Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Drive-By Truckers Take a Stand on ‘American Band’

Drive-By Truckers
Image used with permission by copyright holder
3000x3000-american-bandDrive-By Truckers have released a timely album in American Band, their eleventh studio record. Songwriters Patterson and Cooley have created a record that addresses into politics and feels personal as well.

American Band wastes no time in addressing issues head on. Opening track “Ramon Casiano” tells the story of the killing of the 15-year-old Ramon Casiano by Harlon Carter, a man who played no small part in turning the NRA into, as Cooley aptly described in a press release, “a right wing, white supremacist gun cult.” He further added, “What I’m trying to do is point straight to the white supremacist core of gun culture…That’s what it is and that’s where its roots are. When gun culture thinks about all the threats they need to be armed against, what color are they?”

Drive-By Truckers - Ramon Casiano (Live at Electric Lady Studios)

Race plays a major part throughout the album. In July of 2015, The New York Times published an article by Patterson Hood, arguing that the Confederate Flag needs to be abandoned as a emblem of southern pride.” Lead single “Surrender Under Protest” offers a similar message, summed up in a four minute rocker.

Drive-By Truckers - Surrender Under Protest (Static Audio)

Hood’s article works as a companion piece to American Band. The record finds Drive-By Truckers dealing with their own relationship to politics and the South. In a press release, Hood offered, “I’m a white guy from the South, do I have the right to be singing about this stuff? What can I do? The only conclusion I could come up with was maybe white guys, with Southern accents, who look like rednecks, need to say Black Lives Matter too. It’s a start, a tiny start, but a step in the right direction is better than no step at all.”

Recommended Videos

Separately, Cooley added, “I’m sure there will be people saying ‘I wish they’d keep the politics out of it, but one of the characteristics among the people and institutions we are taking to task in these songs is their self-appointed status as the exclusive authority on what American is. What is American enough and who the real Americans are.”

Drive-By Truckers - What It Means (Official Lyric Video)

Drive-By Truckers’ American Band is out now via ATO Records and available on Amazon and iTunes.

Image credit: Danny Clinch

Terence Praet
Terence Praet contributes to The Manual’s New Music Monday column. He studied Philosophy and History at Skidmore College…
Looking for shows like The Pitt? Here are 7 recommendations to stream
Here are all of the best shows to watch in between episodes of The Pitt
Noah Wyle as his character in The Pitt

When The Pitt was first announced for Max, some people were a little skeptical about adding yet another medical drama to the already over-expanded library in the genre. Fast forward a couple of months later to release and fans can't get enough of this unique, fresh take on hospital emergency rooms. The format of the first season stands out because it only takes place across a single workday in the lives of the workers inside a Pittsburgh ER. Each episode is an hour in their shift. It really gives great perspective to viewers regarding the stresses and quick pace of working in the medical field.

The Pitt only releases new episodes on a weekly basis so this gives time for fans of the show to take a look at other similar shows in the meantime. If you're struggling to pick out the best ones, we have you covered. These dramas have won Emmy awards, featured guest stars, and even starred The Pitt's Noah Wyle. Watch these shows like The Pitt for your next binge.

Read more
The big list of ultra-reliable brands with lifetime warranties
The best brands usually offer the best warranties
A man wearing leather gloves using a Dewalt axe chopping wood

Simply put, a solid brand with a lifetime warranty will rarely let you down. It's a promise that says, "Our stuff is built to last." Whether it's the latest athleisure apparel, a premium Yeti-like cooler, or the best fishing rod you can buy, these things will stick by your side like a trusty sidekick, even if you have to replace them.

There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of brands with lifetime warranties that promise to put their customer first. I know that I tend to look for these brands when I'm shopping, especially for big-ticket items or ones that will get heavy use. I will buy those products, and if they ever kick the bucket, I know I can send them in for repair, replacement, or even a full refund, completely free of charge.

Read more
The best last-minute gifts for Valentine’s Day that are still super thoughtful
You can still get something thoughtful in time for Valentine's Day
Valentine gift rose wrapped on sheet rose petals

Valentine’s Day is centered on love and showing that you care. The best gifts are the ones that are thoughtful. With our busy modern lives, sometimes these special holidays sneak up on us and scrambling for a present is no fun. We’ve rounded up the best last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts that are still super thoughtful with faster shipping times or immediate delivery to an email inbox so you can breathe a sigh of relief. 

We’ve found the best gifts for the fitness lover, gamer, techie, romantic, sports fan, and more, so no one has to miss out. Whether that special someone is into the soppy stuff or not, you can still show the love and make this Valentine’s memorable. You can choose the perfect gift from this list to make your loved one swoon, jump up with excitement, and love you even more. Here’s your last-minute Valentine's Day gift guide with 25 ideas to choose from.

Read more