CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- On a mild November Sunday evening, the Drive-By Truckers stormed into Charleston and heated up the Clay Center stage with an eye-opening and ear-catching performance.

Without benefit (or detriment) of an opening act, DBT hit the ground running with a high-energy, up-tempo set that featured blazing guitars, catchy melodies and inspired arrangements.

A surprisingly large crowd was treated to an amazing show that barely stopped to take a breath.

It is rare for the Clay Center to host a band that features feedback as an occasional instrument. It is even rarer to get the chance to hear how good the acoustics are in Maier Hall when the volume knob is cranked to one notch below "Ouch." I'm sure the Drive-By Truckers shook some dust off of the wonderful PA system in place at that venue.

Songs like "Gravity's Gone," "A World Of Hurt," "Opening Act," "Marry Me" and "Play It All Night Long" rocked the house while "Daddy Needs A Drink" slowed things to a more introspective tempo and "Love Like This" was a straight cry-in-your-beer country ballad.

This divergence of styles makes the Truckers' body of work hard to pigeonhole, y'allternative music at its best, a country-alternative hybrid with deep southern-rock roots and the slightest hint of hillbilly.

DBT is tight and precise at its core but purposely remain a little raw around the edges. This six-member band is one that I haven't heard enough or seen the last of.

Everyone played an instrument, most sang and all did it all quite well.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- On a mild November Sunday evening, the Drive-By Truckers stormed into Charleston and heated up the Clay Center stage with an eye-opening and ear-catching performance.

Without benefit (or detriment) of an opening act, DBT hit the ground running with a high-energy, up-tempo set that featured blazing guitars, catchy melodies and inspired arrangements.

A surprisingly large crowd was treated to an amazing show that barely stopped to take a breath.

It is rare for the Clay Center to host a band that features feedback as an occasional instrument. It is even rarer to get the chance to hear how good the acoustics are in Maier Hall when the volume knob is cranked to one notch below "Ouch." I'm sure the Drive-By Truckers shook some dust off of the wonderful PA system in place at that venue.

Songs like "Gravity's Gone," "A World Of Hurt," "Opening Act," "Marry Me" and "Play It All Night Long" rocked the house while "Daddy Needs A Drink" slowed things to a more introspective tempo and "Love Like This" was a straight cry-in-your-beer country ballad.

This divergence of styles makes the Truckers' body of work hard to pigeonhole, y'allternative music at its best, a country-alternative hybrid with deep southern-rock roots and the slightest hint of hillbilly.

DBT is tight and precise at its core but purposely remain a little raw around the edges. This six-member band is one that I haven't heard enough or seen the last of.

Everyone played an instrument, most sang and all did it all quite well.

At times the vocals would start to slide into the shadow of the instruments but this was quickly caught and corrected by the sound techs.

With their raw energy and hard-driving songs, this band may be better seen in a bar. But they were best heard at the Clay Center where their individual and collective talents could be magnified and showcased.

Although no one band member actually stood out, all were outstanding, a tightly knit group of unique individuals.

The set offered by DBT was precisely performed and wildly received by the crowd. After the world's longest break, the Truckers returned to the stage for a multi-song encore.

It's good for the Clay Center to remember that popular culture is, by definition, culture. Shows like this don't happen often enough.

The Drive-By Truckers have a history of having a high turnover among band members. I can only hope that this current group of recruits hangs together for quite some time.

Roger Lilly can be reached by email at criticalm...@yahoo.com