CLUTCH

Formed in 1991 in Germantown, MD, Clutch features Neil Fallon (vocals), Tim Sult (guitar), DanMaines (bass), and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums).

The band built a local following throughconstant gigging. After releasing the classic 7” single“Pitchfork,” the band caught the attention of Earache Records. Earache released the legendaryPassiveRestraintsEP. Shortly after the release ofPassive Restraints,EastWest Recordssigned the band. Theirdebut LP,Transnational Speedway League..., followed in 1993.

A self-titled album appeared two years later on Atlantic Records and afforded Clutch their firstmainstream exposure, as the label released a trilogy of psychedelic-tinged singles, "Big News,""Spacegrass,"and "Escape from the Prison Planet."

A lengthy and very successful North American tour with Marilyn Manson put an exclamation pointon this early part of Clutch's career.

The band jumped to the larger Columbia label for 1998'sElephant Riders.

Clutch re-joined the Atlantic ranks in 2001 for their 4th studio album, the six-figure sellingPure RockFury. The band enjoyed their first Top 40 single,"Careful WithThatMic.” A year later,however, theband was torturedwith label problems, and it was three years before the sonically brilliantBlastTyrantwas released by indie label DRT Entertainment.

In the meantime, the band had self-released the studio albumJam Room,and their first concert releaseLive at the Googleplexon their own River Road Records. These two pieces would eventually see thesurface through Megaforce Records a few years later.

The 36-month period from 2004 to 2007 saw heavy, non-stop touring ofNorth America andEngland,mainland Europe, the Scandinavian territories, and Australia. The band was now in top playing shapeand writing the most challenging material of their career.With a decade of experience behind them,Clutch was now passingoroutlastingmostof their mid/late 90's contemporaries.

Clutch's 7th studio album, 2005'sRobot Hive/Exodus(DRT), produced by J. Robbins, was anotherbreakthrough release, showcasing a diversity most rock bands could never dream of pulling off.

2007'sFrom Beale Street to Obliviontook off whereRH/E's final track "Gravel Road" left off.Ahardened, simple blues approach with power took the former Germantown High School compatriotsto the next level. The album’s lead single, "Electric Worry," wasn't just another successful Top 40rock single, with itsanthem-like chorus and high energy guitar jam/drum soloclimaxmaking it aninstant Clutch classic.

In 2008 the four band members and longtime manager Jack began forging plans for the Clutch ownedand operated label, Weathermaker Music. Initially self-distributed, Weathermaker Music quicklyfound a home at Sony/RED Distribution. Since 2013 the labelhas beendistributed via Rough TradeDistribution/Believe and its sub-distributors in Europe.

Clutch's 9th studio album,Strange Cousins From the West,was released in 2009. It debuted atNo.37 on theBillboardcharts, initially becoming the best-selling Clutch release of their storied career.

In 2013 Weathermaker Music releasedEarth Rocker,which went straight toNo. 1in theBillboardTop Hard Rock Albums,No. 6in theBillboardTop Rock Albums, andNo. 15in theBillboardTop200. “Earth Rocker” has been described as heavier andfaster than the preceding albums.

Clutch released their 11th studio record,Psychic Warfare, in 2015 via Weathermaker Music. Thealbum reached No. 11 on the Billboard200and No. 1 on both the Hard Rock and Rock charts. 

On September 7, 2018, Weathermaker Music released the 12th Clutch album,Book ofBad Decisions.The album charted No. 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Charts and came in at No. 16 on theBillboard200. Simultaneously the album entered various European and Australian charts.Rolling StonedescribedBook of Bad Decisionsas“bathed in the grit and liberal fuzz tone that have made their liveshows legendary.” Clutch had become recognized as one of the best rock acts of the modern era.

Decades of global touring have been one of the main drivers of Clutch’s success. Whether in clubshows around the world, or big festival appearances on several continents, fans love and continue tosupport this band. The global pandemic may have halted the band’s live appearances over the last 21months, but Clutchisnow back on the road,witha new album expectedfor2022. Stay tuned.