Drive-By-Truckers Bring The Rock Show Back To So Cal Two Nights

Drive-By-Truckers

DBT rocks Belly Up Apr 22, Regent Theater Apr 23; Photo by: David McClister

Drive-By-Truckers return to Southern California with two shows, kicking off at the Belly Up on April 22 followed by The Regent Theater on April 23.

The Atlanta-based group has been described as Southern rock, alternative rock and even the second coming of Lynyrd Skynyrd. No matter how the music is described, the primary songwriter has been guitarist Patterson Hood. Although they’re latest album, “English Oceans” features songs written by both co-founders, Hood and Mike Cooley.

Concert Guide Live reached out to Hood to find out what’s in store this time around, and solicited his words of wisdom for bands starting out today.

CGL: You’ve previously played in Los Angeles several times, what do you like about playing here?
PH: The grave markers, the Mexican food, the weather, seeing our friends that live there, hanging out with Hef by the pool, the palm trees, the chance of being discovered by HBO and starring in our own series, Tiki Tee, seeing Scarlett Johansson incognito having lunch with her agent, pretending to be either Benjamin Braddock or Jackie Brown while standing on the people mover at LAX.

CGL: What can fans look forward to when going to see DBT this time around?
PH: An all out Sensurround 70mm Rock and Roll Experience.

CGL: Do you have a particular song you look forward to playing live and why?
PH: I really love playing the new songs. I always enjoy playing Cooley’s songs, especially Zip City.

CGL: The three-man guitar and song writing team of you, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell was one of the most formidable juggernauts in rock. Have you kept in contact with Jason? Have there ever been discussions of him rejoining the band?
PH: Don’t be crazy. Jason is finally doing exactly what he’s always been destined to do and is having Great success. We’re friends and I’m very proud of him but all parties have moved on and are doing what we love. I do commend you on the use of the word Juggernaut though.

CGL: Many DBT songs feel like short stories, “The Wig He Made Her Wear”, “The Fourth Night Of My Drinking” to name a couple. Have you written short stories, or considered it?
PH: I’m working on a book and a screenplay. I hope I live long enough to finish either or both. I’ve written a few short stories and honestly some of my songs might have worked better as stories but I always like to stretch things and see what happens. I haven’t written any story songs in a while. Not sure if I’ll ever do that again or if I’ve moved on. Guess time will tell.

CGL: Which comes first most of the time, the lyrics or the music for a song and why?
PH: The best ones usually come all at once like it is being played on a radio out there that only I hear.

CGL: Going back to the beginning of DBT, what were some of your early musical inspirations?
PH: Old timey country, southern soul music and rap. Punk rock figured in there somewhere also. So did Todd Rundgren and Bruce Springsteen and The Clash. The Replacements and REM, too.

CGL: How did you come up with the name for the band – Drive-By-Truckers?
PH: I thought it would help us sell out The Star Bar in Atlanta, Georgia to have that name. It did. If I’d had any idea we’d still be going two decades later I might have given it all a lot more thought.

CGL: The band seems to like touring, what is it about being on the road that attracts you?
PH: I get tired of touring, but I never get tired of playing The Rock Show.

CGL: Could you offer any tidbits, advice, or words of wisdom for bands starting out today?
PH: Be careful what you name your band. Don’t take any shit off of anybody. Write good songs or don’t bother. Treat each show like it’s the most important thing you’ll ever do because it is. Be nice to people whenever possible. Don’t be an asshole. Don’t have assholes in your band. Don’t do business with assholes. Have cool merchandise and sell as much of it as you can. Join AAA. It’s a small amount of money and will save your ass several times, the first of which totally pays for itself. Do it all yourself until you get to the point that you just can’t anymore.