Drive By Truckers - A Blessing and a Curse

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  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    Seriously, what the fuck is going on here? They just played some shows and have a big tour coming up, plus what happens to Shonna?
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    Red Lukin wrote:
    Question: I still haven't decided if I'm going to see Jason this week. I love DBT and have many of their albums, but I don't know much about Jason. So I'm curious will there be a band or is it just him? Basically I want to know if there will be drums; you know some rock...

    He has a band... its him, another guitarist, a bassist and a drummer... They were really quite good when I saw them a few weeks back... I would definitely go...
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • NakedClown
    NakedClown Posts: 545
    This really is awful - my jaw dropped when I saw the MySpace posting.

    Truths:

    1: I'll be a huge fan of Jason as a solo artist

    2: Cooley will get more tracks on DBT recors now - and that's a good thing.

    3: DBT was fine before Jason - they'll be fine afterwards - but damn did they make two great albums with him.

    4: I imagine Shonna is out, too...
  • merkinball
    merkinball Posts: 2,262
    sadprofessor wrote:
    Seriously, what the fuck is going on here? They just played some shows and have a big tour coming up, plus what happens to Shonna?

    There were rumors of a divorce, plus Shonna isn't in Jason's touring band. So maybe she'll stick around.
    "You're no help," he told the lime. This was unfair. It was only a lime; there was nothing special about it at all. It was doing the best it could.

    http://www.last.fm/user/merkinball/
    spotify:user:merkinball
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    NakedClown wrote:
    This really is awful - my jaw dropped when I saw the MySpace posting.

    Truths:

    1: I'll be a huge fan of Jason as a solo artist

    2: Cooley will get more tracks on DBT recors now - and that's a good thing.

    3: DBT was fine before Jason - they'll be fine afterwards - but damn did they make two great albums with him.

    4: I imagine Shonna is out, too...

    Agreed... with all but number 4. Something tells me Jason is gone, but she'll be around.

    The last few times I saw DBT I saw them all in various groupings and solo just hanging around the venue, socializing, drinking, etc. Never saw Shonna and Jason exchange a word. I am not one to care about rock band's personal lives, but when it affects the future of the band I can't help but speculate.

    Sorry, I feel dirty talking about this. I am gonna stop now.
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    New blog post on Jason's page:


    "If I could change it... I would."


    It is just bizarre to sit here and almost literally see a band break up (not quite but you get the point), in real time.

    It is really quite sad, because I love their music and it means a lot to me, as I know it does to a lot of you guys.
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • NakedClown
    NakedClown Posts: 545
    FROM DBT

    Important Announcement.

    Y'ALL:

    It's with a wide range of emotions and feelings that I'm announcing that we have parted ways with Jason.
    The split, which I consider extremely amicable is the result of a period of personal and artistic growth from all sides which has left us with differing dreams and goals.

    Jason joined our band, mid-tour, in the fall of 2001, shortly after the release of our 4th album (Southern Rock Opera). His impact on the band was immediate and profound, bringing an awe-inspiring combination of vocal range, guitar dexterity, and amazing songwriting and leading us into an era of creativity that has resulted in three albums that I will be proud of for as long as I live.

    Life in a band is always a delicate balancing act of personal and musical chemistries. Having been in bands for most of my life, I still marvel that any band stays together for longer than a year. Especially if the band in question spends anywhere from 150-220 days a year on the road, as our band has done since 1998. That said, I have also likened this band to a family. A big, messy, sometimes dysfunctional one, but a family full of love all the same. It is in this spirit that I plan on Jason continuing to be a part of our lives wherever our roads and dreams take us in the immediate future.

    Jason is about to embark on a tour (including a leg of dates with Son Volt) with his stellar band and will be releasing (finally) his amazing solo album "Sirens of the Ditch" < July 10 from New West Records > . We all are wishing him nothing but the absolute best on every step that plays before him.

    Cooley and I will have played together for 22 years this summer and DBT is about to begin it's 12th year of existence on the very day that we will be going into the studio to begin recording our 8th album. Cooley recently sent me a demo of five new songs and yesterday I demoed nine new ones for consideration. In addition to Shonna and Brad (who is coming up on ten years in the band) John Neff will be playing with us full time, playing both guitar and pedal steel. John was a founding member of the band in 96 and has already played on four of our albums and has been on the road with us, full time for going on two years.

    It is my sincere and and adamant hope that everyone will support all of us, and by that I mean our band and Jason's, as we deal with this transition. Jason's tenure in this band has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me on a personal and musical level and our love for him and his music is in no way changed or endangered by our collective decision to move into different directions.

    In addition to the upcoming THE DIRT UNDERNEATH tour and the recording of our next album, we will also be playing some special ROCK SHOW dates this summer and hope to do another leg or two of THE DIRT UNDERNEATH in the fall.

    As always, the bond that we have with each other, as well as with the folks that come to our shows and listen to our records has always been one of the things that has set this band apart. We plan to continue on in that tradition and spirit and hope you will come with us as we attempt to tell another tale and Rock the nights away a little while longer.

