Las Vegas Weekly

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There’s nothing wrong with a little boy-on-boy action — even when it’s on stage in front of the crowded courtyard audience at the Beauty Bar. In fact, that might make it even better; especially if two flannel-fitted members of indie folk-rockers Deer Tick do the lip locking.

When singer John McCauley planted a big wet one — this was no quick peck — on guitarist Ian O'Neil mid-set at Wednesday’s show, it just added to the performance’s overall excellence.

Photo: Laura Davis

Man kiss

The Rhode Island quartet showed up its previous appearance at the Beauty Bar last summer, playing a set that included some new material mixed in with older fan favorites. There were also some big-name covers, like Tom Petty’s “Breakdown,” ZZ Top’s “Cheap Sunglasses” and The Replacements’ “Can’t Hardly Wait” thrown in.

McCauley scooted the other members off stage to play “Diamond Ring’s 2007” and “Art Isn’t Real (City of Sin)” solo. With the later getting a slowed-down makeover. “That’s the R&B version,” McCauley concluded upon hitting the last note.

Photo: Laura Davis

Darby O'Gill fiddle player Tristan Moyer on stage with Deer Tick during Wednesday's show at the Beauty Bar.

Deer Tick acknowledged its Vegas connection by bringing fiddle player Tristan Moyer from local Irish pub band Darby O’Gill onstage to provide the female vocal portion of John Prine’s “In Spite of Ourselves.”

Chugging PBRs and taking shots didn’t hinder the band’s ability to put on a great show. By the time it closed out its set — choosing to forgo the pretense of an encore and just play straight through — fans could go home happy, glad they braved the night’s windstorm for the extended outdoor set.