Deer Tick is full of heart and a giving spirit, from their raucous, sometimes-sans-pants performances and the reaching depth of songs such as “Goodbye Dear Friend,” to the auction of their tour bus, which will help Oxfam America support victims of the Pakistan flood.
Looking at the tour schedule Deer Tick has been on for years, if the walls of the yellow bus could talk, well, one can only imagine the stories that would be told. As lead singer John J. McCauley III puts it, “We’ve played our asses off since the beginning and do not foresee slowing down anytime soon.”
Members McCauley, Ian O’Neil, Christopher Ryan, and Dennis Ryan, are now on their third album, The Black Dirt Sessions, released earlier this year on Partisan Records.
Although the …Sessions came out in the spring, the tempo and mood of the chorus of “Hand in My Hand” that says, matter-of-factly, “everyone is alone in this world” is more suited to the overcast and windy days of fall and winter. The spooky nature of “Blood Moon” complements two fingers of whiskey and the crackle of a fire as the mountains howl outside a frosty window.
On “Mange,” tongue clicking, one man band tactics, timey piano tinklings and sprinkling symbols subtly caress the contemplation of where one fits in this world. Then the guitar fervor rises like a volcano shooting lava and earth into the atmosphere, and at that point one doesn’t give a fuck where they fit. Spinning like the Tasmanian Devil takes priority.
Seventy-five percent of the proceeds from the auction of Deer Ticks 2001 GMC Savana Schoolbus will be donated to Oxfam America, which is assisting the estimated 17 million victims who have been affected by the flooding.
“The situation over there is so critical, but it seems that very few people are aware of it,” said McCauley. “Maybe it’s the stigma with that part of the world, I’m not sure. Either way, we feel really strongly that people should be more aware of the situation and hopefully we can help with that.”
If you’re interested in boosting Deer Tick’s donation, stop by the merch booth at the live shows that are continuing throughout the months of October and November. Or you can donate online here: http://oxfamamerica.org.
Deer Tick Tour Dates:
10/24 Seattle, WA – Neumos +
10/26 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
10/27 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge (The WaterCourse Foods Cart “Steamin’ Demon” will be outside of Larimer)
10/28 Omaha, NE – Bourbon Theatre
10/29 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
10/30 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
10/31 St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway !
11/02 Washington, DC – Black Cat
11/03 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
11/05 Providence, RI – AS220
11/06 Providence, RI – AS220 (matinee show)
11/06 Providence, RI – AS220 (late show)
11/10 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
11/11 Boston, MA – Royale
11/12 Newport, RI – Newport Blues Café
11/13 Newport, RI – Newport Blues Café
+ = w/ J. Roddy Walston and the Business! = w/ Band of Heathens
