Live music review: Deerhunter slayed at Mohawk Monday with surprise guest
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There is something refreshing when a band consists of members playing various roles within its construct. Throughout their set at Austin’s Mohawk on Monday, Deerhunter band leader Bradford Cox managed tambourine, guitar, bass and lead vocals. Javier Morales masterfully operated the keyboard, synthesizers and saxophone. Guitarist Lockett Pundt took over lead vocals in a crowd-moving execution of song, “Desire Lines.” Josh McKay held everything together on the bass, despite picking up the lead guitar for a few impressive numbers. Moses Archuleta hammered the drums with precision. All of this as Cox quarterbacked the five-piece with ease. At one point, Cox picked up a small metal object, fidgeting with it, creating some interesting sounds. Just as the crowd looked intrigued, he set it down claiming, “I don’t even have any use for that thing….It’s a useless tool.”
In a warped fusion of ostensibly independent sounds, Deerhunter formulated a symphonic introductory performance piece. The sounds collided and meshed, mesmerizing the Mohawk crowd in a sonic whirlwind. The group transitioned into an intense staging of “Cryptograms,” further hyping the crowd. But it was when they began “What Happens To People” that Deerhunter established pathos through performance, developing an emotional context to the already energized set. This continued later in the evening with an uplifting delivery of “Futurism,” a tune that is certain to resonate in one’s ears for days after listening. Deerhunter knew their crowd, and Cox knew exactly where he was.
Appealing to the Austin audience, Bradford Cox, after introducing his band mates, said, “and you’ll have to guess who I am. I’m Britt Daniel… ‘The new, Bluetooth Britt Daniel.’ ” This was received with a laugh from the audience as the band broke into a shattering performance of “Nocturne.” Just as the number concluded, a shadowy figure, tall and slender in frame, emerged from the rear stage entrance, picked up a guitar and engaged in an extended jam conclusion to the song. It was, in fact, Spoon’s unmistakable lead singer, Daniel. The hometown indie rock legend and Cox, face-to-face in a guitar duel for the ages.
As the Atlanta five-piece began their encore, a fan yelled out, “Lake Somerset!” Deerhunter stopped; Cox turned to the band, as if requesting they oblige the audience member. After a brief, tense discussion regarding whether they should play the impromptu number, the instruments were tuned. Cox shared that he spent a lot of time in Lake Somerset with his childhood friends, and the musical number bearing that name kicked off.
After Cox inquired about the capacity of the venue, and a light flurry of numeric responses, the Deerhunter front man demanded that everyone start a band. “I want one thousand bands to start right here tonight, and one of you motherfuckers better open for us next time we’re here.” Cox continued teasing, “I’ve been doing this since 1993-94, and I still don’t know how to play.”
To anyone considering Deerhunter to be an arthouse, indie-rock band, don’t get it twisted. Cox emotively declared “We are punk as fuck…some punk rock motherfuckers!” After the stellar Mohawk performance, that statement seemed unnecessary and superfluous.
All photos: Brian Hillsman
