Deer Tick Cover Bruce Springsteen

Deer Tick are no strangers to cover songs. The Providence, RI band used to play Nirvana cover sets as Deervana, and have long sprinkled cover songs throughout their live shows. They just released a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark," and it's just one of those covers that make perfect sense. I can't think of a band more perfectly suited to taking on one of The Boss' most iconic songs. It's a very faithful, with Deer Tick's version including a little more fuzz and twang in the guitars. It's one of the best everyman anthems ever made, and Ian O'Neill nails it brilliantly.

Ian O'Neill says of "Dancing in the Dark":

"For me, 'Dancing in the Dark' isn't a song about romance, but instead a desperate plea to break out of some degraded, stagnant situation. The narrator is filled with angst, self doubt, and the only way out is to the sheer force of unwavering will power. Bruce really shows us who he is on this one and it looks an awful lot like the rest of us."

You can watch the visualizer for Deer Tick's version of "Dancing in the Dark" below, and is available for purchase and streaming through ATO Records here. For more on Deer Tick, check out the band's website.

First Listen: New Releases for 16 June 2023

Artist: MAN ON MAN
Album: Provincetown
Quick Thoughts: Don't let the name, cover, album title, or song titles fool you here. Well, I mean, yes, there is definitely an obvious throughline in MAN ON MAN's brand of grunge-tinged rock music released in the middle of Pride, but it shouldn't be made to fool anyone - this is a solid, catchy rock album with truly catchy songs and a memorable sound that harkens back to the golden alt-rock era while still being modern. I truly enjoyed this, and it's worth the time this week.
Songs of Note: "Take It From Me," "Showgirls," "Piggy," "Gloryhole," "Hush"

Artist: La Sécurité
Album: Stay Safe!
Quick Thoughts: I've never loved the term "art-[genre]," it feels like a Spotify thing instead of a really solid way to describe the sound of an act that might have even a little flourish. La Sécurité is labeled art-punk, and sure, in that it's punk-leaning alt-rock with some flair along with the edge, it's great and thoughtful rock music with a little more to it overall. Really enjoyed this one as a pleasant unknown surprise.
Songs of Note: "Le Kick," "Waiting for Kenny," "Hot Topic," Sleepy Rebellion"

Artist: Brennen Leigh
Album: Ain't Through Honky Tonkin' Yet
Quick Thoughts: Brennen Leigh is a roots favorite around these parts, and this latest album is just a lot of fun. It's pure, even vintage-sounding country, making absolutely no question about the classics that inform the songwriting throughout the entire runtime, and it's guaranteed to make you smile. It's just a great record, and would be a top recommendation in a busy week.
Songs of Note: "Running Out of Hope, Arkansas," "Somebody's Drinking About You," "I Ain't Through Honky Tonkin' Yet," "The Bar Should Say Thanks"

Artist: Deer Tick
Album: Emotional Contracts
Quick Thoughts: Ken and I have been fans of Deer Tick for well over a decade now, and this definitely feels like the band is playing for the big time, but without losing its heart and soul. This one's for fans of Jason Isbell and Drive-by Truckers, the sort of roots-influenced rock music that has the opportunity for a popular explosion. I wish these guys the best, as they deserve it, and hopefully this is the record that shows the rest of the world.
Songs of Note: "If I Try to Leave," "Forgiving Ties," "Once in a Lifetime," "Disgrace"

Of note:

* Home is Where - the whaler (Speaking as someone who doesn't care much for emo, this is quite good.)
* King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnnation * Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman * Chocolate Hills - Yarns from the Chocolate Triangle * The Devil's Twins - HORNS * Gracie Abrams - Good Riddance * Eagle Noise - This Machine * Sigur Ros - ATTA * Bettye LaVette - LaVette! * Creep Show - Yawning Abyss * Possessed by Paul James - Fighting for Our Own Survival * Royal Thunder - Rebuilding the Mountain * May Rio - French Bath * Boris and Uniform - Bright New Disease * Den-Mate - Grow Up & Out * Amnesia Scanner and Freeka Tet - STROBE.RIP EPs:

* Night Tapes - Perfect Kindness * Spoon - Memory Dust * Hand Habits - Sugar the Bruise * Brian Eno - Five Light Paintings * Sasha Khan and Patience - Adventures in Wonderland EP * Ignez and Rodhad - VERDUROUS Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Kraak and Smaak - Twenty Also out:

* Pelicanman - Planet Chernobyl * Killer Mike - MICHAEL

Live Shows: Deer Tick, Cisco Brewers, Portsmouth, NH 6/14/23

Wednesday night Deer Tick kicked off their monster tour supporting their fantastic new album Emotional Contracts in Portsmouth, NH, which was John McCauley's birthday (aka Flag Day). It ended up being a brilliant and exhilarating night of music even though it had one of the rockiest of starts.

