To celebrate the release of their latest album, By A Thread, Gov’t Mule treated their family, friends, pre-sale lottery winners, select members of the press and a number of VIPs to a listening party at the gorgeous-yet-comfy Brooklyn Bowl that included a performance by the band. The evening started with the album blaring over the PA multiple times before guitarist Warren Haynes and his band mates took the stage around 9:20.

[All photos by Jeremy Gordon]

As expected, the group played a number of songs from the new album over the course of the 90 minute performance including Any Open Window, Frozen Fear and the blazing throwback Broke Down On The Brazos which opened the show. The new songs all feature that signature Mule sound – equal parts Cream, Double Trouble and ZZ Top. Unlike many other bands, you can actually feel this quartet’s bass-heavy music. In particular, Matt Abts’ Mack Truck-like drumming gets you right in the chest, especially at a venue with a killer PA such as Brooklyn Bowl.

Warren and the boys didn’t ignore the past as they mixed a couple of classic Mule tunes – the tender Beautifully Broken and the intense Thorazine Shuffle – with the By A Thread material and a cover of Alice Cooper’s Is It My Body for the the fairly-subdued crowd. Danny Louis stepped out from the keyboards to tackle some dueling leads with Haynes on Is It My Body. Don’t underestimate Louis’ guitar talents, as he ripped it up from the minute he put on the axe. READ ON for more thoughts and photos…

Mule manager Stef “Mrs. Haynes” Scamardo emerged during the encore break to present a birthday cake to bassist Jorgen Carlsson and drummer Matt Abts. Everyone sang Happy Birthday before the Mule finished what they started with two more delicious new songs. All in all it was a special night for the band and crowd alike. Look for By A Thread in stores on October 27th.