The Red and Black

By JOHNATHON REED The Red & Black

The more things change, the more they stay the same, and even as the scene has changed, Drivin' n' Cryin has been around to watch it happen.

Granted, the group is not officially an Athens band, but with roots here going back to the mid-1980s, it has always looked at the town as a home not so far away from home.

"We were one of the first Atlanta bands to really get to play in Athens," said singer/guitarist Kevn Kinney.

But Athens proved to be where Drivin' n' Cryin could experiment with new songs and set ideas. Here, Kinney said, they could (and still feel they can) play longer, play songs they haven't done in a while or even get "a little more psychedelic."

"People are a lot more open-minded (in Athens) than in most college towns," he said. "Atlanta was always more aggressive. You had to be concise, real on the ball."

The band is coming up on the tenth anniversary of the release of its "Mystery Road" album, and it's still traveling the country and playing to huge crowds.

"We're still making cool music. We're a live rock and roll band that tours all over the South," Kinney said.

Friday night's concert was a last minute gig that came together out of the blue.

"It's kind of a tradition in a sense," said drummer Jeff Sullivan. "In a way, it feels more like a private party than a show a private party that everyone is invited to."

The show Friday night should draw a mixed bunch to the 40 Watt, and such a sight is nothing new to Kinney. Citing that he's "not a snob," he said he plays to all kinds of people.

"We're kind of a melting pot of a melting pot. We get a good cross section of people," he said. From townies to frat boys, all kinds show up to see them play.

"The music will be new to somebody somehow. Music is just music. You use it for different things," he said.

Kinney has lived in Athens for a while and has seen a lot of bands come and go. Though he is usually on the road, either solo or with the band, he made his own observation about Athens.

"It's a weird place," he said. "It's like Mayberry, except the Jesus Lizard plays there."

After such a long stint in the same band, Kinney said he remains relaxed about it.

"We're all three different people from three different walks of life," he said. "That's what makes it work and has for 13 years."

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