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3/18/01 - 5:20 PM - Shepherdstown, WV - Sitting at Clutch house in Shepherdstown. Turns out it's only 30 miles from my house. Great view of the Potomac river from the porch. Just finished watching Half Baked w/ Justine, Tim, and Dan. J.P. arrived a little bit ago, and the bus just pulled up w/ Neil, Angela, Jack, Joe, Lee, Chet and the almighty man behind the wheel, Darrell. Lots of stuff is being transported from the infamous Jam Room to the bus. Looks like it's about time to roll out. I brought some clothes, some cameras, a note pad, some flyers, a spiffy pro-rock.com banner, and a thoroughly trained liver. Lee just passed out some shirts and sweatshirts from a friend's iron working company. DFM (Don't Fuck with Me) Industries. Back has Iron workers and "Veterans of the trade." Nice. Let's get this show on the road.

10:11 PM - No show tonight, so we're in Harrisburg for the evening. Pretty laid back. Just watched the Sopranos. This bus is all tricked out. 2000 VanHool. Satellite dish, DVD, big ass flat screen TV's, surround sound in front and back lounges, and even little 6 inch TV's that flip down in every bunk. Mini TV's even have inputs so I can watch the videos from the camera. And to top it off, the old man brought the PlayStation 2. This is nicer than my apartment. State College tomorrow.

6:06 PM - State College, PA - Got to stop at a Sleep Inn to de-funk. For those that don't know the routine, it's like this. The bus stops at a hotel early in the day to get a room for the driver, and a room for the band and crew to shower and "celebrate" (if needed) in. Then it's off to the show. Unless the venue has a shower, then the hotel part is skipped.

Had my first run in with Kenny Rogers' Roasters. Interesting. Kept thinking of Kramer. "Bad chicken! Mess you up!"

Loaded everything in at the Crowbar. Neil just did a radio interview that will hopefully help end the KFC madness. It's amazing the power than one bio has. Helped set up merch booth, put up the ol' pro-rock.com banner, and picked out a place to film. Then I cut out about 4356 laminates. Heading back in now to hang some posters. I think I'm the official interior decorator of this tour. New shirts for this tour. Album cover on gray. Also have lots of promotional shit with Clutch logo from Jagermeister to hand out. Matches, lighters, shot glasses, and t-shirts. Swag heaven. Stept On and Lifer to open tonight.

3/20/01 - 2:02 AM - Just got done loading out. Great show. Good crowd. Here's the setlist. It was Tim's tonight. In case you don't know, the band members take turns picking out the setlist.

12 OZ.
PETERBILT
SMOKE BANSHEE
I
II
OUTLAW
TEXAN
----------
CAREFUL W/ MIC
PRF
8X OVER - SL. RETURN
EL JEFE
---------------
BRAZEN/JAM/DRUM CHOICE
WWTR
BFP/MARKET
1 EYE $
------------------
SPACEGRASS/TSVSG

Helped set up and maintain merch booth

Reheated a McD's double cheese and 3 McNuggets for breakfast. So far, Boston looks like NW D.C. I wonder if I'll get to meet Toll Booth Willie. Quintane Americana and Roadsaw to open tonight, so it oughtta be a good show. Mental note - less whiskey through straw.

5:37 PM - Band is sound checking. Helped set up again. Middle East is pretty nice, except having to carry shit up and down steps. There's some merch people here talking biz. There's talk of using a still from the Philly '97 video I shot being used for a poster. Pretty nifty.

Part of the merch area is a display done by J.P.'s sister to raise money for her to participate in a 3 day walk to raise money for breast cancer research. The band is giving away the Jagermeister swag and stickers in exchange for donations. Nice little setup that benefits everyone involved.

3/21/01 - 1:04 AM - Another great night. Quintane Americana and Roadsaw played great sets. Picked up the new Roadsaw CD and a swell fuzzy black light poster to boot. Clutch's set ripped as usual. Phat D.'s list tonight.

