As promised, the Drive-By Truckers “officially” reunited with Jason Isbell for the first time in 18 years on the set of Late Show.
The group and its former member performed “Hell No, I Ain’t Happy”a track from their 2003 album Decoration Daywhich recently benefited from a “Definitive” reissue with bonus tracks, including a new remix and a 2022 live recording.
A rare but significant reunion
Although the performance at Colbert was billed as the group's first official meeting with Isbellthe group and its former guitarist found themselves on stage sporadically during the two decades following the departure ofIsbell in 2007. In 2017, Isbell had made an appearance for a song during a band concert in Nashville. More recently, in 2021, he joined the Drive-By Truckers for an improvisation during his own Shoals Fest in Alabama, playing guitar on “Heathens” and singing “The Day John Henry Died”. These special moments bear witness to an unwavering bond that has survived the vagaries of time.
If Isbell and the Truckers might meet again in the future, one should not expect a full reunion in the wake of the reissue of Decoration Day, Isbell having already announced tour dates for 2026 with his band, the 400 Units.
