Live Photos: Deer Tick Destroy New Jersey

While stoners across the land celebrated their unofficial holiday, I spent the day with Providence rockers Deer Tick playing bocce ball and later catching their outrageous, bone-shaking set at Jersey's legendary Stone Pony. Check out the photos from an epic day in Asbury Park.

Half-brothers Dennis Ryan, drums, and Chris Ryan, bass, became official members of Deer Tick in 2007.

Dennis, a man of many talents! I watched him redesign their new tour credentials in a matter of moments. The end result was pretty damn awesome.

Pops, the unofficial Officiator of Asbury Park Bocce Ball, gives guitarist Ian O'Neil a rundown of the game's rules. He didn't seem to know the band (or hid it very well), but he certainly knew his shit when it came to bocce.

Bassist Chris Ryan looked at the game as an exercise in perspective. When our officiator Pops was called inside to eat dinner with his family, we playfully argued over which ball was actually closer to the pallino (small ball). In the end, I was right, and then I died...

I originally planned to catch Deer Tick as openers for Levon Helm (major R.I.P) earlier this month. When that show sadly became a non-option, Partisan (band's label) asked if I wanted to spend sometime with the guys and their opening act, Turbo Fruits. Obviously, I responded with a professional, 'f*ck yeah!'

The band mixed newer songs off 'Divine Providence' with old fan favorites from 'War Elephant' and "Born on Flag Day'. True to form, they included some seriously awesome covers, like the crowd pleaser 'Bastards of Young' by 'The Replacements'.

DT is embarking on a two month tour across the United States, this will mark the longest on the road venture for the quintet. Tour dates are available on the band's site.

John McCauley seems to have a reputation, if only in the press. And this little Midwesterner wasn't exactly sure what I'd encounter when I finally met him. What I found was a total gentleman (a trait shared by all Deer Tick members), who seemed to make it his job to assure I received all the time and access I needed.

Robbie Crowell was the last official member to join DT, coming on board in the Spring of 2010. He plays keyboard, sax and adds vocal harmonies on a majority of the bands songs.

In a somewhat somber moment, McCauley gave a shout out to recently deceased drummer, Levon Helm. DT seem to embody the same multi-instrumental, collaborative vibe that made The Band so unique.

McCauley and Crowell have been collaborating on a side project, Diamond Rugs, with Ian Saint Pé (The Black Lips), Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), Hardy Morris (Dead Confederate) and Bryan Dufresne (Six Finger Satellite). Their self-titled album is out now!

When an overly enthusiastic (and possibly intoxicated) fan jumped on stage, John McCauley did what any great front man would do - strapped a guitar to the dude's chest and let him join the show. It was an awesome time, until the guy let McCauly's guitar slip right out of his hands and crash to the stage. Guess who's not getting asked back for the encore.

Deer Tick, in many incarnations, has toured extensively since 2004; every show is different from the last.

Fine, take two

I'll admit that I didn't know too much about Nashville's Turbo Fruits before Friday (4/20) and I'm kicking myself for every minute I've missed. Not only did these guys bring a serious amount of garage rock energy, they had all the ovaries in the Stone Pony pumping!

Former Be Your Own Pet guitarist Jonas Stein formed and fronts Turbo Fruits.

They're hair isn't the only thing that flies: Dudes are doing serious high jumps on stage!

When guitarist Kingsley Brock joined the band in 2010 it was the first time TF had been a quartet.

Matt Hearn, formerly of The Tits, helps drive the Fruits high impact, garage rock sound with his abrasive drumming

Bassist Dave McCowen, also formerly of The Tits, is the only member for TF not to rock the man mane.