Since its formation in 1991, the band line-up has included Neil Fallon (vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards), Tim Sult (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dan Maines (bass, backing vocals) and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums and percussion). To date, Clutch has released thirteen studio albums, and several rarities and live albums. Since 2008 the band have been signed to their own record label, Weathermaker.
Clutch (originally called “Glut Trip” and stemmed from “Moral Minority”) was formed in 1991 by Dan Maines (bass), Jean-Paul Gaster (drums), Tim Sult (guitar), and Roger Smalls (vocals) in Germantown, Maryland. Smalls soon departed and was replaced by Neil Fallon, a longtime schoolmate of the other members at Seneca Valley High School. The band quickly gained notice through constant touring. The 12" single “Passive Restraints” on the Earache label was Clutch’s first commercial release, garnering attention from other labels. Their debut LP, Transnational Speedway League, was released in 1993. It was followed by a self-titled album two years later that gained Clutch mainstream exposure. The band moved to the larger Columbia label for the 1998 album The Elephant Riders. They followed it in 1999 with a self-released groove-based album Jam Room.
On April 28, 2009 Clutch released Slow Hole to China, a collection of unreleased tracks.
On June 10, 2012, the band released a new single, “Pigtown Blues”, on iTunes, backed with an acoustic version of “Motherless Child” from Strange Cousins from the West.
On March 16, 2013 Clutch released their tenth album Earth Rocker which entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #15 giving Clutch their highest chart position to date. It would remain on the chart for a total of 5 weeks. The album also reached #4 on iTunes’ overall Top 100 album charts and was #1 in their rock chart. Earthrocker won “Album of the Year” 2013 from British publication Metalhammer, and was rated highly on many rock/metal magazines’ and websites’ end-of-the-year “Top Tens”.
In an interview on January 7, 2015 with music and entertainment company 88 Miles West, Fallon stated that the band was heading to Dripping Springs, Texas, to record their upcoming eleventh album. Fallon states the venture to Texas was due to the relocation of record producer Machine, with whom they worked on Blast Tyrant and Earth Rocker, and who recently opened a new studio there. He stated in the interview that “Septemberish, give or take a couple of months” is when they hope to release the new album.
Their eleventh studio album is titled Psychic Warfare, and was released October 2, 2015. Fallon said the concept is influenced by science fiction author Philip K. Dick. “His general philosophy and questions have always crept into my lyrics, because I share an interest in it,” he adds. “On Earth Rocker, ‘Crucial Velocity’ was definitely a Philip Dick song for me. On this record, ‘X-Ray Visions’ certainly is.”. Gaster described the new material as more diverse than ever.
In April 2018, Neil Fallon announced through the radio station The Eagle Rocks that the band's twelfth studio album would be titled Book of Bad Decisions. The album will be released on September 7, 2018. The album was recorded at Sputnik Sound Studio in Nashville, Tennessee with producer and engineer Vance Powell.
On November 13, 2020 Released The Weathermaker Studios Vol. 1. A collection of re-recorded hits and 4 unreleased covers and songs.
On September 16,2022 Clutch released their 13th Studio album: Sunrise on Slaughter Beach.
Between 2004-2018 Clutch created seven straight top 10 releases on Billboard’s Independent Album Chart.
Neil Fallon – vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, keyboards, percussion
Tim Sult – lead guitar
Dan Maines – bass guitar
Jean-Paul Gaster – drums, percussion
Gullah
Clutch Lyrics
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Acting foolishly on American Band Stand
Agog with spastic baskets, the latest fashions
Here I am Here I am Here I am
But that chin music sound, oh how it drown
Gotta shake â??em on down
Scaling up the heights of folly.
Kill the lights and bring the music down.
Everybody be quiet.
Sudden movement on the Serengeti, get ready Freddy,
Opportunity only knocks once.
Never mind the fat ones, just go for the slow ones
See how they run see how they run see how they run.
While you busy lighting roman candles on the yellowcake
They shook you on down.
When the rain start falling, boatman calling,
Shake â??em on down.
The flood receding, the mountain appears,
Send out the black bird, send out the dove.
You Babel rabble-rousers
In polyester trousers
Big bright cities.
Ain't no doubt Vishnu missed you, then Kali kissed you,
Better get busy. Better get busy. Better get busy.
