Drive-By Truckers Revisit Their Roots While Looking Ahead

Since their formation in 1996, Drive-By Truckers have built a legacy on uncompromising storytelling, razor-sharp guitar work, and an ever-evolving sound that bridges the gap between Southern rock and socially conscious Americana. Founded by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, the band has never shied away from exploring the undercurrents of American life — from its contradictions and complexities to its beauty and brutality.

Over the course of 14 studio albums and more than 2,500 shows, Drive-By Truckers have chronicled a uniquely Southern — yet deeply universal — experience. Longtime drummer Brad Morgan, along with current members Jay Gonzalez and Matt Patton, have helped define the band’s sonic identity across eras, with each lineup shift adding new texture to their signature grit.

Their politically charged trilogy — American Band (2016), The Unraveling (2020), and The New OK (2020) — marked a turning point, as the band took on America’s fractures head-on with fearless precision and urgent, searing songs. These records offered not just protest, but perspective, affirming Drive-By Truckers’ role as both chroniclers and critics of the national conscience.

In 2022’s Welcome 2 Club XIII, the band turned the lens inward, reflecting on their own journey — the rowdy dive bars, hard-earned wisdom, and lives changed by the road. It’s a poignant reminder that even as they speak truth to power, they never lose sight of the personal.

Now, in 2024, Drive-By Truckers are deep into their Southern Rock Opera Revisited Tour, revisiting the ambitious 2001 double album that cemented their reputation. The newly released deluxe edition breathes fresh life into this cornerstone of their discography. Meanwhile, an expanded reissue of American Band — featuring bonus live tracks, updated liner notes, and reimagined cover art from the late Wes Freed — underscores the continued relevance of their most politically potent work.

Nearly three decades in, Drive-By Truckers remain a band with something to say — and the conviction to say it loud. Whether looking back or forging ahead, they continue to remind us why rock music still matters.

Photos and review by Steve Sym for the Drive-By Truckers performance at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, IL on July 19, 2025.