ANIMAL
IMPETUS
PRF
EARTHWORM
DRAGONFLY
SOAP
RED HORSE
MONSTER
12 OZ.
SINK 'EM LOW
ELEPHANT
BRAZEN
PASSIVE
IMMORTAL
I-->II

Big News I & II weren't even on the list, but they busted 'em out anyway. Filmed from a few angles tonight. Boston kids are hardcore. Every other guy's knuckles were split from something. One guy even had electrical tape wrapped around his fucking fists in preparation for something. Scary shit.

Little known fact: the riff in American Sleep is actually from a song clutch played when they were Glut Trip.

Chillin' in the back lounge. Lot's of heads up here in Bean Town. Met Lee's pal Clarky. 98% of male names end in "y" in Boston. River from Tree is on the bus. Some guy named Pancho FROM Hazmat Magazine was doing an interview with Neil, but River commandeered the recorder and is conducting a most interesting interview w/ Neil and Tim, and is recording over Pancho's girlfriend talking in her sleep. This is going to sound a bit odd to someone on the outside, but that's half the beauty of it. "Thinking man's hardcore" is a term that just came up. Has a nice ring to it.

Just got some new tour news. Clutch will be touring the US in May with Tree, Murphy's Law and Vision Of Disorder. Only one confirmed date as of tonight, but it's a good one. Red Rock, CO on 5/11 opening for Offspring. There's also a possibility of a benefit show in Massachusetts in April, but that's still up in the air.

More and more radio adds for PRF keep coming in. It was also the #2 highest selling rock album on soundscan its opening week. Not too shabby for thinking man's hardcore. The record also hit #135 on the Billboard Top 200. Much better than Elephant Riders did. Further down the road, the second single released will probably be "Careful With That Mic."

Band is sound checking. Rex's is pretty tiny. Capacity of 300, I think. It's got a small stage, several plush couches, old skateboard decks on the wall (I should donate my old Alva decks), and numerous flyers for a band called Shitty Beetles. This could be a sweaty little show up in here.

9:10 PM - Sitting behind the merch booth w/ Cousin Chet. Just had the good fortune of coming across someone that can post some info for me. Haven't had access to a puter for days and it's bugging the piss out of me. This place is going to be bursting at the seams and hot as fuck. Bring it on. So far I met 5th Gear, Witch, and Elephant Rider from the board. Also ran into Tom from Upper Darby, PA w/ all the Clutch tattoos. Even got to meet Scott from Inner Journey Records (Pitchfork 7 inch). Scott - hook me up with that test pressing, brother! 5th Gear brought pics of Clutch rockin' the ski resort earlier this month, which I'll add to the site when I get home.

Opening bands tonight are The Cougars and Chicks Dig Us.

10:03 - Some weird shit just happened. Did you ever see the episode of Howard Stern on E! when the band Wolfpac from Philly was on as guests? One of the guys is from the Bloodhound Gang, and they hang out with porn stars. They have a VERY large, round, tattooed and pierced D.J., and he got naked on the show. He's also in the opening credits for the CBS show. Anyway, I met that guy. His name is Tiny. He picked me up like a bitch. Glad I got a picture of that one.

3/22/01 - 1:47 AM - Another great tiny club show. Pretty punk rock, Small venue, but packed with great fans. Not sure how footage turned out. Tried to film from side of stage, but not sure how well it'll turn out. There is absolutely nowhere to film from in Rex's. It was J.P.'s list tonight. Here it goes:

SINK 'EM
PASSIVE
8 X OVER - SL. RETURN
RED HORSE
MONSTER
-----------------
CAREFUL
ANIMAL
MARCUS
AMERICAN SLEEP
BORDER
7 JAM
HORSES
PETERBILT
RATS
OPEN--> OUT

Club owner let band and crew chill into the wee hours of the morn. Rex's crew are pretty cool guys. Ralphie from The Mob is here. Turns out Neil sang on a Mob song. Who knew? Since I vomited several times the other night, I missed the traditional shot of Jack Daniel's with Jack and Joe. So they made up a rule that I had to do 3 tonight. So I did. Then did another three. Then moved on to draft something. Kept it real, though. I already had my night of heaving. Won't let it happen again.

