With a curse like a knife

Rhode island–based alt-country act Deer Tick belted out the lyrics to “The Bump” — "We're full grown men, but we act like kids, we'll face the music next time we roll in!" — as the Belly Up crowd joined in and danced along. The band’s new record may be titled Negativity, but there was nothing negative about their raucous performance. The five-piece stormed through a 20+ song set that spanned all of their studio releases.

Well known for their booze-infused shows, Deer Tick seemed to cut back some on the drinking, elevating their sound without abandoning their freewheeling ways or over-polishing the performance. Lead singer John McCauley's scratchy vocals “cut through the air with a curse like a knife” (from their song “Houston, TX”), while guitarist Ian O'Neil and drummer Dennis Ryan provided background vocals, cutting guitar riffs, and a driving backbeat.

The show climaxed with a rousing sing-along to the 2007 tune “Ashamed,” before the audience was spritzed and cooled down by shaken up bottles of beer during the closing song, “Let's All Go to the Bar.”

• Concert: Deer Tick
• Date: October 27
• Venue: Belly Up
• Seats: General admission