Deerhunter began in 2001 with the ambition of fusing the lulling hypnotic states induced by ambient and minimalist music with the klang and propulsion of garage rock. Formed by singer Bradford Cox and drummer/keyboardist Moses Archuleta, the band has had a number of lineups over the years. Currently, guitarists Lockett Pundt, Whitney Petty, and bassist Josh Fauver round out the band's sound. Cox's vocal style blends vocal experimentation along the lines of Meredith Monk or Yoko Ono with a more direct and punky howl inspired by the Fall's Mark E. Smith. The band signed their first record deal with local Atlanta indie Stickfigure Records for their 2005 debut: nominally untitled, the album is also known as Turn It Up, Faggot (a phrase that doesn't appear on the sleeve), an insult that Cox claimed was often thrown at the band during their gigs. Deerhunter then signed to the higher-profile indie Kranky (Godspeed You Black Emperor!, etc.) for their second album, Cryptograms, as well as the EP Fluorescent Grey. This fall the band will release their highly anticipated follow-up to Cryptograms, entitled Microcastle.

Oftentimes at live shows, musicians of the indie-rock variety get so caught up in all the strut and swagger that goes along with rock music that they forget to be fun. Deerhunter are not that, as evidenced by their performance here at McCarren Park Pool. On the contrary, front man Bradford Cox is a pretty damn funny guy. And while he may look like a young Thurston Moore without the flowing hair, Deerhunter opt out of your typical art-rock arrogance and instead go for a sonically sound show complete with a driving rhythm section and extra catchy guitar riffs. There's even a nutty vocal spot from Cole Alexander of The Black Lips. Top it off with some psychedelic effects and a pretty rhythm guitarist in cheerleader garb (!), and you've got yourself a Deerhunter performance that's way too fun to miss out on. - Chris Gayomali