CLUTCH BIOGRAPHY
So, you think you know Clutch, right?
They’re a little punk? Well, yes, but there
again…they’ve a hint of metal? True.
However, don’t they also have a touch of the
stoner about them? Sure. And while we’re at
it, let’s not forget the southern rock influence.
Come on, you know what that means. Clutch are genuine
individuals, icons for musical excellence who confound
the modern desire for putting everything into neat
boxes. They’re a classic rock band with an
ultra modern sweep.
In
the virtual two decades, since they first came
to everyone’s attention, the Maryland marvels
have constantly evolved and revised their music,
never standing still long enough for anyone to put
a critical saddle onto their thoroughbred ideals – this
bronco ain’t ever been broken in, nor broken
down.
From
the ‘Pitchfork’ EP in 1991, Clutch
have set standards, never followed trends. They’ve
released a succession of urgently inspirational albums,
from 1993’s ‘Transnational Speedway League:
Anthems, Anecdotes And Undeniable Truths’ through ’95’s ‘Clutch’,
onwards to ‘The Elephant Riders’ (1998), ‘Pure
Rock Fury’ (2001), ‘Blast Tyrant’ (2004)
and ’05’s ‘Robot Hive/Exodus’.
But their moment has truly arrived with new album ‘From
Beale Street To Oblivion’ – a record
that won’t so much fit into a new era in rock,
as confidently define it.
“This is probably the most ‘live’ album
we have recorded,” enthuses vocalist Neil Fallon. “We
went out for a few weeks, and played the music on
the road. So, when we went into the studio,
all f us knew exactly what was going to happen -
a first for Clutch. I don’t know why we haven’t
done it this way all along, it’s so much easier.
”We also recorded the basic tracks directly onto tape. Nothing
digital in there at all. We haven’t done that since ‘The Elephant
Riders’. And this record has a few more bluesy
elements than has been the case in the past, but
nothing so blatant that it could be called alien
to what we do.”
Together,
Fallon, guitarist Tim Sult, bassist Dan Maines,
drummer Jean-Paul Gaster and organist Mick Schauer
have created a masterpiece, one that certainly
hugs the band’s illustrious past, but takes
it even further. It has a retro warmth, wrapped up
in a contemporary blaze.
“This time we chose Joe Barresi to produce
the album,” continues Fallon. “Why him?
Because he has produced some great sounding records
in the past, for bands like Kyuss, Tool, Melvins,
Queens Of The Stone Age, to name but a few.
We were based at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles.
It took three weeks to record, and one week to mix. Joe
actually mixed ‘From Beale Street To Oblivion’ without
us being there, as we had to bail to support Motorhead
in the UK and Europe. That’s an indication
of how much faith we had in the guy.”
It’s a faith that’s been remarkably
well rewarded. Here’s an album that floods
the room with riffs, melodies, vitality - and grooves.
“Musically,
we’ve become much more of
a rock ’n’ roll band now, as opposed
to being a metal or hardcore one,” reveals
Fallon of the way Clutch have developed. “Our
style is riff oriented, with a swing. It’s
never been a calculated move; we just followed our
instinct, and that is leading us closer to those
bands to whom we listened in our childhood. Bands
which are now termed as ‘classic rock’.”
When you listen to this album, those names will
be obvious. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Faith No
More, Kyuss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Cheer, Motorhead...all
are referenced, but never emulated. This is heritage
music re-distributed by a 21st Century attitude.
Further proof of a continual growth, as this band
plot its course by the stars, not by every passing
light.
Clutch
now deservedly belongs among the elite. And they’ve got a crucial sense of humour. Be honest,
great rock music should make you smile – that
is mandatory.
It also helps that there’s been a business
stability around these five guys for some while,
as Fallon explains:
“This is our third album for DRT Entertainment
(following on from ‘Blast Tyrant’ and ‘Robot
Hive/Exodus’). We’ve never previously
done more than two records in a row for any other
label, so this is a new territory for us! A lot of
that is because this is a smaller company, and they
understand what the band is about.”
While their past is impressive enough, the present
and future for Clutch suddenly looks even brighter.
“Where do we fit into today’s scene?” laughs
Fallon. “I really couldn’t tell you!”
With this new album, it’s more a case of where
everyone else fits in with Clutch. ‘From Beale
Street To Oblivion’ is gonna take them to greater
heights than ever before. Welcome aboard – enjoy
the trip. The wheel is about to be re-invented.
- Malcolm Dome
Older biographical
information.
