River Rocks

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…