On March 3 Deer Tick played the Paradise between opener Dawes (gimmicky country rock) and headliner Middle Brother (which is actually just a sloppy combination of Dawes, Deer Tick and another band, Delta Spirit.)
I felt more as if I stumbled in to a house party hosted by Deer Tick and their friends than as if I was at a show. They started off with a pair of new songs and then dove in to favorite “Smith Hill” off their album Born On Flag Day (Partisan Records). Next they played a jazzy version of “Ashamed” from War Elephant (Revolver). It was during this song that it became clear that lead singer John McCauley was very drunk. The song included some beer gargling and some hands-free beer chugging. McCauley was also hilariously wearing a Deer Tick t-shirt.
In the middle of the set Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit and Middle Brother sauntered on stage to sing some songs including a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Racing In The Street” and Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me.”
They also brought on Chris Paddock to sing the song he wrote, “These Old Shoes.” They finished the set with “Christ, Jesus” and a messy cover of The Band’s “Down South In New Orleans” which they played with several members of the other bands.
I wasn’t particularly impressed with the set. It was a lot of fun, and Deer Tick was obviously having a blast, but I wish they got more into the music than the party atmosphere antics. There were just too many people coming on and off stage and switching instruments and chaos. But what you can expect from a folk band that sings of heavy drinking and broken hearts?
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