Deerhoof is one of those bands I have seen so many times I have lost count now. First show: All Tomorrow’s Parties, Long Beach. Then gigs at these places – Troubador. Avalon. Coachella. Natural History Museum. More than a few times at the Echoplex. The ticket stubs are lost to time, the precise memories destroyed by substance intake – yet every time I’ve seen them they put on a stellar show. Top notch energy. I’ve never seen Deerhoof’s B-game, if they have one.

This appearance coincides with the release of their newest album, Deerhoof Vs. Evil. If you’ve been following the ‘Hoof, you need to check out this album as it contains many departures from their ‘usual sound’ but it’s all woven carefully into their signatures – the nearly heavy-metal guitars, surreal, childlike lyrics and powerful (yet often jazzy) drumming.

Honestly, is this man one of indie rock’s greatest drummers or WHAT.

I should mention, I believe they did at LEAST 4 encores last night.

Time for hipster hyperbole. If I could magically Inception myself into 3 bands, they’d be Deerhoof. Sonic Youth. The Kills. In that order.

See the rest of my Deerhoof pics here.