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The Honorary Title: In With the New

“Last time we were here there were six people,” said Honorary Title bassist Aaron Kamstra. But at the Mercury Lounge last night (June 21), however, the modest guys of the Honorary Title managed to draw in a sold-out crowd. As twenty-somethings slowly filtered in — including one Kelly Osbourne — openers Bear Hands punched out riveting, devil-may-care rock between swigs of Jim Beam. Stragglers missed out, but were appeased by the Pierces, chic sisters boasting synchronized shimmies and seductive glances.

But truly undeniable was the Honorary Title; pixie-like frontman Jarrod Gorbel captivated with compelling vocals, laying emotion bare while seemingly singing straight to ghosts of yesterday. Cheers greeted old favorites like “Bridge and Tunnel” and “Revealing Too Much,” yet even with a set heavy on new songs — including “Untouched and Intact” and those left intentionally untitled — fans sung right along. “Our record is out soon. The mysterious album you all already know,” joked Gorbel. Behold the power of the Internet, live in the LES. COREY APAR / PHOTOS BY KAREN CHAN

What “honorary title” were you given in high school — or what should it have been?