MATT ABTS

Matt Abts is best known as one-third of the power trio Gov’t Mule. The concept began on an Allman Brothers Band tour bus. Warren Haynes and Allen Woody reminisced about the lack of modern-day power trios. Woody suggested Matt Abts, and Gov’t Mule emerged.

Matt’s first high school experience with music was followed by regional performances around Virginia in an array of bands. Matt relocated to Florida where his hard work paid off, and he started playing with Dicky Betts and Chuck Leavell. Matt met Warren Haynes while recording Pattern Disruptive in 1988 with the Dicky Betts Band.

In 1994, Matt moved to Los Angeles where Gov’t Mule performed for the first time. Three years later, the members devoted all of their time to Gov’t Mule and relinquished their roles with other musical outfits. During that time, Gov’t Mule toured and recorded five albums. Their sound could be described as a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Steppenwolf, full of big riffs, massive grooves, and expansive improvisations. However, in 2000, bassist Allen Woody unexpectedly passed away. Matt and Warren continued working to release Deep End I and II, before releasing the Deepest End, a DVD tribute to Woody featuring more than thirty of the greatest bass players of all time (including John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, Larry Graham, Alphonso Johnson, and Flea).

In 2002, old friend Danny Louis joined Warren and Matt on keyboards and the following year, Andy Hess began playing bass for the band. In 2004, they released Déjà Voodoo and toured extensively in support of the album. They continued recording (Best of the Capricorn Years, High & Mighty, Mighty High) and are currently touring the U.S.

Matt also regularly performs with Blue Floyd, a Pink Floyd tribute band of sorts. Blue Floyd imparts a high-energy blues sound on top of classic Pink Floyd tracks.