The first words out of Patterson Hood’s mouth, after exchanging pleasantries, say all there is to know about American group, the politically charged new album from the Drive-By Truckers. “It’s a shitty time we’re living in,” says the Truckers singer, songwriter and guitarist, who, along with songwriter and foil partner …

Drive-By Truckers has picked a good time to deliver one of their sharpest assessments yet of what co-frontman Patterson Hood once called “The Southern Thing.” American group is a Southern liberal’s attempt to perplex the emulsified alienation and resentment of the white working class that has been repeatedly cited as …

Many YouTube commentators on the Drive-By Truckers’ lyric video for “What It Means” seem offended by the overt politics of the song, which comes from the band’s new album. With references to Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and other young black men killed largely because they were young black men, the …

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is considering a First Amendment clash over the government’s refusal to register offensive trademarks, a case that could help the Washington Redskins in their legal fight for the team name. The judges agreed Thursday to hear a dispute involving an Asian-American rock band called the …

Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers wrote What It Means, one of American Band’s most powerful songs, while gripped by the senseless murders of Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin. It’s airy and introspective, but grounded in rage, frustration and poignant lyrics: “I mean Barack Obama won and you can choose where …

Note: NPR’s First Listen audio stops after the album is released. However, you can still listen with the Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page. Truckers in car, American group. Courtesy of the artist hide caption toggle legend Courtesy of the artist Drive-By Truckers has always been a political …

You probably haven’t heard of the brothers Pat and Lolly Vasquez-Vegas. I wouldn’t have had either if I hadn’t ended up listening New Orleans Witch Queen, a song that references the legendary voodoo culture of New Orleans. And that’s how I discovered Pat’s (bass and vocals) and Lolly (guitar and …