Having previously played in high school bands Kadaver, El Toro and Metro Savages, McCauley changed direction from the heavier rock music he had grown up with after discovering Hank Williams. ĭeer Tick began in December 2004 as a duo called My Other Face, a vehicle for John McCauley's songwriting. McCauley explained that inspiration for the name "Deer Tick" came while hiking in summer 2005 in the Morgan–Monroe State Forest near Bloomington, Indiana, where he found a deer tick on his scalp one evening, having never come into contact with one before despite having frequently gone camping and fishing as a child. They have also performed entire sets as Deervana, a Nirvana tribute band, including a show in September 2013 to mark the 20th anniversary of the band's third album In Utero. The band regularly performs cover versions in their live sets, including songs by the likes of The Replacements, Nirvana, John Prine, Hank Williams, the Beastie Boys, Warren Zevon and Sonny West. The band's music has been described as rock with folk, blues and country influences, although the band actively rebels against the country tag, stating "We’re proud not to sing with a twang". McCauley, guitarist Ian O'Neil, bassist Christopher Ryan and drummer Dennis Ryan. Partisan, Loose Music, Fargo Records, Feow!ĭiamond Rugs, Middle Brother, Happiness, Titus Andronicus, La Guillotine, GRSHN Lifestyle, 14 Foot 1, Stefan Couture And The Campfire Orchestraĭeer Tick is an American alternative rock- folk band from Providence, Rhode Island, composed of singer-songwriter John J. Performing at the Summer Sundae festival, Leicester, August 2012