Drive-By Truckers Stage Backdrop Stolen from San Diego HOB, Patterson Hood Prints Open Letter for Return

Anyone in San Diego see a neighbor's garage with a fancy new funky painted backdrop that oh, may be used on a stage somewhere?

Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers would like to hear from you then. It seems after a recent show in San Diego, someone decided to walk off with the floor-to-ceiling backdrop designed by DBTs artist-of-choice, Wes Freed. Hood put out an open letter to the culprit asking for its return. Apparently they know what the person looks like and such (security tapes) and won't prosecute if it's returned. If not though...and Hood never struck me as someone you want to mess with.

My question is: how on earth does one get out of a venue like House of Blues with a floor to ceiling size stage backdrop and no one notices???

Open Letter to the Guy who stole our backdrop in San Diego:

OK guy, let's assume you were drunk and just being a stupid idiot for a night.

Shit Happens. I've done stupid shit while drunk too (although never as badly as you did the other night).

Let's just say, we know who you are and I'd like to offer you the chance to redeem yourself and perhaps save yourself some hurt.Drive-By Truckers is not some faceless corporate conglomerate. We are very much a family business.

One that is running its affairs on a hairline budget during these tough economic times.

We're making a living, but we have to watch every penny to do so.In short, you just stole about a thousand dollars from our children and that really pisses me off.

Especially since we were personally hospitable to you when you sneaked backstage last night.

That's Right. We know who you are and saw the film, in fact we have it in our possession.

See, House of Blues is a big corporation so everything everybody does there is on tape from many angles.

We know your face and what you were wearing and we have you on tape stealing our backdrop.

We know what you do for a living too.

We will go to the authorities and prosecute you fully.

Or, you can send us back our backdrop. Anonymously. No questions asked.

Mail it immediately to
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS
PO BOX 667
ATHENS GA 30601

Oh and don't ever do it again, because we will be watching out for you,

Yours Sincerely and Pissed,
Patterson Hood
Drive-By Truckers

Patterson Hood to Release "Murdering Oscar" in June

Patterson Hood will release Murdering Oscar (and other love songs) on June 23, 2009 on Ruth St. Records. The second solo record from the leader of the Drive-By Truckers has been 15 years in the making. The album was produced by Hood and long-time DBT producer David Barbe (Sugar). Most of his DBT band mates join him on the album as well as Don Chambers, Will Johnson and Scott Danbom from Centro-matic/South San Gabriel. This is also the first time Hood's father David Hood, famed Muscle Shoals bass player, joins him on a record.

The album was recorded at Chase Park Transduction Studios in Athens, GA and will also be released on 180 gram vinyl. The vinyl release will include three exclusive bonus tracks. An a cappella version of "Range War" will also be available exclusively with iTunes. "Pollyanna" and "Pride of the Yankees" are available to preview on his Myspace page.