Deer Tick @ Pier 54 – August 11
Words: Jeffrey Greenblatt
Photos: Jeremy Gordon
The concert weather gods were smiling down on Deer Tick last Thursday night for quite possibly one of the most gorgeous nights of the summer. The band delivered in what was the scheduled closing night performance for Hudson River Park’s free River Rocks concert series. With temperatures in upper 70s, a cool breeze coming off the water,and an awe inspiring sunset, the Providence-based act played a raucous, freewheeling set, that was punctuated by an exuberant and vocal crowd near the front of the stage, who repeatedly shouted out requests throughout the night.
[All photos by Jeremy Gordon]
The band’s 90-minute set featured fan favorites Baltimore Blues, Little White Lies and Ashamed as well as a healthy dose of new material including what is sure to be a the band’s new signature tune – the punk-inspired Let’s All Go To The Bar. Deer Tick also kicked down a diverse selection of covers, tackling everything from their debut of The Replacements’ Bastards Of Young to Tom Waits’ Innocent When You Dream, which lead singer John McCauley performed solo, as well as longtime Deer Tick staples La Bamba and Maybellene – which got an assist from a member of literary punk-rockers Titus Andronicus, and a fiery show closing take on Townes Van Zandt’s White Freight Liner Blues.
In between McCauley was his usual affable self, sharing stories from the band’s day in New York, that included their decision to douse themselves in aftershave for their schedule press appearances, his fear of getting arrested by the “boat police” if they band played over their allotted time, and the declaration of “Fuck Mumford and Sons” prior to their encore.
READ ON for more from Deer Tick at Pier 54…
You couldn’t have ordered up a more perfect New York City night for Deer Tick’s free show at Pier 54 than last night, as temperatures hovered somewhere in the low
The summer concert season is upon us and the Hidden Track staff knows that it’s virtually impossible for us to afford every show we want to hit, and still be able to pay our insanely expensive New York City rents. Luckily for us, there are a plethora of fantastic free concerts throughout the summer that don’t cost a dime. We decided to weed through all the listings and present to you our 4th Annual NYC Free Summer Concert Picks. Let’s take a look…
HT Recommends: Medeski, Martin & Wood / Josh Roseman & The King Froopy All Stars / Jim Black’s AlasNoAxis
Where: Central Park Summerstage
When: Saturday, June 11, 7:00PM
Official Info: The trio’s combination of jazz, funk, “avant-noise” and a million other musical impulses is nearly impossible to classify. Wide open: That’s the phrase that describes Medeski Martin & Wood’s musical sensibilities, attitude, and the spirit of adventure that the band has pursued for over two decades. The trio’s combination of jazz, funk, “avant-noise” and a million other musical impulses is nearly impossible to classify. Although the “jazz spirit” has been ever-present in their songs, the group has won over a substantial audience that is packed with alternative-rock lovers, jam-band aficionados and jazz heads.
The King Froopy All-Stars is an electric 12-piece project from celebrated trombonist and composer Josh Roseman. Featuring some of the edgiest voices harvested from Brooklyn’s new jazz scene, this electro-acoustic supergroup focuses world beat, spontaneous improvisation, dub, satire and psychedelia through Roseman’s unconventional lens. Able to simultaneously compel both your feet and the neocortex, this is what AAJ has called, “jazz-tinged party music with a master’s degree.”
AlasNoAxis is the culmination of famed jazz drummer, Jim Black’s years of experience on stage and in the studio with some of the world’s greatest composers and improvisors. The band’s 2000 self-titled debut, established a new standard for the cross-fertilization of rock, electro-acoustic and jazz, becoming the standard-bearer of “future jazz” and thrilling listeners with its powerhouse combination of virtuosity, rock emotion and noisy catharsis.
Other Free Shows At Central Park Summerstage: 6/22 – Reggie Watts / Natasha Leggero, 6/25 – Lee Fields & The Expressions / Fitz & The Tantrums / Andreya Triana / Rich Medina, 6/26 – Hugh Maskela / Freshly Ground / Somi, 6/29 – Comedy Central Park w. Jim Gaffigan & John Pinette, 7/2 – Everybody Love The Sunshine – Roy Ayers & The Jazz Mafia Symphony, 7/27 – Wanda Jackson / Imelda May, 8/6 – Shelebration! A Tribute To The Words Of Shel Silverstein, 8/7 – Friendly Fires / The Naked & Famous / Cults, 8/20 – Tiken Jah Fakoly / Meta & The Cornerstones / Los Rakas, 8/21 – Rakim / EPMD / Funkmaster Flex
READ ON for the rest of our list of free summer concerts in NYC…
The summer concert season is upon us and the Hidden Track staff know that it’s virtually impossible for us to afford every show we want to hit, and still be able to pay our insanely expensive New York City rents. Luckily for us, there are a plethora of fantastic free concerts throughout the summer that don’t cost a dime. We decided to weed through all the listings and present to you our 3rd Annual NYC Free Summer Concert Picks. Let’s take a look…
HT Recommends: She & Him / Oakley Hall
Where: The Beach @ Governors Island
When: Sunday, July 4, Beach Opens At 10 AM, Show 4 PM
Official Info: She & Him make music for an eternal springtime, when the temperature is warm enough to go riding with the top (or at least the windows) rolled down and the radio turned up. They occupy an alternate universe where the saddest of songs feel as warm as sun showers; the rain may be coming down, but somewhere nearby, everything looks bright. What began as a fascinating, no-strings attached collaboration on 2008’s Volume One has evolved into a bona fide, touring band, and She & Him are here to stay. Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward are as comfortable and complementary a musical pair as Les Paul and Mary Ford; hearing them again on Volume Two feels like getting together with two old friends. This time, the harmonies have grown more angelically layered, the string arrangements more dramatic, the songwriting even sharper and more confident. But, as with Volume One, the prevailing mood is bittersweet, dreamy, and romantic.
Other Free Shows At Governors Island: 6/5 – Yeasayer, 7/3 – Portugal. The Man / Alberta Cross, 7/10 – Lucero, 7/16 – Caribou / Phantogram / The Chain Gang of 1974, 8/8 – Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band / Justin Townes Earle / Dawn Landes & The Hounds, 8/14 – Neon Indian, 8/15 – Dr. Dog / Cheif
READ ON for the rest of our list of free summer concerts in NYC…
