The Bottle Rockets set out to film first DVD

Note: Photo courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

"It's way overdue, and there are so many good ones out there," said The Bottle Rockets' lead singer Brian Henneman, in regards to filming a live DVD. "We figured we might as well do it."

Henneman is right. The alternative-country staple has been alive and kicking since 1992, and it's about time for one of their live shows to be documented. That's why their concert Saturday night at The Highdive in Champaign will be filmed for a release on Bloodshot Records somewhere (not too far) down the line.

"There's no proper film footage of what we do," he said. "This is going to be a straight-ahead deal, encompassing all the eras of the band."

The director of the DVD will be John Boston of Chicago, known for his work with his company Whiskey Bender Productions.

In addition, The Bottle Rockets are fresh off the heels of their 15th Anniversary tour, which saw them playing setlists created by fans. It forced the band to learn some material they hadn't played in a long time, and it's safe to say some of the selections may end up on the DVD.

"Sometimes it was songs we hadn't played in five years," Henneman said. "It was a lot of fun and good for us. No matter what we've been doing for the last 10-12 years, we had to pull out any song at any given time."

But why The Highdive?

"From a technical end, it's great," Henneman said. "It's easy to film in, with a good setup. They are letting us take it over for the entire day, to set up."

Moreover though, it may be the location. Henneman said it's the perfect middle ground between Chicago and St. Louis, where a lot of their fans will be coming from.

"There's no big expense for getting there," he said. "It just kind of pointed its fingers at The Highdive."

2009 is shaping up to be a busy year for The Bottle Rockets. In addition to the DVD, the band is also looking to release their new record, Lean Forward, sometime soon. Expect a few new songs at the show, since the DVD will most likely be released after the new album comes out.

The DVD is the thing on Henneman's mind right now though, and it's best to just expect what The Bottle Rockets do best.

"It's just going to be us doing what we do, nothing outrageous or outlandish," he said. "We just wanted to do it before we got too old."

The Bottle Rockets will be at The Highdive, 51 E. Main St., Champaign, Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, and doors open at 6 p.m. There will be no opening act, as the show is being filmed for a DVD.