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,
Stone Cold Rage
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somethin′ like I ain't never seen
I been out to California
And to St. Augustine
Somethin′s happenin' in the backwoods
An' it′s spreadin′ out like water
Stone cold rage in the hinterland
Mamma's gonna be a martyr
I ain′t sayin' that I don′t understand
I ain't sayin′ we don't all need to be free
I ain't sayin′ that I got some better plan
But I ain′t askin' no one to follow me
Stone cold rage in the alleyway
Somethin′ like I ain't never seen
I been out to California
And to St. Augustine
Somethin′s happenin' in the backwoods
And it′s spreadin' out like water
Stone cold rage in the hinterland
Mama's gonna be a martyr
People talkin′ ′bout a revolution
People talkin' ′bout takin' it to the streets
Some folks say there′s no solution
Some folks ain't waitin′ around to see
I ain't sayin' that I don′t understand
I ain′t sayin' we don′t all need to be free
I ain't sayin′ I got some better plan
But I ain't askin′ nobody to follow me
Stone cold rage in the alleyway
Somethin' like I ain't ever seen
Been out to California
I been to St. Augustine
Somethin′s happenin′ in the backwoods
And they're spillin′ it out like water
Stone cold rage in the hinterland
Mama's gonna be a martyr
Mama′s gonna be a martyr
Mama's gonna be a martyr . oh
Stone cold rage ... hey
Mama′s gonna be a martyr
The song Stone Cold Rage by Gov't Mule speaks of a growing discontent and anger that is spreading like wildfire across the country. The lyrics convey a sense of unease, fear and frustration about the current state of affairs. The song posits that something is brewing in the backwoods and it is spreading like water. The singer has seen this rage in the alleyway, but he has also been to California and St. Augustine where he has seen the same rage brewing. The situation is so bad that it is going to create a martyr, someone who fights for a cause and ultimately dies for it.
The song doesn't go into detail about what the cause is, but it speaks of revolution, taking it to the streets, and people not waiting around to see. People want to be free, but they don't have a plan of how to achieve it. The singer acknowledges that he doesn't have a better plan either, but he is not asking anyone to follow him. The song speaks to a growing frustration with the status quo, and a desire for change, even if it is not clear what that change should be.
Line by Line Meaning
Stone cold rage in the alleyway
There is intense anger and aggression present in the dark alleyway.
Somethin′ like I ain't never seen
The level of violence and hostility is unprecedented for the singer.
I been out to California
The singer has traveled to California.
And to St. Augustine
The artist has also visited the city of St. Augustine.
Somethin′s happenin' in the backwoods
There is a sense of change or revolution occurring in the rural areas.
An' it′s spreadin′ out like water
This change is rapidly gaining momentum and expanding outward.
Stone cold rage in the hinterland
There is also an intense anger and aggression present in the rural regions.
Mamma's gonna be a martyr
Someone (perhaps the artist's mother) is likely to become a martyr or suffer greatly as a result of the upheaval.
I ain′t sayin' that I don′t understand
The artist is not denying that they comprehend the reasons for the societal unrest.
I ain't sayin′ we don't all need to be free
They also acknowledge the necessity of freedom for everyone.
I ain't sayin′ that I got some better plan
The singer doesn't claim to have a superior solution to the current situation.
But I ain′t askin' no one to follow me
They are not attempting to lead anyone or impose their opinions on others.
People talkin′ ′bout a revolution
Others are discussing the possibility of a significant societal change.
People talkin' ′bout takin' it to the streets
Some are considering taking their protests and demonstrations to public areas.
Some folks say there′s no solution
There are individuals who believe that there is no remedy to the current situation.
Some folks ain't waitin' around to see
However, some are not content to simply wait for change to happen on its own.
Stone cold rage in the hinterland
The intense anger and aggression present in the rural areas is emphasized once again.
Mama's gonna be a martyr
The fear that someone (perhaps the singer's mother) will experience grave consequences remains.
Stone cold rage ... hey
The chorus is repeated to further emphasize the intensity of the societal upheaval.
Mama′s gonna be a martyr
The song ends on the same note of foreboding and concern for the artist's loved one.
Writer(s): Warren Haynes, Daniel Louis Schliftman
Contributed by Chase G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jeremiahjamsband
This tune kicks ass!!!🤘❤️🔥🎶
@ryanalopez3078
Love this tune 💪
@tripjet999
The Blues Deluxe radio show brought me here! Great track.
@rottendrums
now this is real music!
@totc6196
Sad isnt it, warren haynes is the fucking man.
@bobbettebequette9530
Bad ass song!
@cosmicflippinhiggins2204
My love of Mule brought me here! -- Got Mule?
@ryebread8925
The 🐴 is straight 🔥
@RockHiddenGems
Oh so good! Thanks Pandora for alerting me to the new album.
@stancampbell9232
Such a nasty, nasty riff. A modern James Gang sound.