma.
Last night New York was a good place for young rock and rollers and genial lesser- Ivy bashing. The Mercury Lounge played host to Glen Rock, New Jersey heroes Titus Andronicus, along with spazz cuties Ponytail and the recently Pitchfork-approved Abe Vigoda. It was just about the most fun one could have on a Sunday night without going to church, especially when Titus Andonicus crashed into their song “Titus Andronicus” and everyone almost had a heart-attack.
Andronicus’s lead singer, Patrick Stickles, who is very tall and has a beard, was seen outside of the club slagging off Columbia prior to his band’s set, wondering aloud if it was ranked 13th (try 9th!) and noting the inferiority of its students and events. As a point of comparison, Harvard’s graduation ceremony was highly praised. It apparently included a gaggle of trombones and a resplendent JK Rowling “emerging from beneath her invisibility cloak.” Columbia’s graduation, it should be noted, featured Joel Klein (!) and , uh, lots of students not protesting for a change.
All comments were spoken in good humor, of course (probably), but I can’t help but feel that someone should step forward to defend Columbia’s honor against marauding young lead singers with no respect for tradition and gentility. I’m trying to think of an indie rock band who went to Columbia that has enjoyed some degree of success recently. I think it might rhyme with Campfire Beacon.
But seriously: VW vs. TA. If anyone’s going to Chicago next weekend for the Pitchfork fest, let us know who wins. TA is certainly louder and more ass-kicking, but don’t underestimate Vampire Weekend’s… connections.