The stage at Cisco Brewers is basically a parking lot with a stage at the end in the middle of an industrial park. But it's actually set up really nicely with a grassy hill over on the side for lounging and better views of the stage. I got there right as opener Rafay Rashid started, playing a laid back version of alt-rock meets roots music. They only played four or five songs when someone from the venue took to the stage to announce they had to pause the show due to thunderstorms passing through the area, for everyone to head indoors, and it would probably last about an hour.

It turned out to last about two and a half hours. There was little to no communication between the venue and the assembled crowd as to what was happening, and I know I assumed the show was being called off. The evening was advertised as lasting until 10:00, so as that hour came closer and closer, I became more discouraged and annoyed. I know no one can control a storm, and I certainly don't want anyone hurt, but communication would have been nice. I started wishing I had picked literally any other way to spend my evening, and debating joining the people who had already bailed on the night. Finally, I noticed a large number of people near the door head outside, so I wandered out to see if anything was happening. Turns out they were hurriedly setting up the stage for Deer Tick to finally start the show around 9:50.

Deer Tick had a monumental task to make the evening worth it, and they were more than up to the task. Before they started, there was an excitement in the crowd I haven't felt in years. It was a mixture of giddiness that all that waiting wasn't for nothing, and that Deer Tick have earned a die hard following in the past decade plus. They took the stage wearing party hats and with the crowd serenading John McCauley with a terrible rendition of "Happy Birthday." And then the rock started.

Surprisingly, the band didn't play anything off of Born on Flag Day. They started off with two songs off of the upcoming Emotional Contracts, and despite how new the songs were, the crowd knew them by heart. In fact, three of the first five songs were from the upcoming album before Deer Tick busted out a version of Jimmy Lloyd's (or NRBQ's) "I Got a Rocket in My Pocket," which is such a perfect cover for them. They also covered Santo & Johnny's "Tear Drop" later in the set, but it was played so closely to the end of another song that most people didn't notice, even after McCauley pointed it out.

I've been going to see Deer Tick for thirteen years now, from dive bars to festival stages and venues in between. This was the best I've ever seen them. The finally feel poised to just explode into the (semi) mainstream, and they deserve it. The show was finally called off at 11:15 due to noise ordinances, and McCauley kept profusely apologizing for not being able to play their entire set. John, if you're reading this, none of us minded. You played a brilliant show for nearly ninety minutes and played seventeen songs. You could have just ended the show and no one would have felt shorted. I'll definitely see you next time.

Deer Tick - "If I Try to Leave"

Photo by CJ Harvey

We can all name bands we loved, but then changed to a more mainstream sound and just lost us. It's not because we're giant music snobs (well... maybe a little) but that they changed everything about what we loved about them to try to become huge stars. While the singles from Deer Tick's upcoming album have definitely been more mainstream than they usually sound, they have not compromised a single thing to get there. The latest single, "If I Try to Leave," shows more of Deer Tick's natural progression than a complete left turn to try to get some arena rock money. Everything that has made us fans since War Elephant and Born on Flag Day through Negativity and Mayonnaise is there. If anything, "If I Try to Leave" incorporates all of Deer Tick's sounds into one cohesive, brilliant single. It has country, their huge alt-rock sound, traces of indie rock... everything Deer Tick has built towards is audible in "If I Try to Leave."

John McCauley (vocals/guitar) says if the new single:

“The overall theme of this song is family and how I’ve come to rely on it. I need my family as a grounding force in my life. My survival depends on it, and I like it that way.” 

You can watch the video for "If I Try to Leave" below. Emotional Contracts is due out June 16 on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Deer Tick, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

6/14 - Portsmouth NH @ Cisco Brewers

6/15 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/16 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/17 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird

6/21 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

6/22 - Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI Annex

6/23 - Milwaukee WI @ Summerfest

6/24 - Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow (SOLD OUT)

6/25 - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Showboat Saloon (SOLD OUT)

6/27 - Ft Collins @ Washington's

6/29 - Stanford, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre*

6/30 - Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival

7/1 - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater*

7/2/23 - Canby, OR @ Clackamas County Fairgrounds*

7/4 - Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amp*

7/5 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo*

7/6 - Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theatre*

7/8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*

7/9 - Dillon, CO @ Lake Dillon Amphitheatre*

7/11 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre*

7/12 - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's*

7/14 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*

7/15 - Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*

7/16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Wynn Las Vegas*

8/03 - Baltimore, MD @ WTMD First Thursday Festival

8/04 - Fairfield, CT @ The Warehouse at FTC

8/05 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes

10/12 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

10/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

10/15 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East

10/17 - Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre

10/19 - New Orleans, LA @ Chickie Wah Wah

10/20 - Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater

10/21 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

10/22 - Ft Worth, TX @ Tulips

11/8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

11/9 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

11/10 - Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

11/11 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House

11/12 - Homer NY @ Homer Center for the Arts

11/14 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

11/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

11/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

11/18 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

11/24 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

11/25 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

* Supporting Jason Isbell

Deer Tick - "Once in a Lifetime"

Photo by CJ Harvey

This upcoming album from Deer Tick is shaping up to be one of their finest yet. While the legend of Deer Tick states that John McCauley came up with the sound while snowed in with a bottle of whiskey and albums from Nirvana and Hank Williams, that song is pretty much gone with "Once in a Lifetime." This new song has a sense of ease and joy throughout. It's a straightforward alt-rock song that is just begging to be heard during the summer, especially with the vocal harmonies that are straight out of the 1960's. The song feels like a New England working class version of a more California sound. It's the sound of a beach with cold water and less surfing. "Once in a Lifetime" is the soundtrack to drinking your Dell's frozen lemonade.

