Growing up in North Texas you’re surrounded by two kinds of music, country and metal.
I’m still a fan of both and judging by the videos below I’m not the only one. These performers don’t have that ironic “I bought a Sabbath shirt at Hot Topic” crap, but appear to really be celebrating the unity of great music.
Drive-By Truckers – “Strutter” (Kiss)
Lucinda Williams – “It’s A Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock & Roll)” (AC/DC)
Drive-By Truckers 12th album, “English Oceans” is one of the most anticipated releases of 2014 (March 4 to be exact)
Of the album co-lead singer/songwriter and guitarist Mike Cooley says “It can go from this chainsaw rock ‘n’ roll to this very delicate, pretty-sounding stuff.” Cooley fans will be happy that he brought six new songs to the sessions and this record marks the first time that Cooley sings a song penned by Patterson Hood on “Til He’s Dead or Rises.”
The album follows narratives from a cast of characters. “Pauline Hawkins,” is based on a new novel by Willy Vlautin. A Political edge is shown in two songs on the record. Cooley’s “Made Up English Oceans” and Hood’s “The Part of Him.” “It’s about political assholery — there’s someone new playing that role every few months,” says Hood. “Grand Canyon,” the final song on the album, is an emotionally overwhelming tribute to Craig Lieske, a longtime member of DBT’s touring family. Lieske died suddenly in January and the album is dedicated to him.
The album was recorded with a compact, retooled lineup. Jay Gonzalez, who joined the band in 2008 as keyboardist, has added guitar to his duties, while bassist Matt Patton was drafted from the Tuscaloosa group The Dexateens. “It’s a very tasteful group, and when it needs to be it can be a very big, powerful, over-the-top band, too, and it can go from one to the other seamlessly,” says Hood.
English Oceans was recorded over 13 days at Chase Park Transduction Studios in the bands’ adopted base of Athens, GA with their longtime producer, David Barbe.
The US tour will be announced in January and European fans can anticipate the band’s return in May. The band will also do their annual homecoming shows at the 40 Watt in Athens in February.
English Oceans Tracklist:
01. Shit Shots Count
02. When He’s Gone
03. Primer Coat
04. Pauline Hawkins
05. Made Up English Oceans
06. The Part of Him
07. Hearing Jimmy Loud
08. Til He’s Dead or Rising
09. Hanging On
10. Natural Light
11. When Walter Went Crazy
12. First Air of Autumn
13. Grand Canyon
Drive By Truckers 2014 Tour Dates:
01/31 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
02/01 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
02/13 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt
02/14 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt
02/15 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt
05/10 – Dublin, IR @ Vicar Street
05/11 – Glasgow, UK @ ABC
05/12 – Manchester, UK @ Ritz
05/13 – London, UK @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire
05/15 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
05/16 – Antwerp, BE @ Trix
I’m just catching up with ex-Drive-By Truckers bassists and vocalist Shonna Tucker’s new project, Eye Candy.
Apparently the word has been out for some time , but somehow it’s been flying under my radar. The Athens, GA based band set up a Facebook page today and a repost by my bud at Country Fried Rock drew my attention.
From what I’ve been able to piece together aside from Tucker the band will be Athens musicians Clay Leverett (drums) and Bo Bedingfield (guitar), as well as Truckers steel guitarist John Neff.
Shonna assured me on twitter that she would be sending me more information on Eye Candy. Look for updates when I get more details.
Check the cut below and the video from a show at the storied 40 Watt club and let me know what you think.
I asked my twitter followers what Americana / roots artists they would like to see play the Superbowl halftime show. I got some great suggestions and here are the results.
One things sure, it would be badass and there would be no suspicion of lip-synching.
Who would you add? Put your choice in the comments.
Mike Cooley is a perfect counter to his fellow Drive-By Trucker founder and former roommate Patterson Hood. Cooley’s tales of male rites of passage (Daddy’s Cup) and tales of contemporary Hatfield and McCoys (Where The Devil Don’t Stay) for right alongside Hoods more contemplative work making each Drive-By Trucker a deeper and richer refection of The Dirty South.
Cooley’s debut solo album, The Fool On Every Corner, will be released December 11, 2012. The album was recorded by longtime Drive-By Truckers’ producer David Barbe during a three-show run last March, beginning with a two-night stand at the Atlanta rock club The Earl and The Melting Point in Athens, GA .
The record features live acoustic versions of Drive-By Truckers’ favorites like “Carl Perkins Cadillac”, “3 Dimes Down”, and “Marry Me” as well as one new song, “Drinking Coke and Eating Ice. ” There’s is also a cover I’m very much looking forward to Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors”.
Playing without his DBT band mates left Cooley and little uncomfortable. “When you don’t do it normally, it’s terrifying,” Cooley admits. “I try to relax, but I’ll probably never be able to sit down in a chair on stage as easily as I sit down on a toilet behind a closed door. That’s the goal—somewhere in between,” he deadpans. “I set the bar high.”