Clutch raised $625 for the breast cancer walk tonight. The to top it off, the owner of Rex's donated $1000 in cash! That earned him the remainder of the case of Jagermeister/Clutch shot glasses. Thank you, Rex's.

Just got my hands on a laptop and posted some stuff on the board. Thanks to Brandon at The Odeon. This place is sweet. I like the layout. Also saw the poster Derek Hess did for the gig tonight. Amazing. It was done entirely with a toothbrush. I love this guy's work. You should check it out. On a similar note, Clutch will probably be playing the Hess Fest at The Agora sometime in April. It's an outdoor gig with lots of bands.

6:30 PM - Just got done my duty. All those lovely fliers and matchbooks you see so delicately, yet painstakingly arranged on nearly every available surface - that's my work. Impressive, eh? Thank you. After the show I get to experience Buffalo Wild Wings for the first time. Looking forward to that. Opening bands are Wall Of Sound and Disengage. It's Neil's list tonight.

3/23/01 - 1:07 AM - Once again, another great show. Disengage were pretty damn good. Snagged a CD. Here's Clutch's setlist:

SMOKE BANSHEE
PETERBILT
PASSIVE
SINK 'EM
PRISON PLANET
----------------
SOAP
IMMORTAL
----------------
12 OZ.
PRF
WWTR
BFP
DOLLAR
OUTLAW
BRAZEN
7 JAM --> TSVSG

The show ended before 7 Jam. I noticed Neil's voice cracking a bit during the set. Hope it's nothing too big.

Met Don Q. & Mrs., mclutchhead, smoke banshee, ehg420 and Mr. Softee again. Once again, met several others that didn't reveal their identity. Did merch w/ Chet and Jake (Disengage). Lots of fun. I think I could do this shit regularly. Gave out a little extra swag to the pro-rock heads, including after show party passes. Hope y'all enjoyed that shit. Nice meeting everyone. Everyone I've talked to (from the site) has been great. No psychos or midget porn experts. I have never met more sincere and dedicated fans of any band in my life. There was this couple in the VIP section upstairs that gave me their seat so I could film. I told dude I'd put a picture of his tattoo on pro-rock in return. Here you go, brother. Tomorrow's Columbus. Can't wait. For now, it's more wings, a few Coronas, and a bit of Smuggler's Run. Simmer down, kids.

2:36 AM

2:33 PM - Just pulled up to Harpo's. I have never seen anything even remotely close to the quality of the highways we were just on. Could barely go 30 MPH. Unbelievable. I will never rag on the quality of PA's roads again. I've also noticed that there are many places that a body could go undiscovered for quite a while around here.

5:50 PM - Cousin Chet ran into some car trouble and ran a little late today, so I got to contribute considerably more with merch setup today. Helped Jack D. with that, then went about my decorating. This place is excellent. I love the layout, architecture and everything except the neighborhood. I can see this joint blowing the fuck up in a few hours. I've heard about the legendary Detroit Clutch shows for years, and I'm about to be right smack dab in the middle of one. There's already 1500 tickets sold in advance. This is going to be fucking nuts.

3/25/01 - 3:06 AM - Show was phenomenal as expected. Here's list (Tim's):

8 X OVER - SL. RETURN
PRF
SMOKE
----------
HORSES
SOAP
DRAGONFLY
--------------
PASSIVE
SINK 'EM
BRAZEN
RATS
------------------
CAREFUL
BORDER
PRISON PLANET
IMMORTAL
I --> II (played, but not on setlist)

Opening bands were Insekur, Twitch, Rotation and Hatework. Didn't see any except for which ever one looked like GWAR, but sounded much, much worse. Met Sam I Am, Dan C., Motor City Mike, Dave V., Ted Smith, Tommy Z., KJD, Miss O., and Dirk & Tommy from Atlantic. This crowd was all about muphuckin' Clutch. Buying up merch like I've never seen. Clutch tore shit up, playing all kinds of favorites. Even added Big News as a bonus.

