Deer Tick’s irresistible folk-rock energy takes on a heightened form in the live setting, and their performance at the Echoplex was no exception. From the outset, frontman John McCauley communicated that the band was looking to have a good time complimented heavily with beer, and they brought their fans along for the ride.
Highlights included the lush, triumphant tones of “Choir of Angels” and drummer Dennis Ryan’s backwoods vocals on “Ashamed.” For their penultimate song, Deer Tick covered Nirvana’s “School,” taking their sound to a wholly grungier level. It was then that the gravel in McCauley’s vocal tone reached its peak. With half of the audience erupting kinetically and the other gazing in awe, it became clear that McCauley thrives on raw soulfulness.
Closing the show with “Let’s All Go to the Bar,” Deer Tick drove the audience to a final exultation in the name of the party that is rock n’ roll. On this note, Deer Tick demonstrated their prowess as truly versatile musicians who move their fans from emotional sensitivity to volatility. Whichever side of Deer Tick you choose to see them for, you are always guaranteed a kickass time.
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