3 Dimes Down by Drive-By Truckers

The Drive-By Truckers’ 2008 album Brighter Than Creation’s Dark was a Southern rock epic, with 19 songs running long enough for a double vinyl album. True to its title, the disc brought out the band’s more serious side, with songs about surviving in an era hit by war and economic stress.

“Three Dimes Down” was one of the album’s few celebratory rock’n’roll songs, a weekend cruisin’ story concisely told by singer/guitarist Mike Cooley; and wrapped up with a well-placed Bob Seger quote. As Colley told us in our audio interview, he’d be a happier man if he could write fewer serious topical songs and more fist-wavers like this.

Drive-By Truckers singer/guitarist Patterson Hood is the son of bass guitarist David Hood. As part of the fabled Muscle Shoals rhythm section, the elder Hood played on stacks of classic soul records; and was briefly a member of the band Traffic.

Keep in mind that the Drive-By Truckers have three guitar players, so they’re combined here into a part that amounts to one long solo. Watch for the chord switches that involve HOPOs; if you can get those down you should be able to streak the song.

The bass part starts out tough with some fast-walking parts, but gets easier toward the end—so don’t be afraid to use up your Overdrive as soon as you need it.

In 2009 the Drive-By Truckers teamed up with legendary soul keyboardist Booker T. Jones (the former leader of Booker T. & the MG’s) for a collaborative album and tour.