iradiophilly | Culture - Deer Tick Performs Lengthy Set At Philadelphia's Union Transfer 11/6/13 (review + setlist)

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Deer Tick Performs Lengthy Set At Philadelphia's Union Transfer 11/6/13 (review + setlist)

by: SteveKane - Broomall, PA
started: 11/11/13 1:48 pm | updated: 11/11/13 1:50 pm

Rhode Island champions and musicians extraordinaire Deer Tick are back and this time with a new full length record entitled Negativity released this past September on Partisan Records. On November 6th, John McCauley and his band made their way to Philadelphia for a fantastic performance at the Union Transfer on Spring Garden. Touring extensively for the new record, Deer Tick shows signs of maturing and becoming a fully deserving renowned rock act. On their 5th official release, the band appears stronger than ever and in immaculate form. Photos courtesy of Emily Page Townsend.

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It was an enjoyable and comfortable fall evening with Halloween just over and the need for an entertaining and festive time, the perfect conditions were in check for a Deer Tick show. Since their debut in 2004, Deer Tick has developed a dedicated following and rightfully so. The songwriting of John McCauley proves to be confident and full with vigor and storytelling fit for avid folk listeners while nodding to your favorite melodic rock bands of the '60s as well as the punk aesthetic of the '90s. A staple act of the Newport Folk Festival held in Rhode Island, Deer Tick touches base with real rock and roll, authentic and genuine musicianship immersed with character and charm. And now with their new album, Negativity, Deer Tick has an arsenal of songs aiding to their fantastic live show repertoire.

Opening act of the night were J. Roddy Walston and The Business, and by 9:00pm the floor in front of the main stage in the Union Transfer was filled from front to back. Walston and The Business provided upbeat rock music sending the crowd into a lively dance party. Bringing back the roots of classic rock music and crowd participation, the band was a definite highlight of the evening. The Cleveland, Tennessee rockers filled the entire concert hall with their presence of pure and energetic rock nâ€™ roll. Warming up the audience with their incredible liveliness Walston and The Business got the audience ready for the headlining act to take the stage.

The crowd gave cheerful applause as the main act Deer Tick took the stage at the Union Transfer. The stage set up was minimal yet very effective, with a backdrop with the band name in giant letters and a neon sign displaying Negativity, the title of the latest album by Deer Tick. John McCauley wearing a full piece pink suit sporting flowers, and to quote him "custom made from a couch." As the band got situated on stage it was very apparent how natural the band is on stage, "Welcome to our little party here," John said to the eager crowd. They started the show off right into an honest rendition of the first single from Negativity entitled, "The Rock" complete with a horn section. Deer Tick currently consists of the originator and singer/songwriter/guitarist John McCauley, guitarist Ian O'Neil, drummer Dennis Ryan, and bassist Christopher Dale Ryan. The band is in full form and definitely on their game.

In most recent Deer Tick news, the band recently played a set in New York as Deervana, playing the entire In Utero record by Nirvana front to back in honor of its 20th anniversary to incredibly rave reviews. Having the band live right on stage in Philly is phenomenal, seeing the band stronger than ever is a reassuring reminder of the state of rock music. The next song the band played was "Main Street", a fan favorite from their Divine Providence album. Another great aspect of a Deer Tick show is the variation and spectrum of new material and how it meshes with the classic songs from the band. There is a level of excellence within a Deer Tick set, where the thoughtfulness and attention to detail radiates without detracting from the fleeting sense of tongue-in-cheek fun within the set.

The full collaboration within the band is much more prevalent and perfected with the new record. The set continued to include a track from Negativity where guitarist Ian O'Neil sings entitled, "The Dream's In The Ditch." The song proved to be a fantastic representation of where the band stands today with John McCauley singing incredible vocal harmony, a full horn section, great rhythm, keyboards and a fleet of guitars providing a remarkable orchestrated performance. One of the best songs on the new record translates beautifully live.

More intimate and stripped down songs were included within the set, including new track entitled "Hey Doll." With John McCauley playing the piano and singing the songs shows just how much he has grown as a songwriter and proficient musician with awesome introspective lyrics. The set carried on with other fan favorites such as "Dirty Dishes" from Deer Tick's debut record War Elephant before closing the set with an outstanding version of Easy from their album Born On Flag Day.

As Deer Tick left the stage, the crowd started demanding the return of the band. Shortly after, Deer Tick returned to the stage at the Union Transfer in Philadelphia for an encore. They started the encore with the astonishing song "Ashamed" as the crowd genuinely sung along with powerful harmony. Deer Tick closed their performance at the Union Transfer with a track from Divine Providence called, "Let's All Go To The Bar" with beer appropriately being sprayed into the crowd. The audience was left speechless and fortified with a full serving of stupendous rock and roll. All in all Deer Tick proves to be on their game with their newest release Negativity and a strong live show. It's no surprise Philadelphia welcomes Deer Tick with open arms, for such genuine, honest and intelligent music is sought after in an age of carbon copy electronic and lifeless droid stage shows.

Deer Tick
Setlist
Union Transfer (11/6/2013)
01 The Rock
02 Main Street
03 The Curtain
04 Just Friends
05 The Dreamâ€™s in the Ditch
06 Baltimore Blues No. 1
07 Big House
08 Clownin' Around
09 Standing at the Threshold
10 Hey Doll
11 Mange
12 Spend the Night / I Canâ€™t Help It (If Iâ€™m Still In Love With You) (Hank Williams cover)
13 Mr. Sticks
14 Thyme
15 Dirty Dishes
16 Sheâ€™s Not Spanish
17 Miss K >
18 12 Bar Blues (NRBQ cover)
19 Trash
20 The Bump
21 Easy
â€”â€”encoreâ€”â€”
22 Ashamed
23 Letâ€™s All Go to the Bar