When the Allman Brothers Band reformed in 1989 in response to the popularity of the Dreams box set, Warren Haynes was added on lead guitar and Allen Woody on bass. The two shared a love for '60s power trios, like Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and James Gang. With no bands making similar music in the 90s (except ZZ Top), Haynes, Woody, and former Dickey Betts drummer Matt Abts came together as Gov't Mule during Allman Brothers' breaks. (It is likely that Haynes and Abts first met during the recording of the Dickey Betts Band CD "Pattern Disruptive" in 1988.) They released their debut album the selftitled Gov't Mule in 1995. It was followed by Live from Roseland Ballroom.
When it became apparent that the Allman Brothers weren't planning on recording any new material, Haynes and Woody left to concentrate full-time on Gov't Mule in 1997. Dose, the studio follow up to their first studio effort, was released in early 1998. They were joined by members of the Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, and Parliament/Funkadelic for their 1998 New Year's Eve concert. This was released in both a two and four CD version as Live ... With A Little Help From Our Friends. The band exposed some of their roots with covers of Neil Young, Free, Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Mongo Santamaria (via John Coltrane) and Frank Zappa.
In 2000, the band released Life Before Insanity to critical praise. Many thought that this would be Gov't Mule's breakthrough CD. However, Woody was found dead in New York City in August. Haynes and Abts considered breaking up the band but did stage a concert called "One for Woody" to raise money for his daughter's education. The Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, members of the Grateful Dead, and other friends of Woody also performed at the concert.
At both the "One for Woody" performance and other shows, Haynes began appearing with the Allman Brothers Band again. With Dickey Betts' departure from the Allmans, Warren came back full time to the band at the beginning of 2001 and has continued splitting his time between the Allmans and for a period Phil Lesh and Friends and the reformed Dead as well as Gov't Mule (performing acoustic gigs with just Haynes on guitar and Abts on percussion and as The New School of Gov't Mule with Widespread Panic's Dave Schools on bass and Chuck Leavell, formerly of the Allman Brothers and known for his current work with the Rolling Stones on keyboards).
The next year, Haynes and Abts began to record a tribute CD using Woody's favorite bass players. These sessions resulted in two CDs The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001) and The Deep End, Volume 2 (2002). A documentary of the recording sessions was also made by Phish bassist Mike Gordon called Rising Low. Bass contributions to the CDs came from Jack Bruce of Cream, John Entwisle of The Who, Mike Watt of Minutemen, Les Claypool of Primus, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Chris Squire of Yes among others.
When it came to touring in support of the Deep End CDs, Haynes and Abts used a revolving door of keyboardists and bassists. Keyboardists included Chuck Leavell, Rob Barraco of Phil Lesh and Friends and Zen Tricksters, Phish's Page McConnell and Danny Louis. Bassists included among others, Dave Schools, Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten of the Flecktones, George Porter Jr. of The Meters, Greg Rzab formerly of The Black Crowes and the Buddy Guy Band and Andy Hess, also formerly of The Black Crowes. Louis and Hess were eventually added as permanent members of Gov't Mule. They continue to tour extensively and have become staple acts at many music festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Vegoose, and their annual New Orleans Jazzfest night show (where they filmed and recorded the last show of the Deepest End tours, with 17 guest musicians in a 6 hour show) wich was released on CD/DVD as The Deepest End, Live in Concert.
The first CD with Louis and Hess Deja Voodoo was released in September 2004. Additional material from those sessions was released in 2005 as and EP entitled Mo' Voodoo.
The new lineup's second release, titled High and Mighty, was released on August 22, 2006.
A third, Mighty High, was released in 2007 it features reggae and dub versions of classic Mule covers and originals with special guest appearances by Willi Williams, Michael Franti and Toots Hibbert,
Little Toy Brain
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So look at the shape that you're in
But fools never compromise, they go out in flames
So out with the old, in with the new
What in the world has happened to you
What goes on in that little toy brain
Who'll sweep out the wreckage, who'll sing the refrain
Did you wash it all away
So you cried like a baby asking for more, still you don't know where you've been
Ain't it high time you woke up, took a good look around
You're killing yourself, damaging your soul, all in the name of sweet rock and roll
What goes on in that little toy brain
Who'll sweep out the wreckage, who'll sing the refrain
And after the smoke clears, is there anything left
Did you wash it all away
"Hold me, I'm lonely," you say to yourself
The only one who will listen now
So what does it mean when you finally explain you were never good at apologies
I've got some pride left, but it's plain to see
It's been earmarked for emergency
So what ever happened to your blind faith, did it crumble away
Like me, like me
What goes on in that little toy brain
Who'll sweep out the wreckage, who'll sing the refrain
And after the smoke clears, is there anything left
Did you wash it all away
Did you wash it all away
Did you wash it all away
Tell me what goes on in that little toy brain
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's song "Little Toy Brain" highlight the destructive consequences of pursuing fame and success in the music industry at any cost. The opening lines suggest that the singer was warned about the pitfalls of the industry but chose to ignore them. As a result, they're left feeling broken and hollow.
The chorus poses a series of questions about the state of the singer's mind and soul, asking who will clean up the mess they've made and whether anything meaningful remains once the dust settles. They're haunted by hollow feelings of loneliness and a desperate need for validation that they ultimately can't receive from anyone but themselves.
The final verse suggests that the singer realizes the error of their ways but is too stubborn to apologize for the harm they've caused. They acknowledge that their pride has been damaged, but they've reserved it for "emergencies" rather than using it to make amends. The song ends with a reprise of the chorus, emphasizing the emptiness that remains after the singer's reckless pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
So you thought you could handle it, yeah didn't they all
You were confident that you could handle the pressure, but so were others before you.
So look at the shape that you're in
Look at the terrible state you are in due to your actions.
But fools never compromise, they go out in flames
Fools refuse to make concessions and end up failing spectacularly.
So out with the old, in with the new
It's time to get rid of the past and embrace the future.
What in the world has happened to you
What events have caused you to end up in such a sorry state?
What goes on in that little toy brain
What thoughts and actions are taking place inside your childish mind?
Who'll sweep out the wreckage, who'll sing the refrain
Who will clean up the mess you've made and take responsibility for what has happened?
And after the smoke clears, is there anything left
Once the chaos has settled, will there be anything remaining?
Did you wash it all away
Did you erase or eliminate all the evidence of your actions?
So you cried like a baby asking for more, still you don't know where you've been
You begged for forgiveness like a child, yet you still don't understand the extent of your actions.
Ain't it high time you woke up, took a good look around
Isn't it about time you realized the reality of the situation and assessed the damage you've caused?
You're killing yourself, damaging your soul, all in the name of sweet rock and roll
You are slowly destroying yourself and your soul for the sake of rock and roll.
Hold me, I'm lonely," you say to yourself
You try to comfort yourself by saying you are lonely and need support.
The only one who will listen now
No one else is willing to listen to your troubles or complaints.
So what does it mean when you finally explain you were never good at apologies
What is the significance of admitting that you have never been good at apologizing?
I've got some pride left, but it's plain to see
You still have some pride, but it is obvious that you have lost much of it.
It's been earmarked for emergency
Your remaining pride is reserved for when you really need it.
So what ever happened to your blind faith, did it crumble away
What happened to the unwavering faith you once had? Did it disappear?
Like me, like me
Did you crumble away just like your faith?
Did you wash it all away
Did you erase or eliminate all the evidence of your actions?
Did you wash it all away
Did you erase or eliminate all the evidence of your actions?
Tell me what goes on in that little toy brain
Please reveal what is taking place inside your childish mind?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind