March 24: Drive-by Truckers released their debut, Gangstabilly in 1998

Gangstabilly, DBT’s debut, was largely overlooked when first released.  It is a good straight rock album with some classic songs. The Living Bubba, 18 wheels of love and Buttholeville are still favourites at their live shows.

18 Wheels of love, live:

The album was recorded “live in the studio” over the course of two days and was produced by Andy Baker and Andy LeMaster. The album’s cover art was created by Jim Stacy. The album was rereleased in 2005 by New West Records along with the band’s second studio effort, Pizza Deliverance.

On the band’s website, band member Patterson Hood said that “[Gangstabilly is] the most country of any of our albums.” He goes on to admit that the record is “not our best album, but lots of fun and more than a little hint of the better things to come.” Hood has constantly stated that the song “The Living Bubba” is the best song he has ever written.

Buttholeville, live:

“…for a brief moment, the Drive-By Truckers created something whose praise wouldn’t come by default, that wouldn’t play immediately into critics’ expectations. Gangstabilly was a thankless job, but a good one.”
– Bill Peters (allmusic)

Personnel: 
Mike Cooley – guitars, vocals, banjo (5)
Patterson Hood – guitars, vocals, banjo
John Neff – pedal steel guitar, vocals
Adam Howell – upright bass, vocals
Matt Lane – drums
Barry Sell – mandolin (5), backing vocals (5)
Redneck Greece – backing vocals (8)
Jim Stacy – harmonica (9, 10)

– Hallgeir