I'm not sure any collection of words or set of images can really do justice to what it's like to catch a Deer Tick show right now. This is a band in their prime. They don't care who you think they should be. They know who they are, they know what they're doing and they're perfectly fucking fine with it.
Now that's not to say they don't want you to like them. It's quite evident from lead man John McCauley's presence on stage that he wants you to enjoy yourself as much as the band enjoys playing. But make no mistake, these guys play because they love it, not because we love it.
Friday night at Royale, the five piece (hailing from the biggest littlest state in the union) were wrapping up an exhastive tour of the country hocking their latest release, Divine Providence. The album itself has been met with mixed reviews, but there's one thing that can't be denied: Divine Providence is as pure an expression of the band itself as has been released to date.
To back that up, you need do no more than be present at this particular evenings show. Or any show on the tour, from what I've been reading. Straight up rock and roll, singer-songwriter solos, up-tempo songs about serial killers, think pieces... it's all in there. And it's all out there for the audience to grab onto. Emotion fills pretty much every measure of the performance until it finally escalates to a violent end (check out the video below to see what I mean.) Some will say it's all been done before, but for me, seeing a band pour everything they've got into a performance will never get old.
Maybe it's the Bostonian in me (scratch that, I know it's the Bostonian in me,) but I keep asking myself: "How do they put on this kind of performance night after night?" That question is quickly followed by: "How long can they keep escalating their shows? When's the peak? Where's the shark?"
I won't pretend to have answers to any of those questions, but I tell ya what, I'm in for the long haul. I'm going to enjoy every moment of this ride.
As a bonus for those who could make the early curtain call, opening up for Deer Tick were another local favorite, The Felice Brothers. This Rhode Island crew, wrapping up a long year touring in support of their latest album, Celebration, Florida, have a rabid following who seem to blend in perfectly with those loyal to Deer Tick. And with good reason. They're one of the few bands I've seen that are capable of putting on the type of performance which would remain a memorable one when stacked up against the likes of Deer Tick. If the chance presents itself, don't take it lightly. See these fellas. Pronto.
Play videoDeer Tick set list courtesy of Maimed and Tamed:
The Bump
Easy
Baltimore Blues #1
Main Street
Chevy Express
Walkin’ Out The Door
Ashamed
Bastards of Young (Replacements)
Clownin' Around
Funny Word
Big God (Diamond Rugs track w/ Hardy Morris)
These Old Shoes (w/ Chris Paddock)
Now It's Your Turn
Miss K
Not So Dense
Mange
A Christmas Song
Houston, TX
Dirty Dishes
Something In The Way (Nirvana)
Two Hands (Townes Van Zandt)
Be Kind to Me (Michael Hurley)
Let’s All Go To The Bar
