Drive-By Truckers: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

In music, we can escape the cruelties of the world or face them. There's no wrong way about it, but recently the members of Drive-By Truckers, a band that's long toed the line between a good time and a hard look at life, found they could no longer work purely in metaphor. American Band holds a direct mirror to a set of realities in this country with the same grace and rough-hewn wisdom that's guided the band all along. But in this compulsion to speak to the right now, there is an anger behind these songs never heard before.

In an emotional performance at the NPR offices, Patterson Hood's gravelly voice — capable of the quietest coos and the loudest hellraising — finds a new space, one that's shaken and vulnerable. He sings both "Guns Of Umpqua" and "What It Means," songs not just about gun violence, but about the persons it affects: The former is about the horrific shooting at Umpqua Community College in rural Oregon last year, and the latter about the killing of young black men like Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin. Before performing "What It Means," Hood tells the audience, "I wrote this song a couple years ago. I'd honestly be really happy if it was just outdated and something we could leave in the past, but that's certainly not the case right now."

Mike Cooley closes the set with "Once They Banned Imagine," a quiet country song "about things staying the same, and not necessarily in a good way," he says. That theme runs throughout Drive-By Truckers' catalog almost by necessity — by virtue of their being a rock band from the South, but also a rock band from America.

American Band is available now:

SET LIST:
"Guns Of Umpqua"
"What It Means"
"Once They Banned Imagine"

MUSICIANS:
Patterson Hood (guitar, vocals); Mike Cooley (guitar, vocals); Brad Morgan (drums); Jay Gonzalez (keyboards); Matt Patton (bass).

CREDITS:
Producers: Lars Gotrich, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Colin Marshall, Maia Stern; Production Assistant: Anna Marketti; Photo: NPR.

[garrethuff]

One of the best bands you've never heard of. First heard these guys after buying a Microsoft mp3 player -used. The only song on it was "my sweet Annette." Been a fan ever since.

[yodaneer]

I attended Umpqua Community College and that was a real bad day. Heaven was callin' my name from the hallway outside the door. I'm just gonna leave it at that. And like most native Oregonians I'm deeply connected to the outdoors, having spent many a perfect day hiking, camping and skiing up in The Great Cascades. I've seen a mighty hawk swoop down and devour its prey. So the yin/yang juxtaposition of the two hits home for me.Thank you Mr. Patterson Hood- you can share my campfire anytime
 -from your newest fan.

[tuckboat]

The loudest band I've ever heard live playing softly in the npr office and every note rings just as clear as the first time I heard them.

[Pancho]

Patterson Hood has one of the most distinctive and unforgettable voices in music. I love this band.

[randyblazak]

Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live in the time when Drive-By Truckers are making important music for this country.

[Tsxtasy]

I love the way Patterson writes songs, and I love the way Mike sings his songs. Even without Jason, top 5 band for me. Thank you

[philodactyl]

What It Means is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking songs. DBTs have been my favourite band for a very long time, and that's saying a lot because I have so many favourite bands and usually can't pick favourites. Thank you so much to DBTs for their incredible work <3

[daniweissman]

"We’re all standing in the shadows of our noblest intentions of something more"--brilliant. And I love DBT for what they do and for what they are not afraid to say <3

[terrywade]

You will be happy to know that my daughter and son in law are fling from Perth (Australia) to Pioneer Town to see you guys next they enjoy the show.

[SuperChampionRocker]

This morning I had a dream that Mike and Patterson were hanging out at my house. We were drinking beer. My good buddy Glen was there too. I don't really know anyone named Glen but in this dream Glen was my good buddy. So Glen comes back from the kitchen and says, "The beer is gone. Who drank all the beer?" I told him, "Drive-By Truckers." Patterson quickly got up, put on a jacket and headed for the door. I knew he was going on a beer run. I said, "Thank you Patterson." They seem like real stand up guys.

[sopant]

I stop listening to these guys for awhile every few years because there’s so much good music coming out. Then this stuff pops up, I click the link and fall back in love. Serious song writers and so current and influential.

[muzikmind]

Its amazing how much talent crept out of north alabama... these guys can paint such a beautiful canvas. At times not so beautiful. Such is life. ❤

[nsgambino]

Glad to follow tiny desk because I discover music like this.
Enjoy your day everyone!

[mandeloi]

Time for them to do a new tiny desk! I always need to hear their words, especially now.

[faceinthecrowd]

I was born in 57. Found Neil Young early. Somehow I hear Neil in this band.

[aidenlipper]

Sitting here in 2020, where "What It Means" is as relevant and profound as ever.

[ouyrwq]

These dudes are so important to our contemporary understanding of music. I am so grateful to their songwriting skills.

[ritch]

These guys along with Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson are important...

[robkassabian]

This sounds so freakin good. This album is a masterpiece and these guys are amazing. Just what our country needs in these sad times.

[TuesdayNightFever]

“We live in crazy times” ... and this was 4 years ago! Love you guys