Drive By Truckers - Live at Assembly 4/5/11

This was a really good band for the Assembly to get and in my opinion is what the owners should be trying to focus on. The DBTs have been around for years, have a huge back catalogue and rightly so are picking up fans on the back of the recent revival in Southern rock (Kings of Leon) and folk (Fleet foxes)

Quick mention for the support act Josh T Pearson - now this guy is a real Southern American gent not likely the pretty boys in Kings of Leon!. His set was a strange one where it consisted of relatively low key country rock numbers mixed up with a comedy act based on "musician/drummer jokes" (best one is whats the last thing a stripper does with her asshole before she goes to work?? Drop him off at band practice!). Whilst the jokes were good the set was subdued and sadly this seemed to effect the rest of the night.

It has to be said that the DBTs performed what would be termed a solid set. It certainly had the makings of a great set but just didnt quite get going. Clearly a band of extremely talented musicians who have a good collection of songs. In particular the way they mix the vocals up between the two lead guitarist has the brilliant effect of almost feeling like you get two bands for one, They both have very different voices but with their own unique sound. Indeed the backing vocals by the entire band were excellent.

I wonder if perhaps the crowd had an impact on the band where they were very quiet, Now granted Leamington on a Wednesday night is admittedly not exactly the centre of rock n roll and indeed the vast majority of the crowd appeared to be middle aged men but even the band commented on how quiet they were.

Despite this the band and the gig did come alive towards the end of the set when they played some more of their 'rockier' songs and perhaps it was a pity the band didnt do this earlier.

Overall a good show but perhaps a chance missed??