About
Also known as: Government Mule, Govt Mule, Gov´t Mule
Gov't Mule built their reputation on exactly the kind of sprawling, exploratory live performances that most bands only dream about. Founded in 1994 by Warren Haynes and Allen Woody, both then members of the Allman Brothers Band, alongside drummer Matt Abts, the group drew from a deep well of influences including Cream, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Mountain. Their debut album landed in 1995, and Dose followed in 1998, but it was onstage where they really let loose, stretching four minute songs into quarter hour jams with rotating guest musicians. The death of bassist Allen Woody in August 2000 hit the band hard, but they pressed on, recording the two volume Deep End tribute with an extraordinary roster of guest bassists including Jack Bruce, Flea, Les Claypool, and John Entwistle. Eventually keyboardist Danny Louis and bassist Andy Hess joined as permanent members, and the 2004 album Deja Voodoo won the Jammy for Best Album. The 2007 dub and reggae side trip Mighty High, featuring guests like Toots Hibbert, showed a band never content to stay in one lane.