Helped crew load out. Fans and extra security everywhere. After loading out, I got ushered into a car w/ J.P. driven by Tommy the Atlantic rep. Listened to a CD given to me by thebirdscarer w/ J.P.'s radio interview from 2 days ago. Got to the after show party at the I-Rock (Detroit's only L.A. Style Club - I love it! Hilarious!) where shitloads of people had already made it there somehow. Band signed all kinds of stuff for fans, including a huge Transnational Speedway League promo poster that I had never seen before. Chatted w/ Ted, KJD, and MC Mike before doing several tequila shots w/ the band and crew. This was not the last I'd see of that Goddamn tequila on this trip. Tried to film some of what was going on, but it was a little difficult. Band and crew had 2 security guards around at all times. Big fans in Detroit. Clutch is like fucking Michael Jackson up here in Motor City.

At this time, I'd like to give big props to Dennis and the boys from The Outlaws from the Clutch crew.

Got back to Harpo's and got on bus. Bus drove for about 5 minutes and stopped. Saw a White Castle and got some burgers with Tim. Since the bus had moved for 5 minutes we figured that we were out of Harpo's shitty neighborhood. Got back on the bus and realized that it had just gone in a circle, and that we had just wandered through murder central at 3:00 AM for White Castle burgers. Had I known we were still in hell, My lily white ass would have stepped off that bus for all the White Castle in the world. Live and learn.

Band and crew dinner later this evening. Right on.

10:38 PM - Sweet Jesus. I'm going to go on a bit more about the arctic conditions, so if you're bored with that by now, please skip over this. There's a T.G.I. Friday's about ¼ mile (or so it appeared) up the highway. We decided to walk. Actually, the first idea was a race. Everybody would have to race to Friday's, and the last one there couldn't eat. This was Big Poppa's idea. That was scrapped because he figured half these fools would take 10 steps, say "Fuck this," and go to the Cracker Barrel next to the bus. Besides, it's too Goddamn cold for that shit.

Anyway, we figured we'd walk. It was only about ¼ mile. How bad could it be? I was going to be prepared. I put on extra chap stick. Fuck a warmer coat, but I had chap stick. Jack and some of the other guys left first. Then me, J.P., Dan and someone else headed out. We were walking into the wind. At first, we were bitching and joking about the cold. After about ½ way there, no more talking. This was serious. It's all about survival. I wondered if we would all die along that stretch of strip mall highway. When we actually made it to the restaurant, I felt like I had just scaled Everest. Sweet victory.

Nice dinner, good grub, and the big-ass-32-ounce-margarita-in-a-fish-bowl-jammies were flowing steadily. The 80's new wave music on the overhead speakers added a nice ambience. Very nice. The walk back wasn't as traumatic thanks to the big ass margaritas and having my back to the wind.

It's a bit warmer here, thank God. Henry Rollins is staying in the same hotel we are. Joe just had to let him in. We sent him a bus-to-bus memo/invitation to the show tonight. Opening bands are Satan On the Loose and Dumpster Juice. Tasty names.

6:13 PM - 1st Avenue is a great venue. Not just because of the air hockey table. Not just because the staff is cool as hell. Not just because Purple Rain was filmed here. It's because they have a freakin' T1 line! I just posted another update on the site, and finished decorating. I may be making a Clutchgear banner similar to the pro-rock one for the next tour. Phat D is working on tonight's setlist. I've got to get some grub on here directly.

