Got the chance to interview Warren a couple days ago. Talked about all kinds of stuff, Mule turning 20, coming back to Ann Arbor and his friendship with Larry McCray. Also talked a little about the end of ABB. The link has video of parts of our Skype conversation.
http://www.abc12.com/story/27293512/govt-mule-turns-20-stronger-than-ever
ANN ARBOR (WJRT) - (11/06/14) - "It's very much a party atmosphere, which is great," Warren Haynes says with a sly grin. "And of course Ann Arbor is somewhere we've stopped right from the very beginning."
So it's only fitting that Gov't Mule returns to the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor Saturday as the band celebrates it's twentieth anniversary. But when Haynes, drummer Matt Abts and the late Allen Woody played those gigs at Rick's American Cafe and The Blind Pig in the early years of The Mule, they didn't anticipate standing the test of time like the band has.
"It was just a fun project to do. We had no ambitions on doing a second year, or a third year or a fifth year, or a tenth year, or especially a twentieth year. But here we are 20 years later," Haynes said.
While the band has a long history with A2, the last time they made it to town was 2006. Warren says that's normal for the ever-touring rockers, which includes bass player Jorgen Carlsson and keyboardist Danny Louis, along with Haynes and Abts.
"I think it's nice to kind of bounce back and forth to different venues. There's certain ones that we love to play, but each venue kind of brings a different vibe and a little different audience. So it's kinda nice to rotate sometimes."
Haynes says he's excited to get back to the hometown of Bob Seger, Iggy Pop and his Stooges bandmates Ron and Scott Asheton.
"That part of the country is very music oriented, and we love playin' to crowds that are very music oriented. It always feels good to think about the history of the area. And in some cases we might do some musical teases of the local influence and stuff. So you never know, if you keep your ears open you might hear somethin' that reminds you of that stuff," he said.
This is the second Michigan stop on Mule's 20 Years Strong Tour, they hit the State Theatre in Kalamazoo back in September. They got a bit of a musical and spiritual boost from Mid-Michigan's own Larry McCray, who sat in with the band for five songs at the gig.
"We had not seen Larry for awhile, and it was an emotional time for us. We had just lost Brian Farmer, my guitar tech for 16 years (Farmer died Aug. 24. The Kalamazoo show was Gov't Mule's second back on the road after his passing). Larry and I are old friends, and it just seemed like the right thing to do, play the blues with our friend," Haynes said.
Haynes and McCray's friendship goes back to the early '90s, when the former Saginaw GM worker turned bluesman recorded Haynes' song "Soulshine" for his debut album Delta Hurricane. Their bond went much deeper than just one song.
"Larry and I are one day apart in age, he's one day older than me. And we just connected from the first moment we met and we've been friends ever since. He was the first person to record "Soulshine" and I loved his version. We've done a lot of music through the years and it's always a blast to get on stage together," Haynes said.
Gov't Mule isn't Haynes' only band to be celebrating a milestone. The Allman Brothers, of which he's been a member since 1989, turned 45 this year. The band also is calling it quits, finishing off a legendary career in New York City just last week.
"It hasn't completely sunk in, everyday a little bit more. It's been such a huge part of my life, and for all of us. It's a very bittersweet time, it's very emotional," Haynes said.
Through the epic highs and devastating heartbreaks of 2014, Haynes has continued doing what he does best, pouring his soul out on stage night after night.
"It's really been a festive year, but it's been quite an endeavor," he said
[Edited on 11/8/2014 by scottdaugherty]
Got the chance to interview Warren a couple days ago. Talked about all kinds of stuff, Mule turning 20, coming back to Ann Arbor and his friendship with Larry McCray. Also talked a little about the end of ABB. The link has video of parts of our Skype conversation.
http://www.abc12.com/story/27293512/govt-mule-turns-20-stronger-than-ever
ANN ARBOR (WJRT) - (11/06/14) - "It's very much a party atmosphere, which is great," Warren Haynes says with a sly grin. "And of course Ann Arbor is somewhere we've stopped right from the very beginning."
So it's only fitting that Gov't Mule returns to the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor Saturday as the band celebrates it's twentieth anniversary. But when Haynes, drummer Matt Abts and the late Allen Woody played those gigs at Rick's American Cafe and The Blind Pig in the early years of The Mule, they didn't anticipate standing the test of time like the band has.
"It was just a fun project to do. We had no ambitions on doing a second year, or a third year or a fifth year, or a tenth year, or especially a twentieth year. But here we are 20 years later," Haynes said.
While the band has a long history with A2, the last time they made it to town was 2006. Warren says that's normal for the ever-touring rockers, which includes bass player Jorgen Carlsson and keyboardist Danny Louis, along with Haynes and Abts.
"I think it's nice to kind of bounce back and forth to different venues. There's certain ones that we love to play, but each venue kind of brings a different vibe and a little different audience. So it's kinda nice to rotate sometimes."
Haynes says he's excited to get back to the hometown of Bob Seger, Iggy Pop and his Stooges bandmates Ron and Scott Asheton.
"That part of the country is very music oriented, and we love playin' to crowds that are very music oriented. It always feels good to think about the history of the area. And in some cases we might do some musical teases of the local influence and stuff. So you never know, if you keep your ears open you might hear somethin' that reminds you of that stuff," he said.
This is the second Michigan stop on Mule's 20 Years Strong Tour, they hit the State Theatre in Kalamazoo back in September. They got a bit of a musical and spiritual boost from Mid-Michigan's own Larry McCray, who sat in with the band for five songs at the gig.
"We had not seen Larry for awhile, and it was an emotional time for us. We had just lost Brian Farmer, my guitar tech for 16 years (Farmer died Aug. 24. The Kalamazoo show was Gov't Mule's second back on the road after his passing). Larry and I are old friends, and it just seemed like the right thing to do, play the blues with our friend," Haynes said.
Haynes and McCray's friendship goes back to the early '90s, when the former Saginaw GM worker turned bluesman recorded Haynes' song "Soulshine" for his debut album Delta Hurricane. Their bond went much deeper than just one song.
"Larry and I are one day apart in age, he's one day older than me. And we just connected from the first moment we met and we've been friends ever since. He was the first person to record "Soulshine" and I loved his version. We've done a lot of music through the years and it's always a blast to get on stage together," Haynes said.
Gov't Mule isn't Haynes' only band to be celebrating a milestone. The Allman Brothers, of which he's been a member since 1989, turned 45 this year. The band also is calling it quits, finishing off a legendary career in New York City just last week.
"It hasn't completely sunk in, everyday a little bit more. It's been such a huge part of my life, and for all of us. It's a very bittersweet time, it's very emotional," Haynes said.
Through the epic highs and devastating heartbreaks of 2014, Haynes has continued doing what he does best, pouring his soul out on stage night after night.
"It's really been a festive year, but it's been quite an endeavor," he said
Nice interview! Can't wait to see the Mule tomorrow night!!! Still buzzing from seeing ABB on 10/27 & 10/28!!! Expectations are high!!!
thanks for posting
Can't wait to see the Mule tomorrow night!!! Still buzzing from seeing ABB on 10/27 & 10/28!!! Expectations are high!!!
Me either! It is gonna be awesome. Last time I saw them was last year at Bonnaroo. Not their best show. Hoping for better tomorrow.
