[2] The band is composed of singer-lyricist-guitarist Patrick Stickles, guitarist Liam Betson, bassist R.J. Gordon, and drummer Chris Wilson.

The group takes its name from the Shakespeare play Titus Andronicus, and has cited musical and stylistic influences such as Neutral Milk Hotel and Pulp.

[3] Titus Andronicus's first album, The Airing of Grievances, was released in April 2008 and was described as the sound of a "violent, overblown and irreverent" indie band in a positive review by Pitchfork.

Taking the form of a 93-minute, 29-song, five-act rock opera (including covers of Daniel Johnston and the Pogues),[13] Stickles described the record as a "complicated metaphor about manic depression, melding elements of philosophy, psychology, and science fiction through the plight of one troubled protagonist’s inner demons."

[14] The Most Lamentable Tragedy was released to positive reviews,[15] and the group announced a "TMLT Around the World Tour" covering the United States and Europe.