Drive-By Truckers documentary to screen at Vancity Theatre on January 31

The Drive-By Truckers gig on March 11 could well turn out to be Vancouver's finest rock show of the year, so if you haven't scored tickets yet, what the hell's wrong with you? It's gutsy, alt-country-tinged southern-rock on a Friday night at the Commodore Ballroom! Brilliant songwriting! Three guitars! Chick bassist! I'm running out of exclamation points!

If you're not sure you like the DBT's yet—even after viewing the above video for "Birthday Boy", the best song of 2010—why not invest seven bucks (including the Vancity Theatre's $2 annual membership fee) to see the new documentary on the band, The Secret to a Happy Ending. It screens at the classy Seymour Street movie joint this Monday (January 31) at 9 p.m.

According to the promotional bumph, the film by director Barr Weissman is about "the redemptive power of rock-and-roll. It’s a film about the American South, where rock was born. It’s about a group of kids that grew up amidst the sweet soul music made in Muscle Shoals, Alabama by black and white musicians while the civil-rights movement exploded all around. It’s about leaving home and embracing the DIY ethos of punk. It’s about making art, making love and making a living. It’s a film about the Drive-By Truckers."

As if that weren't enough to get you psyched, one lucky attendee at the screening will win a copy of the film poster signed by all six band members—including my personal fave, underrated songwriting genius Mike Cooley. It's a limited-edition, 12x18 poster designed by Wes Freed, the Richmond, Virginia-based artist who has worked with the DBTs on their album covers and tour posters for years, and who is also featured in the documentary.

Please God: let me win.

You can follow Steve Newton on Twitter at twitter.com/earofnewt.