    Sincerely Yours,
    Patterson Hood
    Drive-By Truckers
    April 6, 2007
  • NakedClown
    NakedClown Posts: 545
    This is depressing - Decoration Day and Dirty South are masterpieces - ABAAC is just "good" (which is why I said two "great" albums earlier).

    Jason's songs have always been the ones that I relate to the most. I hope now that he churns out solo albums with the same prolific nature DBT has.

    But reading Patterson's post above, how cool is it that Cooley might get five songs on the next album? And Patterson's stuff with the band is always good...
  • likepilateihaveadog
    likepilateihaveadog Posts: 1,083
    John Neff is a class act, he's the real deal....looking forward to him picking up a guitar on the next DBT record, maybe see what kind of songs he'll write.
    Met Neff outside the 9:30 in DC this summer, mentioned I was from Lancaster and they showed up there later on the tour, so...coincidence maybe but...

    yeah, this isn't fun, hopefully it all works out for everyone, no bad blood.
    Teamwork. Rawk. Pwnage. Infinite Possibilities. YIELD. Hells yeah.
  • merkinball
    merkinball Posts: 2,262
    Well, at least it sounds like Shonna will stay in the band (from Pattersons post above). That's good news, she plays a mean bass, and brings her own bad-ass attitude to the stage.

    I suppose I can see where this would have happened eventually. All of them are strong songwriters, and it must get difficult to only have 2-3 songs per album for Jason. It will definitely impact the albums though. Each of them have individual styles, and Jason brought a different perspective and generational voice to 'the southern thing' that really complemented the last few albums.
    "You're no help," he told the lime. This was unfair. It was only a lime; there was nothing special about it at all. It was doing the best it could.

    http://www.last.fm/user/merkinball/
    spotify:user:merkinball
  • tybird
    tybird Posts: 17,388
    NakedClown wrote:
    FROM DBT

    Important Announcement.

    Y'ALL:

    It's with a wide range of emotions and feelings that I'm announcing that we have parted ways with Jason.
    The split, which I consider extremely amicable is the result of a period of personal and artistic growth from all sides which has left us with differing dreams and goals.

    Jason joined our band, mid-tour, in the fall of 2001, shortly after the release of our 4th album (Southern Rock Opera). His impact on the band was immediate and profound, bringing an awe-inspiring combination of vocal range, guitar dexterity, and amazing songwriting and leading us into an era of creativity that has resulted in three albums that I will be proud of for as long as I live.

    Life in a band is always a delicate balancing act of personal and musical chemistries. Having been in bands for most of my life, I still marvel that any band stays together for longer than a year. Especially if the band in question spends anywhere from 150-220 days a year on the road, as our band has done since 1998. That said, I have also likened this band to a family. A big, messy, sometimes dysfunctional one, but a family full of love all the same. It is in this spirit that I plan on Jason continuing to be a part of our lives wherever our roads and dreams take us in the immediate future.

    Jason is about to embark on a tour (including a leg of dates with Son Volt) with his stellar band and will be releasing (finally) his amazing solo album "Sirens of the Ditch" < July 10 from New West Records > . We all are wishing him nothing but the absolute best on every step that plays before him.

    Cooley and I will have played together for 22 years this summer and DBT is about to begin it's 12th year of existence on the very day that we will be going into the studio to begin recording our 8th album. Cooley recently sent me a demo of five new songs and yesterday I demoed nine new ones for consideration. In addition to Shonna and Brad (who is coming up on ten years in the band) John Neff will be playing with us full time, playing both guitar and pedal steel. John was a founding member of the band in 96 and has already played on four of our albums and has been on the road with us, full time for going on two years.

    It is my sincere and and adamant hope that everyone will support all of us, and by that I mean our band and Jason's, as we deal with this transition. Jason's tenure in this band has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me on a personal and musical level and our love for him and his music is in no way changed or endangered by our collective decision to move into different directions.

    In addition to the upcoming THE DIRT UNDERNEATH tour and the recording of our next album, we will also be playing some special ROCK SHOW dates this summer and hope to do another leg or two of THE DIRT UNDERNEATH in the fall.

    As always, the bond that we have with each other, as well as with the folks that come to our shows and listen to our records has always been one of the things that has set this band apart. We plan to continue on in that tradition and spirit and hope you will come with us as we attempt to tell another tale and Rock the nights away a little while longer.

    Sincerely Yours,
    Patterson Hood
    Drive-By Truckers
    April 6, 2007
    :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
    First, Pearl Jam snubs us, then Jason and DBT part ways....:( What a sad way to start the musical year.

    The initial word from Jason and the flat-out refusal to answer questions added to the fact that Patterson mentions Shonna still in the band leads me to speculate that the condition of their marriage might be a clue to this mystery, especially if there were already rumors about it flying across the wires. :( :(
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • tybird
    tybird Posts: 17,388
    merkinball wrote:
    Well, at least it sounds like Shonna will stay in the band (from Pattersons post above). That's good news, she plays a mean bass, and brings her own bad-ass attitude to the stage.

    I suppose I can see where this would have happened eventually. All of them are strong songwriters, and it must get difficult to only have 2-3 songs per album for Jason. It will definitely impact the albums though. Each of them have individual styles, and Jason brought a different perspective and generational voice to 'the southern thing' that really complemented the last few albums.
    I would not mind them giving Shonna a chance to sing....she has a pronounced drawl, but there ain't nutin' wrong wit' that. :p

    Jason will be missed....some really great songs. He gave the band a great sense of balance.
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    It is pretty great of Patterson to address this so fast for their fans, rather than leaving everyone hanging and speculating.

    I saw Jason solo a few weeks ago, and remember speculating to my friend that he wouldn't be in this band forever, if that much longer at all. But I figured it would be a bit more calculated and measured, rather than a sudden departure with a shitload of tour dates coming up.

    It still really fucking sucks, but I am glad Shonna and Neff are staying.

    The curious part of me would really like more details on exactly what went down, but I know better than to think we will ever know for sure. Suffice it so say, I don't really see this band going anywhere for awhile, and look forward to the show in Athens later this month.
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • tybird
    tybird Posts: 17,388
    sadprofessor wrote:
    It is pretty great of Patterson to address this so fast for their fans, rather than leaving everyone hanging and speculating.
    Yes, far better communication to the fans and better regards for the fans than we have seen from Pearl Jam in the last couples of years.

    I wish Jason all the best.....Dude, I will buy your album later this year. Us Alabama boys have got to watch each other's back. :p
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    tybird wrote:
    :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
    First, Pearl Jam snubs us, then Jason and DBT part ways....:( What a sad way to start the musical year.

    The initial word from Jason and the flat-out refusal to answer questions added to the fact that Patterson mentions Shonna still in the band leads me to speculate that the condition of their marriage might be a clue to this mystery, especially if there were already rumors about it flying across the wires. :( :(

    Yeah I think there is little doubt at this point and the Jason and Shonna situation, I am just glad we didn't lose both of them... that would have been a huge blow to the band (not that this wasn't).

    Practically speaking, that would have required bringing someone in and having them learn the huge ass Truckers catalog, which would have been a bitch and even more disruptive. Right now we just have 3 guitars instead of 4 and one less vocalist. So honestly on most of the songs there shouldn't be too much of a sonic difference, except for, of course, the vocals.
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • merkinball
    merkinball Posts: 2,262
    tybird wrote:
    I would not mind them giving Shonna a chance to sing....she has a pronounced drawl, but there ain't nutin' wrong wit' that. :p

    Jason will be missed....some really great songs. He gave the band a great sense of balance.

    I think the band too gave his songs a sense of maturity and cohesiveness that many artists don't get unless they've been in a band for a number of years. I hope he has a strong touring/recording band with him that can do his songs justice.

    Shonna does great on the backup vocals (although I did give her a hard time for not singing the background vocals on Aftermath U.S.A. last time I saw them). Shes only sung lead once, on the Like A Rolling Stone cover.
    "You're no help," he told the lime. This was unfair. It was only a lime; there was nothing special about it at all. It was doing the best it could.

    http://www.last.fm/user/merkinball/
    spotify:user:merkinball
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    After hearing some of his solo material, I can't help but wonder if he wasn't holding back some of his better stuff for the solo record. In a competitive situation where you have 3 songwriters all trying to get songs on the record, you can't really hold stuff back. I mean the songs on ABAAC were OK, but not his best. And then I hear something like Dress Blues, which is just amazing. And then they started playing Dress Blues at DBT shows, and everyone loves it and requests it, and its huge... but it isn't really a DBT song.

    I can't see Patterson and Cooley being ok with having Jason songs on a record if they aren't up to par with what everyone else is bringing to the table.
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • sadprofessor
    sadprofessor Posts: 1,034
    icarus wrote:
    i don't know much about them and i'm only now listening to decoration day (i've liked my sweet annette for awhile). were jason and shonna married and that might have something to do with the split? sorry i'm just confused

    That is more than likely part of it, there has been some speculation for awhile in DBT land about this.

    I think ultimately it has more to do with not enough room for all three songwriters, egos, etc.
    The Man has a branch office in each of our brains, his corporate emblem is a white albatross, each local rep has a cover known as the Ego, and their mission in this world is Bad Shit.
  • PissBottleMan
    PissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    sadprofessor...thanks for the heads-up last night...I didn't find out until I saw your comments this morning.

    I sent messages out to all my DBT friends and we were literally speechless.

    It really sucks that he's leaving...I haven't read all the comments in this thread yet...but I wish him well and I'll continue to support both Jason and DBT.

    This is a sad day indeed.

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • LivingBubba
    LivingBubba Posts: 135
    All I`ve got to say is this just plain sucks!! I knew it was a terrible terrible idea to have a husband/wife combo coming into an already formed band. Something bad was bound to happen. Either divorce (which it looks like), the whole band breaks up, or you lose 2/5 of your lineup at one time.

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