Drive-By Truckers and Son Volt at The Showbox
The Drive-By Truckers are fast becoming one of the best bands to come out of the states in many a year. They've just returned from a European tour including a date at Whelan's in Dublin. The fact that Son Volt and frontman, Jay Fahrer, the godfather of 'No Depression' / 'Americana' (from his days as co-lead singer in Uncle Tupelo sharing vocal duties with Jeff Tweedy now of Wilco fame), supported the 'Truckers' - says it all. Just a few months ago it could easily have been the other way round.
The night opened up with Kirk Kirkwood, formely of the infamous Meat Puppets. I'm ashamed to say I missed him entirely due to an extremely comfortable bar stool across the street and some frosty pints of Alaskan Amber.... It was my first time in the Showbox, and I was impressed mightily. It reminded me some what of the Tivoli in Dublin, but with a bit more depth and a total of four bars. I guess you'd fit a thousand in there easy enough. Son Volt came on and were predictably subdued until about half way through when they began to get into it. Their new stuff is pretty good but still not up to the standard of their classis debut 'Trace'. After a rendition of one of my favourite songs ever, 'Tear Stained Eye', they finished with a new number that can only be dubbed as Sonic Country. Awesome.
The 'Truckers' came on and completely ruled. These guys (and gal on bass) are the real deal. From the South, hard living, with songs about living on welfare and getting trucks out of ditches. Yeah, we've heard it all before - but not quite like this. For the uninitiated their sound is something between Willy Nelson, AC/DC, Johnny Cash and Crazy Horse. They rocked for about an hour and a half and put on one of the best shows I've seen since... Bob Mould actually. Point is, these guys are great and after their tour with The Black Crowes this summer, destined for great things.