Jorgen Carlsson has replaced Andy Hess as Govt Mules permanent bassist. Hess privately announced his resignation earlier this year, and Govt Mule has spent the past six months quietly rehearsing, jamming and hanging with Carlsson. Hess officially joined Govt Mule in 2003, three years after the death of founding bassist Allen Woody.

We were faced with the daunting task of replacing a one-of-a-kind musician, which I’m sure was intimidating for Andy, who did a wonderful job and brought his own personality into the music, Govt Mule leader Warren Haynes said in a statement. Jorgens style is somewhere between Woody’s and Andy’s. He brings some of Woody’s aggressive spirit back although he is very much his own man. Having worked with Jorgen over the last several months, we are very excited to explore some new directions while at the same time going back a little closer to our roots.
Carlsson was born in Sweden and has worked as a session musician and studio owner since arriving in the United States in 1991. As previously reported, Govt Mule will kick off its Kinder Revolution tour at Burlington, VTs Flynn Theatre on October 30. The quartet will also release a new DVD entitled The Tale of Two Cities, which features two complete shows drawn from Hess time with the band.