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
You Can't Stop Progress
Clutch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of this great and bless?d society.
I?ve come to understand the wrongful nature
Of gun ownership in the age of monarchy.
But sometimes it?s just so hard
To act like the person you weren?t born to be.
Felonious behavior. Countless misdemeanors.
Bonafide man of action! How you like that?
Bonafide man of action! How you like that?
You can?ts stop, you can?t stop progress.
You can?t stop, you can?t stop, no, no, no
You can?ts stop, you can?t stop progress.
You can?t stop, you can?t stop, no, no, no
I understand there?s no victimless crimes.
That being said I feel rather victimized.
And I will seek substantial compensation.
Whether legally, legal-ish, or otherwise.
But sometimes it?s such a hassle
To sit patiently outside the open gates of a loaded castle.
Felonious behavior. Countless misdemeanors.
Impersonating an officer of the law.
Bonafide man of action! How you like that?
Bonafide man of action! How you like that?
You can?ts stop, you can?t stop progress.
You can?t stop, you can?t stop, no, no, no
You can?ts stop, you can?t stop progress.
You can?t stop, you can?t stop, no, no, no
The lyrics to Clutch's song "You Can't Stop Progress" reflect the inner turmoil of the singer as they attempt to navigate their place in society. The opening lines speak to a sense of civic responsibility and understanding the limits of gun ownership. However, the singer also admits to struggling to conform to societal expectations, lamenting that it can be hard to act like the person they were not born to be.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of progress, noting that it cannot be stopped. The singer seems to embrace this idea of progress as a means of personal growth, even as they grapple with their own illegal behaviors. They describe themselves as a "bonafide man of action," suggesting a willingness to take risks and pursue their goals.
The second verse focuses on the idea of victimization and feeling like there are no victimless crimes. The singer expresses a desire for compensation, whether through legal means or otherwise, but also notes the struggle of waiting outside a metaphorical "loaded castle." The chorus repeats, with the emphasis still on the idea of progress as an unstoppable force.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a speaker who is conflicted about their place in society, but ultimately willing to embrace change and progress in order to pursue their goals. The song has a gritty, rebellious feel and seems to express a sense of frustration with societal constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, I'll be a responsible member
I will act in a responsible manner as a member of society
Of this great and bless'd society
I recognize and appreciate the greatness and blessings of our society
I've come to understand the wrongful nature
I now understand that owning guns is wrong in a monarchy
Of gun ownership in the age of monarchy.
In a monarchy, owning guns is wrong
But sometimes it's just so hard
However, at times it is difficult
To act like the person you weren't born to be.
To behave in a manner contrary to your nature
I understand there's no victimless crimes.
I acknowledge that there are no crimes without victims
That being said I feel rather victimized.
Despite this, I feel like a victim
And I will seek substantial compensation.
I will pursue a significant amount of compensation
Whether legally, legal-ish, or otherwise.
Whether through legal means, slightly questionable practices, or other methods
But sometimes it's such a hassle
However, it can be a hassle at times
To sit patiently outside the open gates of a loaded castle.
To wait calmly outside a heavily-guarded location
Felonious behavior. Countless misdemeanors.
My behavior has been criminal in nature and I have committed numerous misdemeanors
Impersonating an officer of the law.
I have pretended to be a law enforcement officer
Bonafide man of action! How you like that?
I am a true man of action, how does that make you feel?
You can't stop, you can't stop progress.
Progress will continue, it cannot be stopped
You can't stop, you can't stop, no, no, no
You cannot, under any circumstances, halt progress
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAN MAINES, JEAN-PAUL GASTER, NEIL FALLON, RICHARD TIMOTHY SULT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind