ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 2, 2010 By Steve Newton Just got back from a family vacation to Powell River, and man, if you ever get the chance to go kayaking in Desolation Sound's Okeover Inlet, take it. The scenery is stunning and you can get up close and personal with bald eagles, seals, and huge … Continue reading Illuminating Mike Cooley’s songwriting brilliance through four Drive-By Truckers tunes
Tag: Mike Cooley
Drive-By Truckers guitarist Jay Gonzalez steals the show from Patterson and Cooley in Vancouver
photos by Jeff Sutherland By Steve Newton The Drive-By Truckers, probably my fave band at the moment--unless I'm in a heavy Gov't Mule mood--played the Imperial in Vancouver last night, and man were they smokin'. Touring behind their latest album, American Band, they played some of the finest tracks from that disc, including the … Continue reading Drive-By Truckers guitarist Jay Gonzalez steals the show from Patterson and Cooley in Vancouver
The Drive-By Truckers wonder what the hell is wrong with some people
By Steve Newton The Drive-By Truckers have always been a politically minded outfit, but on their brand-new album, American Band, they really waste no time in tackling the big issues of their home country. The opening track, “Ramon Casiano”, tells the fact-based (but little-known) story of former NRA leader Harlon Carter’s shotgun murder, in 1931, … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers wonder what the hell is wrong with some people
The Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley thinks Donald Trump “might be f***in’ crazy”
john gellman photograph By Steve Newton Drive-By Truckers singer, songwriter, and guitarist Mike Cooley has never been one to pull punches when it comes to politicians who he feels deserve a shot to the head--or a knee to the nuts, for that matter. I've been a huge fan of Cooley, and the band as a … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley thinks Donald Trump “might be f***in’ crazy”
Drive-By Truckers tell of trophy tail wives taking boner-pill rides in Vancouver
photos by the newt By Steve Newton The Drive-By Truckers didn't play all of my fave DBT tunes at the Vogue last night. For example, there was no "A Ghost to Most", singer-guitarist Mike Cooley's jangley indictment of George Bush's macho posturing from the sprawling 2008 Brighter than Creation's Dark album. And neither did I get to hear my … Continue reading Drive-By Truckers tell of trophy tail wives taking boner-pill rides in Vancouver
Mike Cooley’s killer songs are back full-bore on Truckers’ latest masterpiece
photo by Tim Bugbee By Steve Newton The Drive-By Truckers are normally described as being based in the musical stronghold of Athens, Georgia, but when the time comes to call guitarist-vocalist Mike Cooley he picks up the phone at his sweet home in Birmingham, Alabama. Cooley has never actually lived in Athens—“It’s kind of a … Continue reading Mike Cooley’s killer songs are back full-bore on Truckers’ latest masterpiece
Drive-By Truckers captured at its raw and raucous best on Live from Austin TX
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 12, 2009 By Steve Newton Drive-By Truckers fans had cause for concern when long-time guitarist-vocalist Jason Isbell—one of the group’s main songwriters, along with cofounding singer-guitarists Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley—decided to leave the southern rock–influenced alt-country band in 2007. But the group simply responded by recruiting guitarist and pedal-steel … Continue reading Drive-By Truckers captured at its raw and raucous best on Live from Austin TX
The ghost of Buford Pusser rises on the Drive-By Truckers’ Dirty South
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 21, 2004 By Steve Newton On the back of the booklet that comes with the Drive-By Truckers' latest CD, The Dirty South, there's a photo of a bare-chested toddler standing in front of Buford Pusser's gravestone. For the uninitiated, Pusser was the Tennessee sheriff whose brutal approach to law 'n' … Continue reading The ghost of Buford Pusser rises on the Drive-By Truckers’ Dirty South
Drive-By Truckers capture a raw, backwoods vibe
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 25, 2008 By Steve Newton Along with the kind of gritty, triple-guitar southern rock their fans adore, the Drive-By Truckers are known for delivering the goods in the album-art department. For the last seven years, their recordings have featured the southern-gothic work of Virginia-based Wes Freed, whose dark depictions of … Continue reading Drive-By Truckers capture a raw, backwoods vibe
The Drive-By Truckers’ country-soul mojo gets invigorated by Eddie Hinton on Go-Go Boots
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 9, 2011 By Steve Newton Last year the Drive-By Truckers released The Big To-Do, a raucous collection of southern-fried alt-country tunes highlighted by the exuberant single “Birthday Boy”. A totally different vibe typifies the band’s new album, Go-Go Boots, which is surprising since its material was recorded during the same sessions as its … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers’ country-soul mojo gets invigorated by Eddie Hinton on Go-Go Boots