Mar
24
2006

We Were Heathens

Friday, March 24, 2006 - 09:00:24 pm
(Posted Under: Music Music)
And I never hear a single word you say when you tell me not to have my fun. It's the same old shit I ain't gonna to take off anyone.
-- Heathens, Drive By Truckers
So, this is my Drive By Truckers story. This band is amazing. I remember a few years ago I used to confuse them as a Tempe band. Probably largely because of Truckers On Speed and also that (if I recall correctly) Lance Stack (who records a lot of Peacemakers shows) recorded some of their shows and stuck them on co-traders.

Towards the end of last year - well, no 2004, I downloaded one of their shows, I think off of co-traders. Or maybe it was eztree. At the time it was just to check 'em out, and because I had some bandwidth to use. As it turned out, I never got around to listening to it.

Fast forward a couple of months, I'm it Tempe, sitting at Yucca Tap Room, watching Marc Norman acoustic. Who told a cool story about being roomates with Larson (from The Peacemakers) and how he was the best roomate he has had because he was touring 11 months of the year. [smile] And then noted the lack of Steve's presence at the Yucca Tap bar. If you know anything about Steve, and anything about Tempe, you know that that is note worthy. [wink] And then Mark announced that Steve had gone somewhere for a Drive By Truckers show. Of course, on hearing this I told myself that I needed to listen to that show when I got home. And of course, I made a point to. I can't remember exactly when I did, but it was early one, and I was suitably impressed. And immediately knew why Larson was a fan! [wink]

Towards the end of last year, and I don't actually remember what prompted this, I downloaded some of their songs. Sooo, soo good. And even moreso than when I was listening to the live show, it stood out so plainly obvious that Stevie J would be a fan of this band. Since downloading the songs I've really gotten into them.

It was interesting a couple of weeks ago when I had Marry Me playing, and chatting to Cath. I considered asking her who they sounded like, but then decided to not annoy her with my Tempe music addiction - only to have her of her own accord stop mid conversation and ask "is this Stevie J". Pretty damn cool. When I said it was Drive By Truckers she said she'd heard someone somewhere (I really need to find out where) someone say that it was bullshit that <insert American Idol artist name here> was selling millions of records while these guys weren't because they were so good. Which was also cool that she had heard of them.

Favorites of mine are Carl Perkin's Cadillac, Heathens, Marry Me, Hell No, I Ain't Happy and The Day John Henry Died. Decoration Day is also starting to grow on me lately.

It really strikes me how these guys are completely bad ass, with no hint of pretention to pull it off. The songs (particularly Carl Perkin's Cadillac and The Day John Henry Died for me) hit you like a fucking freight train.

All this morning I was singing to aforementioned lines from Heathens. It's a great line to sing!

I've been trying to get Katie to appreciate the wonders of Drive By Truckers. I guess I might have more success if I ever get around to sending her some songs. [wink]

On a finally note, in Carl Perkin's Cadillac I would always sing "Velvet Elvis don't you know", which was funny. Which also reminds me that I need to put my thoughts on Velvet Elvis down on paper. Soon.

That's my Drive By Truckers story. I feel good getting that out.

"If I make it through this year, I think I'm gonna put this bottle down".
Now Playing: Drive By Truckers - Hell No, I Ain't Happy

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