Black Ice Vérité

"This truly is Armageddon." said the local Athens, GA meteorologist on the seemingly sub-zero night last winter that the Drive-By Truckers were scheduled to play live at the 40 Watt. Luckily no snow, ice or hail could stop the band from firing up the room as they performed their critically acclaimed 12th LP, English Oceans, in full. Titled Black Ice Verite, fans will be able to re-live this concert experience as a live film. As the final track on English Oceans,"Grand Canyon" brings together both the record and the band's 40 Watt performance, as it is an emotionally overwhelming elegy for Craig Lieske. Lieske was a longtime member of DBT's touring family, a former manager of the 40 Watt Club and a key player in the city's experimental music scene. Lieske died suddenly of a heart attack in January 2013 following the first night of the band's three-night homecoming stand in Athens. English Oceans is dedicated to him.