Deer Tick + Guards - Mission Theater (Portland, OR; Nov. 5, 2011)

It somewhat shames me to admit that Saturday night was my first venture to Mission Theater, because that place is definitely a sweet venue. The size and layout of the place allow for a perfect, intimate experience, and when it’s with a band such as Deer Tick, that cozy closeness is just what the doctor ordered. Don’t misinterpret that to mean this was a romantic-like concert (although there was a sexy on-stage moment during Deer Tick’s set – we’ll get to that later), but rather, know Mission Theater produced an excellent chance for the fans to be up close and personal with – who they made it seem, anyways – their favorite band.

Part of that obvious and visible love for Deer Tick could be explained by the band’s very recent album release, Divine Providence. It’s a rockin’ effort from the Rhode Island bunch, but it also touches on the alt-country and folk sounds they’ve been known to excel in before. A majority of the album’s lyrics lean toward that of a drinkin’ good time, and it seemed the crowd was there for what the music promised – especially as certain fellows pumped their pitchers of beer in the air as the music charged through the night. There’s also something to be said about the way Deer Tick project themselves as a regular, ‘we’re just like you’ kind of group, and it stems largely from the laid-back attitude and scraggly vocals of guitarist and lead singer John McCauley. One of his finest moments came when he laid down his guitar, grabbed a beer and a mic, and laid out the country-fied “Ashamed.” The song was a beauty, with McCauley’s raw and ragged vocals complemented expertly by the saxophone pianist Rob Crowell picked up to play. All of these kinds of ingredients can get a listener pretty comfortable during a Deer Tick set, and it can even leave a person feeling they’re watching a group of old friends jam out on the stage.

They had opened the set with “The Bump,” the first track off the new release, and its lyrics, “We’re full-grown men/But we act like kids,” couldn’t have been depicted better than the way it was by the crowd in front of them. Fans jumped wildly around, spastically waving their arms (and pitchers) in the air, looks of macho glee plastered on their faces. This continued as Deer Tick pumped out the fantastic Old West grunge of “Easy,” a song thick with sounds, yet played tight as could be – it was one of the best of the night. There was plenty more greatness to come, especially as the band members swapped lead vocals and added even more dimension to their songs. A fantastic version of this was the slowed down “Clownin’ Around,” which featured drummer Dennis Ryan matching his slightly hollowed out vocals to the antiquated lyrics, “And by now the hounds have surely caught my scent.”

Not long after McCauley sang, “You ask me if I love you,” from single “Funny Word,” he turned and began kissing guitarist Ian O’Neil, and the two continued to play their instruments as their lips remained locked. Definitely an unexpected moment that’s got me wondering if the two are an item, or just bored enough on the road that they decided to throw something daring into their set. No matter the reason, it only added to the excitement Deer Tick is. The number of vocal and style change-ups left the band far from boring, and their tackling of multiple genres seemed highly appreciated by nearly everyone in attendance. For example, “Twenty Miles” was cast in a slow-burning manner, as McCauley released wavering sweet vocals to make it an even dreamier, and somewhat haunted, adaptation of the recorded single. “Something To Brag About,” on the other hand, came screaming out like the band had become a ‘50s version of The Ramones. It was a terrific set from the East Coast boys, and it couldn’t have been done in a better Portland venue than Mission Theater.

Opener Guards‘ ever-changing music paired ever-so-appropriately with that of the headliners. Guards is a creation of Richie Follin, big brother to Cults’ singer Madeline Follin, and he put together some of his first songs for friends from MGMT, Chairlift and Willowz to join him in singing. I have no idea if any of these friends were onstage with Follin Saturday night, but those that were present put on a pretty likeable performance. Veering from wispy soft instrumentals to ‘90s alt-metal, and everything in between, Guards hammered out an immensely varied set, and were at their best at their most intense. One song even ventured into Deep Purple territory, with an opening very reminiscent to that of “Highway Star,” and it rolled into a throbber of a ballad.

As a whole, however, I was a bit turned off by Follin’s squeaky vocals and incorrect announcements. The band’s self-proclaimed “dance song” didn’t even get danceable until it was almost over, and even then, wasn’t much of a hip-swinging tune. Same with the one Follin said was a good song to make out to – midway through it, he asked us to clap along with him, then be as quiet as possible, right before he screamed into the mic and the music got heavy. Not exactly my kind of recipe for a make-out session, but maybe he’s got different views on romance than I do.

Guards finished their set by thanking the crowd for paying attention, and ended with a steady charger of a rock song. It made the less-than-pleasing parts of their set forgettable, and eagerly stirred the crowd for what was to come from their beloved Deer Tick. All in all, Mission Theater was carved into a rousing bar room of a joint this night, and the beer-pounding of the crowd highlighted the good-time having the bands onstage were immersed in. Definitely the kind of party music was made for.

DOWNLOAD: Deer Tick - Let's All Go To The Bar (MP3) or Follow us for more Deer Tick MP3s (Twitter)

Deer Tick review to your liking? You'll sweat:

Deer Tick + J. Roddy Walston + Quick and Easy Boys - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR Oct. 21, 2010)

Deer Tick - “Divine Providence” - 7.0

middle brother - “middle brother” - 7.5

Cave Singers + The Young Evils – Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Apr.22, 2011)

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