As NPR tells it, Drive-By Truckers' "examination of the Southern psyche is a microcosm of how Americans respond to triumph and tragedy," but their early career incline couldn't have looked more shattered behind the scenes. The band was close to imploding while crafting 2001's Southern Rock Opera, through a heatwave in a warehouse, for a paltry $7,000. But when the time came to make their follow-up, Decoration Day — in vocalist/guitarist Patterson Hood's words, "the most openly beloved thing we've ever done" — there was new fuel in the band's tank, with the addition of Jason Isbell, and a real studio and budget to help dial in their vision. Hood recalls it being his funnest recording experience to date, and the final product ended up catapulting the group to cult-like status. Today, on his second visit to Vinyl Emergency, Hood discusses the recently released 4LP Definitive Decoration Day box set, and why he feels the more his band is pushed, the better they become. Follow @dbtph on Instagram and hit up drivebytruckers.com for upcoming solo tour dates.

(To hear Patterson Hood's previous interview, revisit Episode 144 from February 2021)