3/27/01 - 1:31 AM - Yup. You guessed it. Another great show. I wonder what it would take for me to classify a show as shitty? Hmmmm….. Anyway, here's the setlist:

12 OZ.
PETERBILT
WWTR
IMPETUS
PRF
--------------------
TEXAN
EARTHWORM
OUTDOORS
I
HORSES
II
-------------------
CAREFUL
RED HORSE
ELEPHANT
-----------------
SINK 'EM
IMMORTAL
DRAGONFLY

First time I've heard Great Outdoors on this tour. Sounded damn good. Filmed from a great location. Think it turned out real well. Another fella, Bill Henson filmed as well. Footage may be used for a PRF video. Turns out Bill turned down a position playing guitar in Clutch back in 1991. Tim hated leads and wanted to play rhythm. They recruited Josh "Pearl Jam" Levine instead, and recorded Pitchfork. Then he was gone. But I digress.

Satan On The Loose was... different. Chick came out covered in fake (i guess) blood and wielding a medieval axe, spouting lyrics about killing your parents. It wasn't even shocking. Just silly. Now Dumpster Juice, there's a force to be reckoned with. Homeboy that sang had a wrestling leotard type deal goin' on, and he chain smoked. Beyond that, I thought the songs were pretty fucking good, too. I have a hunch that using the "f word" is mandatory in descrbing these guys.

The Rave is pretty cool, but kinda creepy. Don't expect to hang flyers there. "It'll tacky up the place." As if the purple paint didn't take care of that. Anyway, it's got about 17 floors. The show tonight is in the basement. On the main floor is another club-type area. 2nd floor has some funky, yet elegant dining rooms for whatever reason. Reminds me a lot of the hotel in The Shining. 3rd floor looks like a combination of a high school gym and a Roman coliseum. Completely empty and dark as hell. I was told that this was a big place for Golden Glove boxing in the 20's. Then there's an attic which I didn't even want to fuck with. I've also been told that below the basement there is another level with a very old swimming pool and some tunnels and some other shit. We're supposed to get a tour later. Overall, it's pretty creepy. I was hanging flyers downstairs, and 2 toilets flushed by themselves in the bathroom. And it wasn't because of an electric eye or anything since they're super old. The one area that wasn't creepy was the dressing room. It was amazing. Looked like the Taj Mahal. Elegant tapestries draped everywhere, tons of lava lamps and funky bubbly liquid lights, big giant piles of plush pillows, and funky lamps and pottery. Looked like the inside of a genie's bottle. Super cool.

Doors open soon. Roast and Kick Stand to open.

3/28/01 - 1:12 am - Another good show. B-Keepa's stomping ground was hoppin' tonight. J.P.'s list. Here it is:

7 JAM
TSVSG
WISHBONE
8 X OVER
IMPETUS
-----------------
RED HORSE
ELEPHANT
MARCUS
PRF
SINK 'EM
PETERBILT
AMERICAN SLEEP
FRANKENSTEIN
IMMORTAL
DRAGONFLY

Got to meet Joe & Pete from WMSE, dude that drove from Chicago to PA for the Ski show, D.J. from the street team, Brew Town from the message board, Mike & Dave who came in a limo, and 2 audio tapers. Hook me up with copies, guys. Listening to one of their tapes from the last tour right now, and the shit is bomb quality. Incredible.

4:02 AM

1300 tickets sold in advance. Gonna be hoppin'. I've been told that the Grand Rapids shows can sometimes rival Harpo's. We'll see. Thunder Chicken and Kamilla to open. Met a few guys from Thunder Chicken, and they were cool as hell. Off to prepare for the show and help set shit up.

3/29/01 - 12:47 AM - Really good show. Neil's list tonight. Even threw in the very rare encore. Here's the list:

BRAZEN
IMPETUS
SHOGUN
WWTR
BFP - DRUM SOLO
1E$
PRF
WISHBONE
I
HORSES
II
SINK 'EM
SMOKE BANSHEE
PRISON PLANET
SOAP
IMMORTAL
---------------------
ANIMAL
PETERBILT

Lots of hardcore fans. Met Dan K. for Big Hard News, and he hooked us up w/ BHN swag. Saw Ted S. again, Steve R. who taped as well, Gordy from A-Frame, Dogslayer from the board, and this hardcore guy that was handing out doses. Also met this guy who works at a beer distributor who hooked us up with some Beck's. Thanks a million. Thunder Chicken was pretty damn good.

