The Drive-By Truckers have had many members, but at the heart are two singer/songwriters, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley. These two have been playing together for over two decades in some form or another, but the Drive-By Truckers came together when Hood bought some studio time and invited a few friends to record an album. That first recording was self released in 1998 as Gangstabilly. It was crude, and a little unfocussed, but the songs were solid.
"Buttholeville" is Hood's ode to his hometown.
"Panties In Your Purse" is our introduction to Cooley.
"The Living Bubba" is another winner from Patterson Hood.
In 1999 the Truckers released their 2nd album Pizza Deliverance. It was still a little raw and wild, but Cooley's songs were solid. (Brad Morgan joined as the drummer)
"Uncle Frank" really shows off Cooley's story telling ability.
2001 brought Southern Rock Opera. It was the album that wasn't supposed to work, a double album rock opera loosely based on Lynard Skynard produced by an unsigned band. The band added a third guitar to the mix to produce that southern rock sound. Somehow, it worked.
"Zip City" brings Cooley back to high school. (cover art by Wes Freed becomes another trucker's staple)
"Let There Be Rock" is Hood's anthem and homage to rock and roll.
The Drive-By Truckers had arrived. (not exactly fame and fortune, but they were actually making a living with their music)
The SRO tour brought a new member into the fold, singer/songwriter Jason Isbell. There had been other contributors to the DBT songbook, but Isbell brought a third solid voice. With Decoration Day, the Drive-By Truckers launched their next era.
"Sink Hole" was inspired by the short film "the Accountant"
"Marry Me" starts with Cooley singing "Your Daddy didn't pull out and he never apologized."
"Outfit" is Isbell's advice from his dad.
2004's The Dirty South added Shonna Tucker (Jason Isbell's wife) as bassist. It's probably the best album of the Jason Isbell era truckers.
"Where The Devil Don't Stay" opens the record.
"Lookout Mountain" is the DBT at it's heaviest.
By the time the Drive-By Truckers recorded A Blessing and A Curse, relationships were strained. When two of your band members are on the verge of divorce, it's tough to record and tour.
"Space City" is one of Cooley's best ballads.
"A World of Hurt" is a half spoken statement of Hood's philosophy.
After Blessing, Jason Isbell left the band, but Shonna stayed on and emerged with her own songs. Brighter Than Creations Dark is a 19 song album that begins the latest DBT chapter. John Neff (who was in the 1st incarnation of the band) returns as the third guitarist/steel guitarist/musician and Spooner Oldham adds keyboards.
"3 Dimes Down" is a Cooley rocker.
"Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife" is Hood's opening track.
After BTCD, the band worked as the backup band for Booker T's Potato Hole and Bettye LeVette's The Scene of the Crime. They also released a b-sides album called The Fine Print and a live recording of their appearance on PBS' Austin City Limits. Keyboard player Jay Gonzalez joins the band, then in 2010 The Big To-Do is released by ATO Records.
"This Fucking Job" (Working This Job) is one of Patterson Hood's contributions.
"Birthday Boy" gives us more fine lines from Cooley.
"(It's Gonna Be) I Told You So" is a little muscle shoals soul from Shonna Tucker.
Now, less than a year later, there's a new album, Go-Go Boots. The lineup is the same, but I'd call this DBT's tribute to Muscle Shoals. There's a little more soul, a little straight country, and a couple covers of Eddie Hinton, but still good song writing and story telling.
"Used To Be a Cop"
Cooley's country. Pulaski
and the Eddie Hinton cover "Everybody Needs Love"
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