Multi-night runs have become routine for the Drive-By Truckers when the band returns home to play Athens. This time around, however, longtime utility player John Neff won’t be in tow.

“This band has always changed and morphed, and I think our ever-changing tides are a big part of our longevity,” says lead singer and guitarist Patterson Hood. Despite Neff’s recent departure from the band, Hood hopes the Truckers are “finally beginning a new stage of longer-termed stability.”

The three-night 40 Watt residency will also feature other local talent handpicked by the hometown headliners. Thundercrack, a band comprised of DBT’s road crew, will be doing a Bruce Springsteen cover set on Thursday; Çitlin’ Southern Soul Revue will also perform. Friday’s show will feature Grass Giraffes, a band Hood notes has been one of his “favorite new bands in town for several years.”
Saturday night's show will open with Velocirapture and the Camp Amped Band. Beforehand, folks can take advantage of the Nuçi’s Space pre-party on Saturday at 4 p.m, where attendees will have the opportunity to check out DBT memorabilia and win raffled prizes.

This year’s homecoming residency will kickstart a busy 2013 for the Truckers. In addition to beginning work on a new record in March (which will have a sound Hood describes as “more punk rock than anything [we've] done since about 2000”), the band will reissue its 2000 live album, Alabama Ass Whuppin’, complete with new artwork by longtime DBT collaborator Wes Freed.

Although there’s a chance new songs might get previewed this weekend, Hood is confident that fans in attendance will be satisfied regardless of the setlist, saying, "If New Year's Eve in D.C. [was] any indicator, it's going to be a really kick-ass weekend in Athens."