For 27 years, a little band based out of Atlanta, GA called Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ has been delivering their own brand of punk infused southern roots based hard rock music. 27 years yet I could walk out on the street today and be hard pressed to find five strangers who have ever heard of these guys. It’s an age old story really. I mean, how many groundbreaking amazing bands push on year after year and go on un-noticed? I’m sure there are way too many to count. I have been a Drivin’ N Cryin’ fan for over 20 years and they are just one of those bands that whenever I hear them, I find myself saying, “Everyone should know who this band is.” Drivin’ N Cryin’ embodies everything I love about music and being a musician. There are no stones left unturned or any rhyme or reason behind what they do. They express themselves and their influences without the worry of criticism. They can do the punk thing (Powerhouse, Syllables), the metal thing (Smoke, Fly Me Courageous), and even dip into Kevn’ folk roots (Catch the Wind, Straight To Hell). Kevn Kinney walks this thin line of being Neil Young and Joey Ramone all at the same time. He’s a man with a lot to say and through his music has touched, influenced, and inspired countless people including myself. It’s an amazing story that deserves to be shared with the world and I was so pumped to see that a documentary was being made about this legendary staple of southern rock culture.
Director Eric Von Haessler began following Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ around from show to show on their 2011 25th Anniversary tour compiling footage and interviews for his documentary “Scarred but Smarter: Life & Times of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’.” The documentary has been over 2 years in the making and it was just announced this week that the film has been finally completed. The documentary will be a two hour feature and will feature lots of archival footage of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ and Kevn Kinney along with interviews from past and present members of the band as well as Peter Buck of REM and other artists that have been involved with Kevn and the band over the years. I am so glad that Drivin’ N Cryin’ and Kevn’s story will finally be told and done so while everyone is still alive and well. Far too often are stories like this told after it’s too late and a band member has fallen ill or passed away. Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ are still very much alive and well and making some of the best music of their career. I just hope that maybe this story will bring some much deserved appreciation for a band that is much deserving of it.
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