Shonna Tucker Q&A

2007 was a year of change for the Drive-By Truckers.

Last April, the Athens, Ga.-based Southern rock band known for its triple lineup of guitarists/songwriters lost one leg of that tripod when Jason Isbell left to form his own band, the 400 Unit. To fill the gap, pedal-steel guitarist John Neff — who had been moonlighting with the band since the debut LP, “Ganstabilly,” in 1998 — was made a full member.

Hard as the changes have been, however, it was all for the good, said bassist Shonna Tucker.

“Before that happened, it was becoming a grind with a negative vibe going around,” she said. “Everyone was just exhausted and needed to go home.

“Changes needed to be made, so we did it. Now, we’re back, (and) it’s going great.”

The Truckers are known for songs telling earnest, often self-reflective, stories driven by rousing guitar-driven melodies. They’ll take the stage tonight at Rhythm & Brews for their first Scenic City gig since an appearance at KFest last July.

Rather than take a breather during their time off between tours, the Truckers took advantage of the time to hit the studios. With nearly unlimited access to longtime friend and producer David Barbe at his Chase Park Transduction Studio in Athens, they put out their next album, “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark,” which hit shelves Jan. 22.

It’s been 12 years since college buddies Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley formed the Truckers, but nobody in the lineup expected the trip to last that long, Tucker said.

“This year is the 23rd anniversary of Cooley and Patterson playing together,” she said. “I don’t think either of them had any intention of it lasting this long, and I think that’s why it has.”

“It’s more fun than it’s ever been.”