You can listen to "Once in a Lifetime" below. Emotional Contracts is due out June 16th on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Deer Tick, check out their website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

6/5 - Deerfield, MA @ Tree House Brewery (SOLD OUT)

6/7 - South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

6/8 - Canandaigua, NY @ Lincoln Hill Farms

6/9 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/10 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/12 - New York, NY @ Rough Trade (Limited Space)

6/14 - Portsmouth NH @ Cisco Brewers

6/15 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/16 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/17 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird

6/21 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

6/22 - Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI Annex

6/23 - Milwaukee WI @ Summerfest

6/24 - Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow (SOLD OUT)

6/25 - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Showboat Saloon (SOLD OUT)

6/27 - Ft Collins @ Washington's

6/29 - Stanford, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre*

6/30 - Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival

7/1 - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater*

7/2/23 - Canby, OR @ Clackamas County Fairgrounds*

7/4 - Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amp*

7/5 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo*

7/6 - Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theatre*

7/8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*

7/9 - Dillon, CO @ Lake Dillon Amphitheatre*

7/11 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre*

7/12 - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's*

7/14 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*

7/15 - Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*

7/16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Wynn Las Vegas*

10/12 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

10/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

10/15 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East

10/17 - Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre

10/19 - New Orleans, LA @ Chickie Wah Wah

10/20 - Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater

10/21 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

10/22 - Ft Worth, TX @ Tulips

11/8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

11/9 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

11/10 - Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

11/11 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House

11/12 - Homer NY @ Homer Center for the Arts

11/14 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

11/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

11/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

11/18 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

11/24 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

11/25 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

* Supporting Jason Isbell

Deer Tick - "Forgiving Ties"

Photo by CJ Harvey

Deer Tick are one of those bands that are constantly evolving while still sounding like themselves. They're no longer the Hank Williams meets Nirvana band, or even the rootsy party rockers. On their latest single "Forgiving Ties," Deer Tick are sounding quite dance friendly. It's kind of a party song, in a way but it's a little too introspective to really rock a party. It's a little New Wave-ish, or at the very least some early 80's Tom Petty influence on this one. As always with Deer Tick, it's a fun song even if it's a little heavy. Also interesting is that "Forgiving Ties" features Ian O'Neil and John McCauley sharing vocal duties. (This one is definitely an O'Neil song with McCauley handling a few lines and backing vocals.) While it's not a complete departure, this one sees Deer Tick trying some new things while still being Deer Tick.

Ian O'Neil says of the new song:

“The song is essentially a metaphor for the fear that results from a sudden traumatic event, and how to move forward and take care of yourself and your loved ones."

You can watch the video for "Forgiving Ties" below. Emotional Contracts is de out June 16 on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Deer Tick, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

6/5 - Deerfield, MA @ Tree House Brewery

6/7 - South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

6/8 - Canandaigua, NY @ Lincoln Hill Farms

6/9 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/10 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/12 - New York, NY @ Rough Trade

6/14 - Portsmouth NH @ Cisco Brewers

6/15 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/16 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/17 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird

6/21 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

6/22 - Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI Annex

6/23 - Milwaukee WI @ Summerfest

6/24 - Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow (SOLD OUT)

6/25 - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Showboat Saloon (SOLD OUT)

6/27 - Ft Collins @ Washington's

6/29 - Stanford, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre*

6/30 - Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival

7/1 - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater*

7/2/23 - Canby, OR @ Clackamas County Fairgrounds*

7/4 - Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amp*

7/5 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo*

7/6 - Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theatre*

7/8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*

7/9 - Dillon, CO @ Lake Dillon Amphitheatre*

7/11 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre*

7/12 - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's*

7/14 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*

7/15 - Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*

7/16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Wynn Las Vegas*

10/12 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

10/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

10/15 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East

10/17 - Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre

10/19 - New Orleans, LA @ Chickie Wah Wah

10/20 - Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater

10/21 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

10/22 - Ft Worth, TX @ Tulips

11/8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

11/9 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

11/10 - Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

11/11 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House

11/12 - Homer NY @ Homer Center for the Arts

11/14 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

11/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

11/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

11/18 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

11/24 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

11/25 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

* Supporting Jason Isbell