ETC Magazine, Jacksonville, NC
Tore Up From the Floor Up Tour
Myrtle Beach, SC, 11/17/00

By Keith S. Byers, ETC Correspondent

I thought I was space truckin.’ Hell, with our beer buzzes and two out of the four of us venturing into the psychedelic ozone, I knew this Clutch show had started out on the good foot. Normally I don’t like listening to music of the band I’m going to see—it’s sort of like wearing their shirts at their shows. I just never wanted to be that guy. But, on this occasion the sky parted and the heavy gods threw us some new Clutch to chew on. A demo tape, with some tracks from their upcoming spring release, "Slow HoleTo China," had been leaked to us from an anonymous source.

Once again, Melissa from the House of Blues had come through in fine style for my friends and me. We got our shit and cruised through the door. It was kind of early, and the boys were thirsty so we ambled over to the bar next door for a couple of cold ones.

Clutch—as the name implies, is basically four gears made from forged metal who sling the chunks of funk like no other in the galaxy. Needing a good story, I cruised around back and found sticksman Jean-Paul Gaster putting his shoes on. I’d met him before so I cruised up and asked him if he would like to speak to a lowly journalist.

"Sure," he said. "Come sit down."

J.P. remembered me from a show at the Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill back in ’99. After that show, we got buckled over at the Local 506. J.P. was eager to tell me all about their current double bill with Corrosion of Conformity, and guests, Sixty Watt Shaman and Clutch’s fellow West-by-God, Virginians, Karma To Burn.

I’d been chomping at the bit for the lowdown on the new record and J.P was more than happy to oblige. He said that the title "Slow Hole To China" was from a song that the band had discarded for the time being. The record also featured unique recording techniques.

"We actually mixed live studio tracks taken from the 9:30 club in DC and built them over studio tracks," he said. He mentioned that the album like "Elephant Riders" will have killer jazz elements right along side the four-on-the-floor pounding the band is infamous for.

Before anybody had even started playing some cat with a prosthetic arm took a fist to the jaw and was down for the count in the pit. Stretcher time for this poor bastard as paramedics strapped him to a stretcher and headed for the meat wagon outside. He must not have gotten a shot in, but I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that arm would have probably killed the other guy. Too bad he would be in the hospital just about the time Clutch came on, I thought. Bummer.

Sixty Watt Shaman went on first and their guitarist Joe Selby cranked out thick power from his Les Paul. They’re definitely in the right company for this tour. Karma to Burn hit the stage next and did their unique brand of instrumental redneck rock, much to the pleasure of the slamming throng on the floor.

Clutch casually walked out as the curtain was going up, assumed command and slayed the crowd with "Animal Farm" from the "Clutch" album. They were just spitting in their hands, getting the crowd ready to be chopped to bits sonically. "Prison Planet" was followed by the new-world samurai ditty "A Shogun Named Marcus," and "Wishbone." They seemed to be getting the well-known chestnuts out of the way before unleashing the new jams. Guitarist Tim Sult, as usual, stood still, hunched over his SG all the while riffing out the rock, while singer Neil Fallon’s bearded face twisted, as he barked out the words and prowled the stage like some kind of heavy rock mountain lion

The new stuff still has the familiar guitar sounds, but I did detect more diversity in the riffs. I was right in front of the stage for this show and I could see how happy the "gearheads" were. They lurched through the lumbering "Red Horse Rainbow," "The Elephant Riders," and another killer new one "Brazen Head."

Every time I see this band they look like they have improved as musicians one hundredfold. J.P. in my opinion, is probably one of the best-kept secrets in rock. It won’t be long until you hear the names Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, John Bohnam, and Jean-Paul Gaster mentioned in the same breath in "Modern Drummer."

Clutch finished their set with "Rats" and made room for Raleigh’s favorite sons Corrosion of Conformity. We watched their set from the high glass windows backstage. They have a new album out right now and played the radio tune "Stare Too Long," and "Who’s got the Fire." Jimmy Bower from Down and Eyehategod filled in behind the kit for the injured Reed Mullin who had recently broken his back. We heard a few more good ones "Albatross," "Vote With a Bullet," and "Seven Days" before splitting for Wilmington.