Title Fight

Title Fight are a punk rock band from Kingston, United States, active from 2003 to 2018. The group consists of Jamie Rhoden, Shane Moran, Ned Russin and Ben Russin. Their sound is associated with punk rock, hardcore, melodic hardcore, pop punk, emo, post-hardcore and shoegaze, and their music draws on the style of bands such as Jawbreaker, Kid Dynamite and Lifetime, alongside melodic punk groups including Saves the Day, emo acts such as Knapsack and Seaweed, and later indie rock influences including Dinosaur Jr. and My Bloody Valentine.

Career

The band forms in 2003 and first releases the single Flood of '72 in 2007 on SideOneDummy Records. Their first studio album, The Last Thing You Forget, appears in 2009 on Run For Cover Records. Shed follows in 2011, and Floral Green arrives in 2012, again on SideOneDummy Records.

In 2013, Title Fight releases the single Face Ghost on Secret Voice and later that year issues their first EP, Spring Songs, on Revelation Records. Their fourth studio album, Hyperview, comes out in 2015 on Anti- Records. The group then enters a period of inactivity after its final show in 2018.

Musical development

Over time, Title Fight shift from their earlier punk and hardcore roots into a broader sound. Hyperview is described as a departure from their previous material, with the band taking more time over its production and experimenting with new ideas. Ned Russin describes the album’s influence as wide-ranging, with reference points including Morrissey, The Strokes and Neko Case, while stressing that the aim is not to copy other artists directly but to work from selected ideas and textures.

Members and later activity

Jamie Rhoden handles vocals and guitar, Shane Moran plays guitar, Ned Russin provides vocals and bass, and Ben Russin plays drums. After Title Fight’s inactive period begins, Ned Russin continues with Glitterer, which starts as a solo project and later includes Ben and Alex Russin. Ben Russin also serves as the lead drummer for Citizen. Shane Moran works with Kenny Mason on some projects and is married to Brianna Collins of Tigers Jaw.