I was introduced to Deer Tick last year when I caught the band’s performance at the Echoplex. On stage, frontman John McCauley was raw and unapologetic, and I left that evening stunned, and not just because I stumbled out of the venue with broken eyeglasses.

Seeing as it was Cinco de Mayo, a holiday now built around the concept of drinking, I was prepared for more mayhem this past Saturday. While there were moments of abandon in the evening, the band kept it mostly reigned in. And yes, I say this despite the fact that McCauley’s last few moments on El Rey’s stage involved him pulling down his pants and playing his guitar with his freed “member.”

McCauley, sporting a bowtie with his collared shirt, admitted he (with the slightest bit of sheepishness) was on a combination of things, including vitamins, during their last appearance in Los Angeles.

Regardless, the evening was enjoyable and Deer Tick are one of those bands that come across better live than on record, and appreciated by individuals that some may find surprising. In tribute to fallen Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (MCA), Deer Tick launched into a faithful cover of “Fight For Your Right (To Party)” with the help of opening act Turbo Fruits. Despite the many attempts to call her up on stage, Ke$ha did not join in.

The evening ended with gusto with an appropriate cover of Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba,” and a rousing “Let’s All Go to the Bar.” Photos by Leslie Kalohi

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