Good news for Drive-By Truckers fans today. New West Records will be putting out The Fine Print, “a 12-track album of previously unreleased and rare songs” on September 1st. Unearthed in the raiding of the vaults are “four covers including “Rebels” by Tom Petty and “Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan which provided Shonna Tucker with her first ever lead vocal performance on a DBT recording.”

If that wasn’t enough excitement, the “Drive-By Trucker’s entire Austin City Limits performance as a CD / DVD combination pack as a part of the Live From Austin, TX line.”

Scour the track lists for both albums below: (more…)

The sting of that canceled Drive-By Truckers show in Milwaukee earlier this year still lingers a little bit. I needed that show, but am happy to hear front man Patterson Hood is in good health once again.

Patterson Hood will release Murdering Oscar (and other love songs) on June 23, 2009. Long in the making, this marks Patterson’s second venure into the world of solo recording and this time he’s joined by his old man, David Hood and Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel mastermind, Will Johnson.

You can currently stream two tracks at Patterson’s myspace page, including the piano-studded “Pride of the Yankees,” which provides a little hat tip to the late great Lou Gehrig. Vinyl enthusiasts earn three exclusive bonus tracks with their purchase.

Catch Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians with Will Johnson (Centro-matic/South San Gabriel) at the Metro in Chicago on Saturday, June 20th.

While we’ve enjoyed a couple nights of The Mike Cooley Band, we’re still Patterson Hood fans through and through. He’s still ill with walking pneumonia, which means the band had to make the tough decision to cancel their show at Turner Hall Ballroom performance Wednesday night.

Obviously, we were all looking forward to the show, but Patterson’s health trumps that. More details via the Drive-By Truckers website.

MP3: Drive-By Truckers – “Let There Be Rock” (Live, 6/20/2008)

MoB favorites the Drive-By Truckers have begun their Righteous Path Tour, but not without a slight setback. Patterson Hood has been ill with walking pneumonia, and while many bands would cancel their tour dates, the Truckers just trot out plan B. In this case, enter The Mike Cooley band. Mike’s been one of my favorite songwriters in the Drive-By Truckers and an evening of only Cooley penned tracks would be just fine by me.

Last week, for two nights in a row at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC the Truckers sans Patterson really brought it. Thanks to the internet, you can already listen/download both shows for your enjoyment/curiosity. Below, grab the MP3 of their cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin In The Free World” from the second night.

Related: Milwaukee Decider Interview: Drive-By Truckers

MP3: Drive-By Truckers – “Rockin In The Free World” (Neil Young)

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – THE RIGHTEOUS PATH TOUR 2009

Thu Jan 15 Athens GA 40 Watt
Fri Jan 16 Athens GA 40 Watt Centro-Matic
Sat Jan 17 Athens GA 40 Watt Centro-Matic
Wed Jan 21 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place Don Chambers and GOAT
Thu Jan 22 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom Don Chambers and GOAT
Fri Jan 23 Baltimore, MD The Recher Don Chambers and GOAT
Sat Jan 24 Richmond, VA The National Bloodkin
Thu Jan 29 Knoxville, TN Valarium Bloodkin
Fri Jan 30 Asheville, NC Orange Peel Bloodkin
Sat Jan 31 Asheville, NC Orange Peel Bloodkin
Thu Feb 19 Charleston, SC MUSIC FARM Bloodkin
Fri Feb 20 Washington, DC 9:30 CLUB with Bloodkin
Sat Feb 21 Washington, DC 9:30 CLUB with Bloodkin
Sun Feb 22 Charleston WV MOUNTAIN STAGE
Wed Feb 25 Milwaukee WI TURNER HALL
Thu Feb 26 St. Louis MO PAGEANT
Fri Feb 27 Memphis TN NEW DAISY
Fri Apr 24 New Orleans LA NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Myspace: Drive-By Truckers

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

“This song’s about whatever it is out there that saves your life, hang onto it and go for it with all the gusto you can…’This song’s called Let There Be Rock.’” I have been on the biggest Drive-By Truckers bender since seeing them a few months back under the Texas sun. Specifically, I’ve been pulled back to both discs of their 2002 release, Southern Rock Opera. “Let There Be Rock” is an anthem about rock and roll anthems. It’s one of the first Truckers songs that pulled me in and made me a fan forever. It summarizes perfectly the importance of live rock and roll at all ages/stages of life. It’s an absolute killer live, and one song I’ll never tire of hearing.

If you’re not familiar, spend the time with the video above and MP3 below. If you’re already a fan, enjoy the memories and join me in looking forward to their next Wisconsin performance.

Previously: Review: Drive-By Truckers/Felice Brothers @ The Pabst
Previously: Drive By Truckers leave Milwaukee hungover

Myspace: Drive-By Truckers
MP3: Drive-By Truckers – “Let There Be Rock” (Summerfest, 7/3/08)

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic