News:

08-26-04: The Dirty South reviewed!

The New Yorker
Austin-American Statesman
Winston-Salem Journal
KEXP
Fayetteville Observer

07-09-04: Cooley talks “Southern Gangsterism”

Mike Cooley says of The Dirty South: “...we thought it would make a better movie than an album. But we’re not filmmakers.” From an interview with Cooley in the Cincinatti City Beat.
[read it here]

07-09-04: Patterson rocks for democracy!

“Rock For Democracy is combined, cooperative action in the form of musicians, artists, activists and voters coming together to increase the profile of key Democratic issues...” So begins the description of Patterson’s new project with political consultant Ernest Baynard. Find out more by clicking here.

05-06-04: Drive-By Truckers and King of the Hill

Drive-By Truckers have re-recorded Tom Petty's “Rebels” for an upcoming episode of the hilarious animated series, King of the Hill. The episode will air on Sunday, May 16th on Fox (7pm/6pm central). Tom Petty and Trace Adkins will be the special guests.
[check out the episode guide]

04-28-04: Drive-By Truckers in Fader #22

Will Welch says of The Dirty South: “The new album the band is recording in the Shoals is heavy and beautiful and frightening and intelligent, but as usual it doesn't shy away from big, mean, stomping, anger-liquor-inspired rock & roll either.” We coudn't agree more. Pick up the issue 22 of Fader magazine for the full feature.

02-21-04: Pazz and Jop # 9
& the Dean's List

The Villiage Voice publishes a poll of music critics every year called the Pazz and Jop list. This poll combines ballots from 732 critics, who divide 100 points among 10 albums released in 2003 . Maximum per album: 30. Minimum: 5. Points determined placement, with total mentions (indicated in parenthesis) used for tie breaking.
[check out the 2003 Pazz & Jop list]
[check out Robert Christgau's Dean's List]

02-03-04: The Duality of the Southern thing

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Sounding a lot like the Democratic presidential candidates stumping for votes in South Carolina this week, Patterson Hood thinks the South is not as different as many people would have you believe...”
[read the article]

01-15-04: A note from Patterson

“Last week, we went to FAME Studios and recorded for the first time there...” Patterson gives a brief history of the legendary FAME studios. Get out your note paper people.
[Learn some]

12-22-03: For Immediate Release

Dear Friends of Drive-By Truckers,

As of this week, Earl Hicks will no longer be playing bass for Drive-By Truckers. Earl has been in the band since August 2000, playing on Southern Rock Opera and Decoration Day. Before that, he produced two of our albums (Pizza Deliverance and Alabama Ass Whuppin') and has long been an avid supporter. Additionally he is an old and dear friend and will certainly be missed by both the band and the folks who come to shows.

We wish him nothing but all the best in the world.
The Bass position will be filled, effective immediately, by Shonna Isbell. Shonna is a veteran player of both electric and upright bass, having done session work in Muscle Shoals and live backing work for a number of regional bands. She has backed me up on a number of solo shows and played for years in various bands with Jason. Additonally, she played upright bass on "Sounds Better in the Song" on DBT's Decoration Day album and is the featured bassist on Jason's solo album (Sirens of the Ditch, coming soon). She is also a very good singer and writer and we all look forward to working with her, both live and in the studio.

We have shows coming up in Birmingham (The Nick 12/30) and Atlanta (Variety Playhouse NYE) as well as south-eastern shows and recording dates in January, a west-coast / cross country run in February, SXSW in March, Europe in April, and a new album coming this summer. Have a safe and happy holiday We appreciate everyone's love and support this year and look forward to seeing you at The Rock Show in 2004.

Sincerely,
Patterson Hood
Drive-By Truckers

12-03-03: Best of 2003

It's official. Drive-By Truckers' Decoration Day tops off the year in a bucket load of "Best of 2003" lists:
One of the Top 50 at Rolling Stone magazine
#1 Best group at Harp magazine
#1 Alternative Rock Album at Amazon.com
#1 Rock Album at Amazon.com
#2 Best album at Details magazine
#4 Best album at Paste magazine
#5 Best album at Sound and Vision magazine
#10 Best album at Amazon.com
#19 Best album at Blender magazine
#28 Best album at Spin magazine
Congratulations gentlemen!