Blacklegged rock

Deer Tick should be one of my favourite bands ... they've been lauded as a folksy, psychedelic, sort of Band-like band. Unfortunately they weren't really doing it for me. Maybe because I was getting a bit peckish, or the buzz from Moreland & Arbuckle had worn off, or because they didn't get a good sound check. They're a group I'd really like to see in a club somewhere, because while they didn't move me, I'd definitely like to give them another shake.

John Joseph McCauley III leads the quintet; he named the band after noticing one of the parasites sucking the blood out of his leg.



If only more bands would follow the lead of Deer Tick (and Quebexico) and put their names on their shirts like Andrew Grant Tobiassen here.



Rhythm section action with drummer Dennis Michael Ryan.



John breaks out the fingerpicks.



Bassist Christopher Dale Ryan.



John sings! He has quite a growl.



Andrew sings!



Christopher can play this bit with his eyes closed.



And one last view from the crowd before my stomach demanded I go in search of Italian sausage.



As for the band, they've just wrapped up a tour with Neko Case and will play the first show of a European tour in London tonight.

• Show reminder: GretaKnights, I Call This Safety, Red October, Think Twice and Aimless Endeavor at Mavericks; Kalle Mattson plays again, this time at the Avant-Garde with Musk Ox and Field Assembly.