Rock n’ Roll meets Jack Ass on Deer Tick’s video for “Main Street.” One fart and the band would have gone up in smoke.
Woody recently caught them in Chicago and had this to say:
This video is almost as crazy as their live show. The Chicago show saw beers and cocktails flying, a possible McCauley dong-sighting (we were standing in back but someone said he was playing his guitar with his dong), guys on other guys shoulders, a faux makeout session between McCauley and Ian O’Neill and an encore that had more people on stage than the end of The Last Waltz. They also found time to mix in covers from John Prine, Nirvana, The Mats and a rocking cover of “Leroy Brown.” It was either one of the more surreal shows I have seen or I am getting old.
I was talking about Deer Tick to some guys that had never heard of them before. My description was one of an old time rock and roll band who are about drinking canned beer, smoking reds and wearing their hearts on their sleeves. In any Deer Tick album, you’re going to have a few moments that are filled with no-holds barred raucous behavior, a few moments that are truly sentimental and some in between.
Deer Tick’s fourth album, Divine Providence, starts off on the raucous side and has much more of that hard party vibe than their previous (and much darker album), The Black Dirt Sessions. Two of the first three songs could blend seamlessly into The Replacements Let It Be or Pleased To Meet Me without missing a beat. Opener, “The Bump,” proudly boasts “We’re full grown men, but we act like kids.” As a 41 y/o dad of three, I can relate. My wife has said the same to me on more than a couple of occasions. “Let’s All Go To The Bar” is almost juvenile in its approach, but will no doubt prove to be a concert favorite. I know for sure that I will be singing right along with them, canned beer in hand over head.
But while these songs are great fun and the comments between songs like “you fuckin’ douchebag,” “let’s go get drunk,” and various belches are slightly entertaining, an album that contained nothing else would grow very tired. And it’s the ability to shift gears into a more serious side that makes Deer Tick so compelling. “Main Street” and “Chevy Express” give McCauley the freedom to bear his soul.
And lest we fall into believing that Deer Tick is John McCauley and nothing else. Drummer Dennis Ryan takes the mic for the very deep “Clownin’ Around” and guitarist Ian O’Neil handles “Now It’s Your Turn” and the rocking “Walkin Out The Door.” And while it is a little jarring to not hear McCauley’s grizzled vocals at first, “Clownin’ Around” and “Walkin Out The Door” have become two of my favorites.
As a longtime fan of the aforementioned Replacements, Divine Providence has really struck a nerve with me and I can’t seem to get it out of the player. Where it stands in Deer Tick’s catalog is going to be up for discussion. But I will say this is their best effort in capturing their live performance. For a taste of how they made it, see below. Parts 1 and 2 can be found here.
They’ll be in Chicago on 11/14 at Reggie’s. I plan on being there and HearYa has a couple of free tix to hand out. Email us at freeshit@hearya.com to enter.
Middle Brother is an indie-rock supergroup of sorts. It’s the combined effort of Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, John McCauley of Deer Tick and Matthew Vasquez of Delta Spirit. Today, they released their first single “Me, Me, Me” and the full album will be delivered on March 1.
I’m very eager to hear this. There’s no shortage of songwriting talent in this bunch, but I’m sure there is also no shortage of debauchery when these artists collide.
Its been almost three years since I first saw Deer Tick perform at a Brooklyn apartment. Since then, the band has become one of the most prolific outfits, releasing two albums, an EP, and touring consistently. On Friday night, John McCauley brought his latest lineup of the band to Webster Hall for the final date of their month-long North American tour.
The night began early with a solo set from Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit. Although admittedly unaccustomed to being on stage alone, Vasquez delivered a strong set that included Delta Spirit songs, Bushwick Blues, and St Francis, and covers of Paul Simon, and Neil Youngs “Tell Me Why.” Vasquez was joined onstage by McCauley for a new song and a future collaboration between the two was alluded to on multiple occasions with Vasquez advising the crowd at one point that “if youre on the wagon, dont come to the show”.
Once Deer Tick took the stage, McCauley seemed intent on reminding the crowd that he is indeed off the wagon. Throughout their powerhouse set, McCauley alternated between bottles of beer, which he opened with his teeth, and whiskey. Its these antics, combined with Deer Ticks visceral sound that conjure thoughts of a roadhouse where the band plays behind a cage and the crowd is more interested in fighting among themselves, or perhaps the band, than listening to music.
Thankfully, the crowd at Webster Hall didnt appear to be looking for a fight, and was for the most part rather enraptured by Deer Tick as they poured through songs from each of their three albums. Highlights included White Lies, Spend The Night, Christ Jesus, Smith Hill, and Choir of Angels. Each song demonstrated McCauleys impressive command of the music and of the stage that make Deer Tick one of the best live bands around today. However, the most defining moment came during a slow tempo and sensual version of Ashamed, in which McCauley sauntered around the stage like a female lounge singer from a bygone era. The show concluded after all the bottles of silly string (supplied by the band) had been exhausted, and the drum kit kicked over, with a beautiful a capella version of Dirty Dishes.
As I was leaving the concert, I suggested to a friend that Deer Tick is a throw back to a different sound and era. She asked what sound I was referring to, and after some deliberation the closest I could come up with was Chuck Berry or Ronnie Hawkins. The comparison isnt perfect, but the one thing that is for sure, is long gone are the days of seeing Deer Tick in a loft for a $3 donation.
Let’s be honest. HearYa has lost some mojo since that Jill Andrews live session. I found that someone close to me is very sick, then took a business trip to California, and then back to a shitstorm at the office and sleepless nights at home with a toddler and newborn. I’ve been in a vegetative [...]
Deer Tick has put the finishing touches on their new album, The Black Dirt Sessions, and they’ve offered up a free mp3 called “20 Miles” for fans. I haven’t heard the new album, but it reportedly explores darker themes like death, mortality, and the existence of God. I had a short chat with John McCauley [...]
Damn. I’ve been fighting battles with hosting companies, blogging software, airports, airplanes and bi-coastal trips. It’s good to sit down with a drink and listen to some music again. “Smith Hill” is the second track offered up by Deer Tick and their recent release Born On Flag Day. Get in there while I track down [...]
I am too old for this shit. I’m writing this the morning after seeing my third show in three nights. First up was The Deep Dark Woods from Saskatoon at The Hideout. They drew a solid crowd for a Tuesday night and for a band that is just starting to buildup a fan base here [...]
Deer Tick’s debut release, War Elephant, was a tremendous album that has yet to leave my rotation. After hearing some new tunes at SXSW, I’ve been waiting for Born On Flag Day. It’s always a good feeling when you’re looking forward to a release and it exceeds all of your expectations. On War Elephant, John [...]
Deer Tick is all set to release the long anticipated follow up to their debut, War Elephant, on June 23rd via Partisan Records. The new album is called Born on Flag Day. The cover art is above. “Easy” is below. Deer Tick – Easy Tweet
