Preview: Deertick, Dawes, Shed Alfred at Emo's

Photo by Kendall Pavan

Deertick, more at Emo’s Inside
Thursday, July 9
Emos (603 Red River St)
$10, All Ages
[info] | [tickets]

Do you know and like Providence roots-rockers Deertick? If you answered yes, you're as cool as Brian Williams and you're definitely going to want to see the band when they hit Emo's tonight. If not, you're actually less cool than Brian Williams and you'd better get on board with the 'Tick before Greta Van Susteren beats you to it.

With a folksy sound that can also lend itself to the anger and cacophony of Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Deertick can do it up calm and clean but turn rough and rugged real quick. Supporting their June release Born on Flag Day, the band have found their groove - no longer amateurs but hardly tired veterans.

Deertick are on a summer tour with Dawes, who join them here. Another band that could fit into the mold of alternative folk, Dawes are perhaps quieter than their tourmates but don't lose themselves completely in subtlety, letting group harmonies and acoustic flourishes lead their compositions.

As is often the case, a local act also makes an appearance on this out of town bill. The musician in question is Shed Alfred, who may perform solo or instead play with "whoever I can get to show up and and take it serious." Speaking of serious, Alfred does like his music tongue in cheek, as evidenced on the disparaging ode to employment "Work Work Work."

Deertick: [website] [myspace]
Dawes: [website] [myspace]
Shed Alfred: [myspace]