The Drive-By Truckers play Variety Playhouse Sept. 29

Southern rock outfit plays supporting their latest, politically charged album, ‘American Band’

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Photo credit: Danny Clinch
AN AMERICAN BAND: The Drive-By Truckers are Matt Patton (from left), Brad Morgan, Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, and Jay Gonzalez.

Politics has typically lingered on the fringes of the Drive-By Truckers’ music for as long as anyone can remember. But with the formerly Athens, Georgia-based quintet’s latest album, American Band, politics reign supreme. The divisiveness of the 2016 presidential election galvanized singers, songwriters, guitarists, and founding members Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley to express their discontent with the current socio-political atmosphere in words that are as forthright, literate, and as powerful as their tough and rootsy Southern rock. The group has maintained the same lineup for three consecutive albums, a first for the DBTs, and their shows are tighter, tauter, and more focused than any time throughout their impressive 21-year run.

With Strand of Oaks. $36. Fri., Sept. 29. 7:30 p.m. (doors) Variety Playhouse. 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com.