I feel like Santa Claus. I've been handing out all kinds of free swag to fans this whole tour, and they fucking love it. It's great. Everyone has been very appreciative.

Generator on bus was acting up earlier, but is fine now since Boss man Darrel is back. Guess it just missed him. Off to go decorate, hang posters.

6:02 PM - It finally happened. Somebody busted their ass on Oslo's scooter. It was me. I was tearin' shit up for a while. Almost mastered jumping. I started by clearing a wire on the floor, then a cup on its side, and then a cup standing up. Then I slipped off and gashed my knee open. Should've worn my Rectors.

3/30/01 - 2:12 AM - KTB ripped. Glad I could watch it from the monitor. Very energetic Clutch show. Fans were hardcore. Hellacious pit. Lots of big Meatheads. Think I got some good footage. Good setlist. It was Chunk Rock's. Here it is:

PRF
MONSTER
OUTDOORS
MARCUS
8 X OVER/MAD JAM D TUNE
IMMORTAL
ANIMAL
PETERBILT
WHO KNOWS JAMMY
PASSIVE
SMOKE B.
EL JEFE
TEXAN
SINK 'EM.
12 OZ.
CAREFUL
SPACEGRASS/TSVSG

Lots of folks chanting the proverbial "Binge & Purge," but to no avail. Neil informed them it was a battle they couldn't win. Didn't make any difference. Must be the recessive genes. (Had to get at least one WV jab in.)

Met lots of great people. Met some scary people. Met lots of people on acid. Chet and I kept feeding the kid selling Solace merch Heineys. Think he was lit by the end of the night.

2:47 PM - Brooklyn, NY - Wow. Nice neighborhood. L'Amour is barely noticeable from the outside. Talked to the owner. Club used to be much bigger. Twisted Sister, Kix, and White Lion used to rock it there. Then rock shows became less profitable, and techno shit drew more kids and money, so he cut the club in half, turned the good part into a dance club, and left a little stage for the rock shows. In talking to him, I can tell he sincerely wishes it were the other way around. But as a businessman, what do you do?

3/31/01 - 2:13 AM - Great way to close a tour. Totally packed, hot and loud as hell. Dan's list. Here it is:

PRF
WWTR
BFP
ONE EYE $
DRAGONFLY
IMMORTAL
IMPETUS
CAREFUL
RED HORSE
ELEPHANT
BORDER
I
HORSES
II
OUTDOORS
YETI
8 X OVER
PRISON PLANET

Spirit Caravan ripped as usual. One of the heaviest bands around. Wino is a living legend. Neil dedicated "Open Up The Border" to Sherman, and he came out and sang. Can I get a "Hell, yeah?" How about a "No, Huh uh?"

Met lots of heads from the board. Rev X, 5th Gear Karl, Tharris, CG, Matt, MagicKen, Justin Smith (Simpsons pic). Fake 111 (Steve Tru) shot pix tonight. Send me copies, fool. Met the guys that had the ER logo made into hockey jerseys. They're actually a team. Outstanding. Lots of folks from Atlantic in the house. Jimmy Gestapo from Murphy's Law is in the house, or bus. Whatever.

Just saw the new press kit and promo shots. Press kit is nice. Good selection of articles/interviews. They'll all be up on pro-rock soon. Promo glossies are nice. One is picture of everyone in a studio, and they all look rather disappointed. The other one is better. Tim looks all Slayer in it.

Talked to some folks from Atlantic that expressed sincere interest in using the footage I shot on this tour for either a Pure Rock Fury music video, or a full length home video, or both. We'll see how that turns out.

Steve Tru just brought Rob from High Times back to the back lounge. He's the guy that did the big article on Spirit Caravan (Steve did the photos) in the May 2001 issue. He said he's love to do an article on Clutch. We'll see how that turns out.

Neil & Angela