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
Tripping the Alarm
Clutch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After defying the grip of the hangman's noose
And recovering my cognizance,
Spun the compass North by Northwest
And took liberty out for a long slow dance.
Took a good look around, what did I see?
A big red tent and people coming in like the tide of the sea.
â??They say this year rock is coming back, Jack.
White gnashing teeth like wolves in the pack.
Carnivorous, no mercy hon.
There's plenty here for everyone so come get you some!â??
10,000 witnesses, show â??em how it's done, son.
Fist full of cottonmouth, rock that podium.
Walk on the ashes, no half stepping, kid.
Their fans are flashing in expectation.
All right now!
â??They say this year rock is coming back, Jack.
White gnashing teeth like wolves in the pack.
Carnivorous, no mercy son.
There's plenty here for everyone so come get you some!â??
Living on the lamb and all cut loose,
Number of the Saints march on in.
Gonna find my executioners
And show them exactly what it means to live.
10,000 witnesses, show â??em how it's done, son.
Fist full of cottonmouth, rock that podium.
Walk on the ashes, no half stepping, kid.
Their fans are flashing in expectation.
All right now!
â??They say this year rock is coming back, Jack.
White gnashing teeth like wolves in the pack.
Carnivorous, no mercy hon.
There's plenty here for everyone so come get you some!â??
â??They say this year rock is coming back, Jack.
White gnashing teeth like wolves in the pack.
Carnivorous, no mercy hon.
There's plenty here for everyone so come get you some!â??
The lyrics to Clutch's song "Tripping the Alarm" seem to be about a person who has narrowly escaped being hanged and is now out exploring the world with newfound freedom. The singer finds themselves at a gathering of some sort, potentially a music festival, and hears a preacher talking about the resurgence of rock music. The preacher encourages everyone to indulge in the rock music they're about to experience, which is presented as a wild and frenzied event with an enthusiastic crowd.
The singer seems to take the preacher's words to heart and decides to live life to the fullest, seeking out their executioners in order to show them that they're still alive and living free. The chorus, urging the audience to show everyone how it's done with a fist full of "cottonmouth" (possibly a reference to adrenaline), encourages everyone to embrace the chaos and excitement of the event.
Overall, the song seems to be about living life to the fullest and embracing the wild and unpredictable nature of the world around us, with rock music as a symbol of that wildness and excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
After defying the grip of the hangman's noose
Following my near-death escape from execution
And recovering my cognizance,
Regaining my consciousness
Spun the compass North by Northwest
Heading in a certain direction
And took liberty out for a long slow dance.
Taking advantage of freedom to indulge in something pleasurable and enjoyable
Took a good look around, what did I see?
Observing one's surroundings
A big red tent and people coming in like the tide of the sea.
A gathering of many people
I ducked in to catch the shade, Preacher jump up all ablaze.
Seeking shelter from the sun, only to encounter an energized preacher
They say this year rock is coming back, Jack.
There is talk that rock music is making a comeback
White gnashing teeth like wolves in the pack.
People eager to engage in rock music and similar thrilling activities
Carnivorous, no mercy hon.
Hungry and merciless
There's plenty here for everyone so come get you some!
There is enough to go around so everyone should join and participate
10,000 witnesses, show 'em how it's done, son.
The crowd should demonstrate their excitement
Fist full of cottonmouth, rock that podium.
Performing with enthusiasm and energy
Walk on the ashes, no half stepping, kid.
Taking bold steps towards success
Their fans are flashing in expectation.
The audience is eagerly waiting for the performance
Living on the lamb and all cut loose,
Living a free but risky life
Number of the Saints march on in.
The faithful are coming in a procession
Gonna find my executioners
Seeking revenge against those who wanted to kill me
And show them exactly what it means to live.
Demonstrating how to truly enjoy life
All right now!
An exclamation of excitement and anticipation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAN MAINES, JEAN-PAUL GASTER, MICHAEL SCHAUER, NEIL FALLON, RICHARD TIMOTHY SULT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind