May 20
Deer Tick w/ Turbo Fruits
Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St.
9 p.m., $13 in advance/$15 day-of-show, onepercentproductions.com
On Divine Providence, 2011’s booziest batch of rock ‘n’ roll, Rhode Island’s Deer Tick shambled beautifully and blurry through songs that went from barroom rally cries to overly-creepy first-person imaginings of John Wayne Gacy. What pulls it all together is the band’s confident approach to roots rock that steers away from faked twang, but keeps in a decidedly rowdy human touch. Led by John J. McCauley III, Deer Tick’s live shows have taken on a vibe not too different from their latest album. They rock loose-limbed, but like in the throes of a drunkenly religious conviction. They stretch out ballads until tear meets beer and then they cap it off with an ever-evolving list of covers, which are served as a funny wink, a knowing nod and a sly smile.