The Drive-By Truckers took the stage at the 9:30 Club on a Saturday night in D.C. without frontman Patterson Hood. A recent statement issued by the bandʼs publicist announced that although Hood would not perform due to illness, Mike Cooley and the rest of the band would still be rocking out. Supported by longtime friends and opening act Bloodkin, and a big bottle of Jack Danielʼs, The Drive-By Truckers managed without one of their leaders.

Cooley and Hood share frontman duties by writing, singing and performing their own arrangements while the rest of the band backs them up. Bassist Shonna Tucker explained, “Playing without Patterson is like missing one big piece of the pie.” Cooley took hold of the reigns and churned out the chords to “Zip City” to start the show. Since the band played without Hood the night before as well, many fans might refer to the weekend’s performances as “Cooley Fest” because both sets – each over 20 songs – were comprised mostly of Cooley originals.

Touring in support of a new album, Brighter Than Creationʼs Dark, proved to be a big help because of Tucker’s first time album contributions. Her new songs helped give the set some non-Cooley material which included “Home Field Advantage” – one of the most notable songs of the night. As Cooley backed out of the spotlight and power puffed a Marlboro with an approving eye from the back of the stage, one could see the smile on Tuckerʼs face as she successfully lead the band through her songs. Her other tunes included “Purgatory Line” and “I’m Sorry Huston.”

Hood’s absence may have had its warts-and-all qualities such as a lack of total group cohesion at times or repeated songs from the night before ( “Women Without Whiskey,” “I’m Sorry Huston,” “Space City,” “Carl Perkinsʼ Cadillac,” “Home Field Advantage,” “Lisa’s Birthday,” “Cottonseed,” “Purgatory Line” ) but the show allowed for individual personalities to stand out. Brad Morgan charged the room with his booming percussion from start to finish. He had a Keith Moon quality to his playing that helped the band shift gears. John Neff filled in a lot Pattersonʼs guitar parts, but also managed double duty on the pedal steel.

The highlight of the show came when Cooley addressed the crowd: “We got to tour the White House today, no shit!…this song is dedicated to the Obama Administration.” An authentic and gritty “Rockin’ in the Free World” sent the club into overdrive. The show closed with an equally explosive, “Shut Up and Get on the Plane.” Cooley probably had the biggest night of anyone; by taking lead of the band musically and throwing around his authentic southern gentlemen-gone-badass persona, he was the glue that held the show together.