"But It's a Small Town, And the Word Gets Around"

Can a favorite band continue to get better with each concert, with each album, with each song??  History basically tells us: not really.  Think Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Guns 'N Roses, and Led Zepplin.  Not to say I don't love these bands, cause I do, but they just really fell off the deep end.  It's rare that a band continues to put out album after album of great music, music that is poignant at all stages of each incarnation of the band.  The Drive-By Truckers have done nothing but grow with each album in ways I doubt they thought they would.  When they started out with their first two albums, they were more of an acoustic/twangy electric rock n roll band with a Southern accent.  Their next three albums took the "Southern thing" that people all over the country have misunderstood, and tried to show people the duality of that- "Robert E. Lee, Martin Luther King, We've come along way."  The next album, while important as a snapshot in the history of the band as it showed a band on the verge of a break-up and a couple going through a divorce (you can hear the tension and lack of musical direction on this album), was far from perfect but still a great album when taken in context.  Next we saw a band come through a near break-up and come out with an album that was dark, brooding, and spectacular.  Then, a couple years after a "small" break for the band, they release two albums back-to-back.  The Big To-Do was the rock album and the recently released Go-Go Boots was the slower "soul and R&B" album.  And, I can't say enough good things about that album.  I've never heard an evolution in a band that has utterly worked so well.  The stories this band tells are about the South.  About those shady characters that dwell in the South (and across America as Cooley states in the documentary "A Secret to a Happy Ending").  They even delve in "love song" territory- or as much as they know how to e.g.; "When ya just need a place to hide out for a while, I'll help you hide the bodies in a little while."

Anyways, the release of a new album means a new tour.  And the fabulous 9:30 Club was graced with a two night stand from the Drive-By Truckers with special guest openers J-Roddy Walston and the Business.  The last time D.C. was given a two night stand from the DBTs, Patterson ended up in the hospital and Cooley was forced to do both nights as the front man.  Patterson fought a cold both nights this time and ripped the roof completely off of the 9:30 Club, a venue he obviously loves.

J-Roddy started the night off both nights and did nothing but kill it both nights.  These guys are incredible and one day, they will be big.  The music is great classic rock n roll.  I had mentioned earlier that these guys are like a mix of Jerry Lee Lewis, KISS, and Guns 'N Roses all mixed violently.  You cannot go to a J-Roddy show and just stand there and not AT LEAST tap a foot.  Really, you are going to more likely shake, convulse, and/or move it with whoever is nearest to you.  We in D.C. are lucky because J-Roddy and the Business are going to be doing a 4-week residency at the Rock N Roll Hotel in D.C. starting 04/20.  I challenge each and every one of you to go see J-Roddy and not enjoy the whole damn thing.  So, go now.  Figure out where the hell these guys are coming near to you and GO!!!

Now, onto the Rock Show!  The Drive-By Truckers brought it both nights.  I don't think I have seen them bring it the way they did these two nights.  The Feb. 18th show brought more of an acoustic intermingling into it, whereas the 19th show was more straightforward rock with maybe 2 songs that included an acoustic guitar.  I mentioned earlier that Patterson was battling a cold both nights, but apparently it affected him no way other than the occasional trade of the bottle of Jack for a cup of hot tea.

The first night I was able to get the trusty Andrew B. to tag along to another show.  I have been raving (annoyingly, I might add) about the DBTs and their infectious live show our whole friendship and it was pretty awesome to finally convince him to make it to a show.  And what a show for a first show!  This was a show complete with all their "hits" from new to old, from Cooley's medley of "The Weakest Man --> Panties In Your Purse" to Patterson's "(Something's Got To) Give Pretty Soon."  The night continued on after a brief break from the band, who came back for a 7 song encore.  Name me one band that comes back after playing for an hour and forty five minutes and then plays for forty five more minutes.  I never cease to be amazed with the energy of this band.

I knew the 2nd night was going to be special when it started out with a bad ass version of "Boys From Alabama."  And, although I went to this show alone, it proved to be one of the best shows DBT have ever played.  There was an urgency to every song played as if they wanted to ensure that those who came were compensated for something- maybe the fact that Patterson had to miss both nights last year or maybe they wanted more of a Rock Show the 2nd night.  The exception for the acoustic songs were "Bulldozers and Dirt" and "Love Like This"- which, by the way, is becoming one of my favorite live songs they do.  This night they played a 9 song encore.  It was an incredible way to end the 2nd night of an incredible weekend.

I can't say enough good things about this band and their work ethic.  As I stated earlier, they have grown stronger with each year, with each album, hell, with each damn song!  I cannot believe that they can continue on the path that they are on.  This band deserves a break (I don't want them to give us much of one, but they deserve it).  I feel like I can't say enough about this band without just rambling, so I'm going to leave it alone and let each and every one of you take on this band on your own free will and time.  They will hook you.  Get over the Southern drawl.  Take this band for what they are- a political, poignant rock n roll band that has very few peers today.  And, go to their website, see when they are coming near you and take in the Rock Show like only DBT can give you.