Deerhunter Deep Throat

Think freakshow meets Hotlanta meets heroin overdose.

By David Callicott

Click here for more photos of Deerhunter at CMJ!

Weird, above.

Deerhunter is weird. And it’s not just because singer Brad Cox is so weird, although that does have a lot to do with it (and, no, we’re not making fun of his Marfan syndrome—we’re talking about the microphone deep-throating thing). They just have an uncomfortable stage presence, or some intangible strange quality that makes us want to avert our eyes. But not our ears. Their weird brand on experimental noise rock (abstract term, yes, but the best way we can describe their sound) is hypnotic and scary as shit, a seductive trip to the dark side. Like heroin.

Photography by Alexander Wagner

The Atlanta boys (now a quartet) get extra points for having to follow Dan Deacon’s over-the-top freakshow last night. No one wants to be on the bill after Deacon. And even though their drone can be somewhat downbeat, and their vibe spooky, they kept the masses engaged and the room filled till the bitter end. With minimal deep throating.