
One of the major criticisms of alt-country has been its primary appeal to indie fans rather than country music's traditional base: po' white southerners. The Drive-By Truckers have managed to overcome that semi-stigma, ther band's consistent ability to produce songs like "This F*cking Job" is a reason why.
With a new album The Big To-Do on the way in March, a national tour that starts tomorrow and goes through May, and a documentary on the band, The Secret To A Happy Ending to be released this February, the southern rock band has released the first single off The Big To-Do: "This F*ckig Job."
A classic "I hate my job" anthem that deals with the lack of a clear road map, how hard it works, and how the need to work both is like a knife in the back and makes life worthwhile. It's a straightforwards song with simple guitar licks and clearly tangible lyrics, and yet it has appeal to those who work at a record store raised on Superchunk just as much as it appeals to Walmart workers raised on the Dixie Chicks.
Frankly, the line between the two isn't that different anymore (either in music or life), and after consistently improving sales over a decade of recording, don't be surprised if the Drive-By Truckers go into full-crossover mode with The Big To-Do.
The Drive-By Truckers tour dates:
01.28 Huntsville, AL Crossroads Music Hall
01.29 Mobile, AL Soul Kitchen
01.30 Tuscaloosa, AL Jupiter Bar & Grill
02.05 Silver Spring, MD AFI Silver Theater*
02.06 Silver Spring, MD AFI Silver Theater*
02.11 Greenville, SC Handlebar
02.12 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre
02.13 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre
02.14 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
02.25 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre
02.26 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theatre
02.27 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theatre
02.28 San Francisco, CA Noise Pop Film Festival*
03.04 Wilmington NC Rox Nightclub
03.06 Augusta GA Sky City
03.12 Atlanta GA Variety Playhouse
03.13 Atlanta GA Variety Playhouse
03.18 Austin, TX SXSW
03.19 New Orleans LA Tipitinas
03.20 New Orleans LA Tipitinas
04.01 New York NY Webster Hall
04.02 Boston MA House of Blues
04.03 Philadelphia PA Electric Factory
04.06 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
04.07 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
04.08 Detroit MI St. Andrews Hall
04.09 Chicago IL The Vic Theatre
04.10 Lexington KY Buster's Billiards and Backroom
04.11 Cleveland OH Beachland Ballroom and Tavern
04.14 Towson MD Recher Theatre
04.15 Norfolk VA The Norva
04.16 Asheville NC The Orange Peel
04.17 Asheville NC The Orange Peel
04.30 Nashville TN Cannery Ballroom
05.07 Los Angeles CA Avalon
05.08 San Francisco CA The Fillmore Auditorium
*The Secret To A Happy Ending screening