Musically overwhelming, acoustically overbearing and just plain loud. What else would you expect from a jam band? The crowd was a healthy mix of dead heads, regular Joe's and nouveau socialites who came out on this Tuesday night to experience the Mule on their Kinder Revolution tour and keep the scene alive.
As I arrived early to see the opening act Back Door Slam, there were more than a couple guys duct taping their musical recording apparatus to anything they could find bolted down. These guys clearly knew the routine and were hopefully contributing to the bands vast body of recorded musical accomplishment otherwise known as Mule tracks.
Back Door slam was a power trio that I imagine was very much in the tradition of the Mules early roots. Three young men showcasing heavy handed blues rock guitar playing, putting down a solid set of mostly original music. The band and lead guitarist Davvy Knowles have received a lot of positive press as of late and I could see why.
Warren Haynes came out for the last song of their set and totally elevated the bands performance to a higher level. It was clear that Warren was graciously sharing his Mojo with this youngster, helping to pass along the musical torch and leave a lasting legacy with the up and coming generation of talented guitarists. The band was just coming off tour with Kid Rock and now they're on tour with one of the greatest jam bands around. These guys are getting some tremendous exposure right now, and I expect I will be seeing more of these guys in the years to come as they further develop into their own.
Waiting for the Mule to start, I struck up a conversation with a fan who said she had seen the band somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 times over the years, and strangely enough I believe her.
My expectation for the concert was high. This is a band I've tried to see live for the past several years to no avail. The bands chemistry mainly revolves around supporting Warren Haynes explosive guitar playing. Warren set off on a barrage of songs with an endless string of guitar solos, proving in my mind the axiom that sometimes less is more.
The sound was great, and the playing was truly spectacular, however in some ways it was just too much. The band just kept throwing big sound at the crowd, like they were pegged at level ten the entire night. They played for about two hours, took a twewnty minute break, then came back out and got right back at it in a marathon of music. Somewhere in the second set Matt Abts took off with his famous drum solo, finishing off the bit with no sticks, but bare hands to the skins and cymbols bohemian style, now that's dedication to the art.
Very seldom do I leave a concert early, but I finally threw in the towel some time after 1:00am when the band was showing no signs of slowing down and I was just completely spent. As I made my way out of the theater and to my car, I realized that the parking lot attendant had also given up for the night and went home with a parking garage still full of cars, that's the first time I've ever seen that happen.
I think I'd like to see Gov't Mule next time in their true element, a big summer Music Festival like Bonaroo or Rothbury, with hordes of amped fans in the hot sun and dirt. I almost wonder if the Royal Oak Theater is just not the right venue for a band that plays larger than life like the Mule does.
Definitely a great concert, but somehow it was just too much for me to comprehend all in one night, standing front and center right next to the man himself.
Set 1
Bad Little Doggie
Streamline Woman
Don't Step On The Grass Sam
He Ain't Give You None
Kind Of Bird
Left Coast Groovies
World Of Difference
Almost Cut My Hair with Davy Knowles
Set 2
Thirty Days In The Hole
Fallen Down->
The Other One Jam
She Said, She Said->
Tomorrow Never Knows
Painted Silver Light->
Drums
Lola Leave Your Light On
Mule
Encore
Take Your Hand Out Of My Pocket* with Jim McCarty
Let It Rock with Jim McCarty and Johnny B.
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