FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. INTO THE DEEP END: A SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH GOV'T MULE
2. THREE STAR-STUDDED SHOWS CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Mule rides again on the Jersey shore on Sunday, July 7th! Few bands personify the classic rock ethic more than Gov't Mule, fronted by the insanely talented singer, songwriter and guitarist veteran of the Allman Brothers Band, Warren Haynes. Haynes, along with Matt Abts, have brought their sound into the 21st century, blending the energy and unpredictability of a classic jam band with a disciplined virtuosity that makes every Gov't Mule show a unique and memorable musical document. The newsletter caught some time with Warren Haynes and dummer Matt Abts to discuss the ambitious "Deep End" project, a tribute their late bassist Allen Woody, who helped Haynes form Gov't Mule, when they both left the revived Allmans in 1997. The band has learned just how many friends they really have, both among their peers in the music world, and a legion of loyal fans.
The Stone Pony: Gov’t Mule’s latest full-length CD is “The Deep End Volume 1”, thirteen tracks, each featuring a different bassist. The album was recorded as a tribute to your late bass player, Allen Woody, and features an impressive array of talent, including Bootsy Collins, Flea, John Entwistle and Les Claypool. Can you share how this selection of guest musicians was assembled, and some of the challenges the band faced in putting this project together? Was all of the music recorded live in the studio, or were the guest musician’s tracks added to songs already recorded by Warren and Matt?
Warren Haynes: After "Woody" died, we didn't think we could continue. Eventually we came up with the idea that, since it was time for us to do another studio record, we would ask all Woody's favorite bass players to each contribute one track. We made a long list, thinking that many would not be interested or available, and, much to our surprise, everyone we spoke to was into it. That's why it became two CD's. We recorded predominantly "live" in the studio, in the G.M. tradition.
Matt Abts: The "Deep End" project was started on a whim, just an idea actually, to see who would be interested in doing some playing with us (Warren & Matt). At the time we weren't really looking for a fulltime member, but wanted to know who was available for whatever. We really didn't know ourselves. Les Claypool was one of the first people we talked to and he said 'yeah, whatever you guys need, in fact there's a studio I know of that is available right away'. Warren and I were already in San Francisco, so we thought, 'hmm, we got Les, we got a studio, who else is available'. Let's just call every bass player we had ever wanted to play with, which was every one Alan Woody loved and was influenced by. So by hook or crook we obtained phone numbers and asked people if they would be interested in being involved, and they all said yes, or no one said no. Things snowballed into a full-blown project, we were excited again, we put up our own money (we were without a record label at the time), and just ran with it. We had nothing to lose at this point. Every musician was totally into the project and almost everyone played live in the studio, with the exception of Bootsy and Jason, due to scheduling problems.
The Stone Pony: Is there a release date scheduled for “The Deep End Volume 2”? Is the format of that CD going to be a similar format to Volume 1? Can you share any information about some of the guests players who fans can expect to hear on that recording, and some of the music that is going to be included?
WH: Vol. 2 comes out September 21, featuring Les Claypool, Chris Squire, Tony Levin, Phil Lesh, Jack Casady, Me'Shell NdegéOcello, etc. For more info, log on Mule.net.
MA: DE2 will be released Sept. 2002. Players include Les Claypool, Rocco Prestia, Phil Lesh, Alphonso Johnson, Chris Squire, Me'Shell NdegéOcello, Billy Cox, Tony Levin, Dave Schools, Jason Newstead, George Porter, Jack Cassidy. Each and all players involved contributed their valuable time and energy to this historic recording, we can't thank them enough, we thank them again.
The Stone Pony: Your web site mentions that the “The Deep End” project will conclude with a film documentary “Rising Low” (formerly “On The Banks”), directed by Phish-bassist Mike Gordon. Please share with our readers how this project was put together and what fans can expect to experience when they watch this film. Can you announce when and how fans will be able to get a copy of this DVD?
WH: The DVD "Rising Low" will come out later in the year. Mike Gordon was hangin' out with us in California for the New Year's shows, and wound up playing four songs with Matt & myself. Two days later we were supposed to start recording so we asked Mike if he would like to document the project. It was his idea to turn it into a full-blown film - he hired a film crew, filmed every session, interviewed every bass player and most special guests. He also shot a lot of "behind the scenes" footage including a lot about Woody's life and about "bass" in general.
The Stone Pony: For The Deep End project, you made a conscious decision not to re-record any existing Gov’t Mule material. All of the tracks are either new Gov’t Mule originals, or cover songs the band hadn’t recorded before. How was the decision made to proceed with the tribute in this manner? What was the process for selecting the tracks to be included on these albums and which performers would be asked to contribute to each song?
WH: We weren't interested in making a "tribute" CD even though we are paying homage to Woody. This is meant to be the next "GM" CD or CD's. The problem that most people have with "tribute" CD's or all-star line-ups is that usually its re-doing existing material, and usually each person is only available for a really short window of time. This, in my opinion, causes the music to suffer. We made sure that each bass player spent at least one whole day with us. We wanted every one to be equally represented, so the bigger task was marrying the right song to each bassist; some songs were written specifically for the bassist; and some songs that were already written just seemed perfect for certain of the bassist's styles. The few covers that we did were for that reason as well.
The Stone Pony: “The Deep End Volume 1” is the first record Gov’t Mule released for ATO Records, which was founded by Dave Matthews. How did the band decide to sign on with ATO and how have you enjoyed your relationship with the label so far?
WH: When we became a free agent in 2001, we owed it to ourselves to talk to every interested label, but in the back of our minds we hoped it would be "ATO". We're old friends and we respect them as people and as businessmen. They understand what we are and that's a big plus.
The Stone Pony: The band has been touring extensively for the past few months, including a series of dates opening for the Dave Matthews Band. The tour has been highlighted by guest appearances by Jason Newsted, formerly of Metallica, and Audley Freed, of the Black Crowes. How well has your most recent material worked when performed live, and how does the band feel about their sets with Newsted and Freed? Is there an additional emotional element to your performances when you play songs recorded as a tribute to Allen?
WH: All of the guest musicians have done an amazing job with us and the crowd really responds well to their presence. There are a few songs, like "Banks of the Deep End", that are emotionally difficult, but that's part of the healing process.
The Stone Pony: Gov’t Mule has been highly regarded as a “jam” band, bringing elements of improvisation into your energetic live sets. Many of today’s best-selling rock acts perform live shows that are little more than reproductions of their recorded work, and rarely give their fans unusual or experimental performances when they attend a live show. How does the band approach the creation of their live set, and what is the trick to having an improvisational set that makes magic instead of a big mess? Do you have an opinion on the lack of these elements among many of the new bands who are touring these days?
WH: It's much more fun, for the band, to play different shows every night and since there are so many what we call "repeat offenders", coming to multiple shows, we want to make sure they see a different show every night, too. However, equally or more important are the locals who only get to see one show on the tour and expect to see some of their favorites. We keep a log of every set list and make sure we play a different show than the last time in a certain town or surrounding areas. Plus, the whole taper scene has gotten so huge, our live shows get sent around the globe, so people in any town can hear what you played on any given night. As far as improv is concerned, it's what we were all raised on. We've been jamming our whole lives. Having an audience that encourages that is key.
The Stone Pony: Warren Hayes has spoken about how improvisation is tied to southern music, and how it is no coincidence that jazz, blues and rock music were all born in the South. Can you offer any insight into what is it about the southern experience that has led to the creation of all of these musical art forms, and why musicians from the South, to generalize, seem more comfortable creating free-wheeling and less-structured forms of music?
WH: I think since RnR, and jazz, and blues were all born in the southern U.S., southern musicians, especially years ago, got a first-hand, unique exposure to all these elements. New Orleans was the birthplace of so much great music, due to the melting pot of African, Latin, & European cultures being brought to the great port city. These days anyone, anywhere, can study any type of music, and that's great, but it takes some of the regionality out of it.
The Stone Pony: How has the past two years changed the direction of the band musically? Warren Haynes’ songwriting has always drawn from an eclectic set of influences. Do you consider your most recent work a reinforcement of Gov’t Mule’s sound, or are you looking to explore new styles as you continue to write and perform? Does keeping such an exhausting tour schedule increase the risk that the material will become stale, or does it give you more freedom to continually play with the moods and phrasing of the music?
WH: I think the new album represents growth and exploration, but still stays true to our original vision. It is hard for me to write on the road, but we have so many projects in "the can" now, they can't possibly all come out by the end of 2003.
The Stone Pony: Has the band finalized a line-up for their two-set appearance at The Stone Pony on July 7th? With all of the musicians who have been sharing the stage with Gov’t Mule over the past several months, is there a part of the band that looks forward to an extended tour with just the members of the band in performance? Has any thought been given yet to follow-up projects to The Deep End series, and does the band still see a long-term future performing for your fans?
WH: GM will be Warren and Matt joined by Audley Freed & Andy Hess of The Black Crowes, along with Danny Louis on keyboards. We love playing with guests but we also love playing with just the stripped down band. We'll continue to do both in the future.
Fans can learn a lot more about Gov't Mule, purchase merchandise and download music samples from their official web site, www.mule.net.
Now at asburypark.net: Paper: Bruce will do live TV show from Asbury Park. The New York Daily News says that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will appear on NBC's Today show live from Asbury Park July 30.
Just when you thought that the Pony wouldn't be able to top the fantastic shows on Memorial Day weekend, here comes the Fourth of July. The club has signed three don't miss dates for July 3rd, 5th and 6th to celebrate the nation's birthday!
On Wednesday, July 3rd, Pony favorites John Eddie and Glen Burtnik will be joined by special guests Joe Bonnano to start off the celebration. Born in Richmond, Virginia, JE honed his musical talents playing clubs from Philadelphia to the Jersey shore. Eddie is currently in pre-production for a new album, but returns to the club to share some gas guzzlin', deep-fried rock 'n' roll with the faithful. Burtnik, a veteran of the infamous Stone Pony House Band, Cats On A Smooth Surface, has been touring with Styx in recent months, and returns to the Pony stage to showcase music from all facets of his impressive career. At his last appearance, one of the highlights of the show was a moving version of his hit, "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough", and fans in attendance at that gig will be hoping for a repeat performance. Both Eddie and Burtnik recently contributed tracks to the Jersey James, Jersey Cares tribute CD. The CD, produced by the Jersey Jams Fund to benefit the children of local victims of the September 11th tragedy, is being sold at the July 3rd show, so fans should be sure to pick up a copy before going home. Eddie's contribution to the disc is his classic rocker, "American Thing". Burtnik wrote a new track, "Window of the World", after September 11th, which is available only on this record. A fantastic chronology of the creation and recording of that track can be found of Burtnik's web site. Fans can check out more on John Eddie's official web site, www.johneddie.com, Glen Burtnik's site, www.glenburtnik.com and the Jersey Jams Fund official site, www.jerseyjamsfund.org.
On Friday, July 5th, the bill will be headlined by Gary U.S. Bonds and Nils Lofgren. These two stars have performed some of the Pony's greatest shows over the past couple of years. Nils should feel quite at home on The Stone Pony Summer Stage, where he returns in support of his brand-new CD, Break Away Angel (Vision Music). The new album, released in March, showcases Lofgren's songwriting skills and represents another standout solo performance by this member of the E Street Band. Once Nils is finished heating up the Summer Stage, Gary U.S. Bonds follows up inside The Stone Pony at night, to continue his tradition of memorable evenings at the club. Bonds' connection with his Pony audience is always tremendous fun to be around, and there aren't too many performers who have as much fun during a gig as he does. Bonds, whose backing singers including his beautiful wife and daughter, knows what turns his fans on, and will be performing many of the standards found on his King Biscuit CD recorded at the club in November 2000. The official web sites can be found at www.nilslofgren.com and www.garyusbonds.com, respectively.
We're not done yet! Last year, Clarence Clemons made Stone Pony history, performing four incredible shows in a single weekend. This year, fans have only one shot to see The Big Man on the Summer Stage, as he presents the weekend's highlight on Saturday, July 6th, with special guests Steve Forbert and The Nick Clemons Band. The most popular member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Clemons' saxophone has become as much of a rock signature as his Boss' lyrics. His solo concerts are infrequent events, so this is a rare opportunity for fans to see Clemons up close and personal. At his past appearances under the Jersey sun, Clemons was very conversational with the crowd, telling stories and sharing bits of information about his life and career. This openness, coupled with incredible talent and a killer band, makes his shows riveting celebrations of the church of what's happening now! Clemons' cool Flash web site can be found at www.clarenceclemons.com.
Please be sure to check The Stone Pony event calendar for gate and performance times for all of these events. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and Pony ticket outlets.
Congratulations Sprout!
The Stone Pony House Band Search is over, the judges have made their decision, and the winner is: Sprout! Our congratulations and thanks to the four other finalists -- Matt Witte's New Blood Revival (who finished second by just one point), Brown, Evelyn Forever and Jody Joseph & the Average Joes -- to all the bands who took part, and to all the artists who wanted to take part. Watch for details on a special compilation CD featuring many of the bands who participated.
Thursday Nights. Bounce Thursday: The Ultimate Dance Party with DJ Matrix and MC BJ, 20-oz. $1 drafts and $1 tube shots all night long, ladies free until 11, $5 with Monmouth University ID, 18 & up for everyone with two forms of ID, doors at 9:30.
