Jason Isbell Reunites with Drive-By Truckers on Colbert

Jason Isbell joined his former bandmates in Drive-By Truckers for their first official onstage reunion in 18 years during a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday evening in New York. The group delivered a lively rendition of "Hell No, I Ain't Happy," a track from their 2003 album Decoration Day, marking a celebratory moment tied to the album's recent expanded reissue.

The appearance highlighted Isbell's early contributions to the Alabama-based Southern rock outfit. He joined Drive-By Truckers in 2001 as a guitarist and songwriter, contributing to Decoration Day, their first album together, as well as subsequent releases like 2004's The Dirty South and 2006's A Blessing and a Curse. Isbell departed amicably in March 2007 to pursue a solo career, later forming his band the 400 Unit. The original Decoration Day, produced by David Barbe, captured the band's raw energy and storytelling style, with Isbell playing a key role in its creation. Last month, the band released The Definitive Decoration Day, featuring a remixed and remastered version of the 15-track original, plus bonus material including a previously unreleased double live album from a 2002 show at...