Days get shorter, air gets colder,
Tune on in to the N.O.A.A. radio
Scaling up the heights of folly.
Scaling up the heights of folly.
While you busy lighting roman candles on the yellowcake
They shook you on down.
When the rain start falling, boatman calling,
Shake â??em on down.
While you busy lighting roman candles on the yellowcake
They shook you on down.
When the rain start falling, boatman calling,
Shake â??em on down.
The flood receding, the mountain appears,
Send out the black bird, send out the dove.
The song starts with the acknowledgment that Jesus is watching us act foolishly on American Band Stand, focused on the latest trends and fashions, represented by "spastic baskets". The subject talks about the hypnotic music that drowns out the world around them, but eventually they need to "shake 'em on down" to break free from this spell. The second verse speaks of climbing the heights of folly, in a sense reaching for the top of what is foolish and unsustainable.
The chorus repeats the "shake 'em on down" mantra as if to encourage the listener to break free from the illusions that have them trapped. The third verse continues the theme of distraction, speaking about Roman candles and a reference to the yellowcake, potentially referring to the uranium that was supposedly in Iraq before the war. The boatman is calling as the rain starts falling, it's a warning to take action and break free from distractions.
The final verses remind us to tune in to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radio as we experience the colder weather and shorter days. The subject speaks to "Babel rabble-rousers" in a humorous reference to those who think they are building towers of grandeur only to see these structures serve no real purpose. The message is clear: shake off the illusions, stay alert and be ready to act when the boatman calls.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no doubt Jesus sees us
We are being observed and judged by a higher power, so we should be careful in our actions.
Acting foolishly on American Band Stand
We are engaging in behavior or entertainment that is not necessarily beneficial to us.
Agog with spastic baskets, the latest fashions
We are obsessed with material possessions and trends that do not bring lasting happiness or fulfilment.
Here I am Here I am Here I am
We are present and ready for whatever comes next.
But that chin music sound, oh how it drown
We are being overwhelmed by the noise of the world and finding it hard to focus or think clearly.
Gotta shake 'em on down
We need to take action to overcome our distractions and pursue what truly matters.
Scaling up the heights of folly.
We continue to make poor decisions and pursue unwise aims despite the consequences.
Kill the lights and bring the music down.
We need to quiet our surroundings and focus on what really matters.
Everybody be quiet.
We need to create a peaceful environment and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Sudden movement on the Serengeti, get ready Freddy,
We need to prepare ourselves for unexpected challenges or opportunities that may arise.
Opportunity only knocks once.
We must be ready to act when good prospects present themselves, as they may not come again.
Never mind the fat ones, just go for the slow ones
We don't need to pursue the most obvious or flashy opportunities, but instead we should be deliberate and consider strategic advantages.
See how they run see how they run see how they run.
We can learn from others who are successful in their pursuits, and should observe what works and what doesn't.
While you busy lighting roman candles on the yellowcake
We may be wasting our time or resources on things that aren't particularly useful or productive.
They shook you on down.
Someone or something may be manipulating us to their advantage or causing us to fail, despite our efforts.
When the rain start falling, boatman calling,
We may encounter difficult or dangerous situations that require our attention and action.
The flood receding, the mountain appears,
After a crisis or setback, there may be an opportunity for growth or triumph.
Send out the black bird, send out the dove.
We must be proactive and take steps to overcome challenges, and may need to seek guidance or help from others.
You Babel rabble-rousers
We may be causing confusion or conflict through our words or actions.
In polyester trousers
We may be trying too hard to fit in or be fashionable, rather than being true to ourselves.
Big bright cities.
We may be drawn to flashy or superficial attractions, rather than seeking genuine connection and meaning.
Ain't no doubt Vishnu missed you, then Kali kissed you,
We may have been overlooked or ignored by certain forces or opportunities, but may still have hope for success.
Better get busy. Better get busy. Better get busy.
We need to take action and make progress towards our goals, rather than waiting for things to come to us.
Days get shorter, air gets colder,
As time passes, conditions may become more challenging or difficult to navigate.
Tune on in to the N.O.A.A. radio
We need to be attentive to our surroundings and gather information to make informed decisions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAN MAINES, JEAN-PAUL GASTER, MICHAEL SCHAUER, NEIL FALLON, RICHARD TIMOTHY SULT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind