The Drive-By Truckers have been described as alt-country, southern rock, country rock and just about everything else, but Mike Cooley doesn’t like to describe his band’s sound.
“My description would probably confuse somebody more than help them,” Cooley said. “Other people can tell us what we’re doing. We’re just doing it.”
Cooley, the soon-to-be 45-year-old co-founder of The Drive-By Truckers, knows that longevity is everything, and he said the key to longevity is doing your own thing. The Truckers have been doing that for a while; since their formation in 1996, the band has produced nine studio albums and toured the world.
Touring in support of their newest album “Go Go Boots” will bring them to the Bama Theatre this Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 9 p.m., and part of the online ticket proceeds for the show will go toward tornado relief.
Although the band was in England at the time of the tornadoes, Cooley said they heard the news and thought they could help.
“We just felt like we wanted to do something.” Cooley said. “People are going to need help for a long time.”
Cooley has been playing music with co-founder of the Truckers, Patterson Hood, since the two were roommates in college in 1985. Although both hail from the Shoals, an area known for its rich music history and its newly burgeoning music scene, they relocated to Athens, Ga., before founding the band.
“At that time The Shoals didn’t really have much to offer, and Patterson was looking for somewhere to be that had a good music scene,” Cooley said. “It’s a great place to do your own thing.”
Perhaps because of that move to Athens, Cooley said he doesn’t feel like The Truckers have made an album with an overtly “Shoals sound” until their newest entry, “Go Go Boots.” Cooley said the last few albums have been slowly evolving into more of the Shoals sound, but that seemed more environmental and less direct or intentional.
Perhaps their ever-evolving sound is correlated with their nearly ever-changing line-up. “Go Go Boots” is only the second album released with their current membership. With their lineup in near constant flux, it is tough to predict who will be on their next album, but Cooley said he likes where the band is right now.
“[Membership changes] are just part of rolling with it. The lineup is looking solid, and I’m really happy with it,” he said.
When asked about any plans for a new album, Cooley said the band is not in a rush to make a new record.
“It’s a slow road, and it’s easy to get burned out, so we just take everything as it comes.”
Tickets for Wednesday’s show are $18 in advance and $23 at the door, and can be purchased at drivebytruckers.com. The show is for people ages 18+.
IF YOU GO…
What: Drive-By Truckers with The Shakes in concert
When: Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 9 p.m.
Where: The Bama Theatre
How Much: $18 in advance. $23 at the door
