Concertwire.com

Southern rock outfit Govt. Mule is well known by jam band followers for their big riffs and expansive improvisations. Allman Brothers Band members Warren Haynes and Allen Woody founded the band as a side project and debuted in 1995 with a self-titled album. In 1997, when it became apparent that the ABB didn’t plan to record new material, Haynes and Woody left to concentrate on Gov't Mule, building a strong fan base through near-constant touring and performing at multiple festivals including Wakaursa, Bonnaroo and Vegoose. Various bassists subbed after Woody’s death in 2000, including Flea, Mike Gordon and Bootsy Collins. On 2004’s Déjà Voodoo, Gov't Mule's first studio effort since Woody's death, new bassist Andy Hess came on board along with new keyboardist Danny Louis. The same lineup released High & Mighty in 2006, and the two-volume Benefit Concert series followed in 2007.