A Cherished Album
“This record is truly remarkable. The second Glands album remains my top choice of this century, while the PJ Harvey album I mention later ranks second. Both were released in the same summer, within a month or two of each other.”
The Move to Athens
“Relocating to Athens in the mid-’90s was a dream come true for me; it was a monumental change. I grew up near Muscle Shoals, a noted hub for musical history, but I came of age just as it was declining. I didn’t experience its peak—it was my father’s life, not mine.”
Muscle Shoals Experience
“By the time I grew up, the studios were closing down and going bankrupt, causing many musicians, including my father, to struggle. While he remained in town, he faced tough times trying to make a living. He often drove to Nashville, where being an outsider was inevitable.”
Musical Scene in Muscle Shoals
“Muscle Shoals wasn’t known for a live music scene; it was a conservative, dry county where music felt like a hidden secret. I never spoke about my dad’s career while growing up until I moved to Athens, just after my 30th birthday.”
Life in Athens
“When I moved to Athens, it felt like my real life began. This was where I formed Drive-By Truckers, met my wife, and started my family. I worked sound in clubs, exposing me to a variety of bands, some incredible, like The Olivia Tremor Control and Vic Chesnutt.”
Regrets and Missed Songs
“If I were to revise my list of favorite songs, I’d definitely include a Vic song, likely ‘Speed Racer,’ which is bold and powerful. Vic had this special moment with his Grandma when he played that song for her, conveying his honest feelings about being an atheist.”
Memories of Ross Shapiro
“I never worked sound for The Glands, but I heard many tales about Ross Shapiro. He had a reputation as the grumpy guy in the back of the club, always claiming he was doing better stuff at home. The release of their first album shocked everyone—it was as great as he promised. Their self-titled album in summer 2000 seemed to echo through every street in Athens, like a local version of a Beatles album. I finally saw them perform in Austin, right before their breakup, and later, I drove six hours to see their grand reopening concert in the rebuilt Georgia Theatre—a night I cherish.”