On this release Cooley abandons the guitar pick he expertly wields with The DBT and finger picks.
“Strip it, strip it, strip it down,” he says, alluding to the mantra that guided these performances. “What’s left is the song and nothing else.”
Cooley will continue to play select solo dates throughout 2013.
Track Listing:
1 – Loaded Gun In The Closet
2 – Cottonseed
3 – Guitar Man Upstairs
4 – Cartoon Gold
5 – Pulaski
6 – 3 Dimes Down
7 – Eyes Like Glue
8 – Carl Perkins Cadillac
9 – Behind Closed Doors
10 – Marry Me
11 – Where The Devil Don’t Stay
12 – Shut Up And Get On The Plane
13 – Drinking Coke And Eating Ice
The band member door revolves once again for the Mighty Drive-By Truckers as long-time bassist/vocalist (and ex-Mrs. Isbell) Shonna Tucker posted on the band’s site that’s she’s parting ways with Drive-by Truckers after eight years with the band. The tone of the note seems to indicate that her recent foray into singing on recent DBT albums might allow her to follow her ex-husband lead into a solo career.
Unfortunately, I come to you all with some sad news.
It’s time for me to move on to the next great thing, whatever that may be.
I want to thank each and everyone of you, with my whole heart for your overwhelming kindness and support over the years. You are the greatest fans in the world! You really do amaze and inspire me. I can’t express how much you all mean to me. Your rock solid encouragement has carried me through, many nights. I have been so lucky to have had the chance to meet and talk with so many of you. Your stories and passion are so incredibly inspirational to me.
I am, without a doubt, not done. I will have a website up and running very soon so that we can keep in touch. I have a whole lot left to say and do, and I can’t wait to hear what all of you are up to. This is very difficult, so I’ll leave you with this… for now…
Thank you all so much!
Safe travels and Happy Holidays to you all!
See you soon somewhere…
All my love,
Shonna
Asked through his twitter account if he would rejoin the band in the wake of Tucker’s departure, Jason Isbell responded “No. I’m a terrible bass player.“
Here’s a little something to stuff your sock, warm your chestnuts and spike your nog. There’s some traditional (Gene Autry – Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer) and the less-so (Drive-By Truckers – Mrs. Claus’ Kimono.) But, I’m sure there’s something here for everyone, except your Uncle Jack, that ass hates everything. Enjoy and Happy Holidays, y’all!
Gene Autry – Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Willie Nelson – Pretty Paper
John Prine – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Emmylou Harris – O Little Town of Bethlehem
Drive-By Truckers – Mrs. Claus’ Kimono
Steve Earle – Nothing But A Child
Johnny Cash – Silent Night
Commander Cody – Daddy’s Drinking Up Our Christmas
George Jones – Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus
Dolly Parton – Hard Candy Christmas
Michael Martin Murphey – Two-Step ‘Round The Christmas Tree/Two-Step Medley
Waylon Jennings – Away In A Manger
Dwight Yoakam – Run Run Rudolph
Merle Haggard – If We Make It Through December
The Mavericks – Santa Claus Is Back In Town
Alan Jackson with Alison Krauss – The Angels Cried
Clay Walker – Blue Christmas
Chris LeDoux – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Suzy Bogguss – Two-Step ‘Round The Christmas Tree
Deana Carter – Carol Of The Bells
George Strait – White Christmas
Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys – Christmas Time’s A-Coming
Dwight Yoakam – Here Comes Santa Claus
Neko Case – Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis
Asylum Street Spankers – Zat You, Santa Claus?
Jim Lauderdale – Holly & Her Mistletoe
Otis Gibbs – Jesus On The Couch
Robert Earl Keen – Merry Christmas From The Family
Lyle Lovett – Christmas Morning
James McMurtry – Holiday
Aesthetics aren’t the only think that separates mainstream Music City country from it’s rustic yet urbane cousin Americana , there are political themes that differentiate as well. Music City doesn’t have a lock on patriotism any more than it does mom and apple pie. Here’s some Americana/classic country greats on this day for remembrance for those that serve.
Jason Isbell – Dress Blues
Johnny Cash – The Ballad Of Ira Hayes
Bruce Robison – Travelin’ Soldier
John Prine – Sam Stone
Tom Russell – Veteran’s Day
Drive-By Truckers – Mama Bake A Pie (Daddy Kill A Chicken)
Jamey Johnson – In Color
Hank Williams – Searching For A Soldier’s Grave
Radney Foster – Angel Flight
Steve Earle – Johnny Come Lately
Passion, jealousy, betrayal, lying, cheating, drinking, drugging, violence,, reconciliation, repeat…ah love. Here are 6 of my favorites. What are yours?
