Clutch have not sold out, but nearly, and this is when they only played Sweden a month ago: Klubben is packed when the four piece band from Maryland enter the stage to the sound of a voice rapping “son of a bad man”. After two excellent support-acts from Dover and Graveyard, the expectations are high.
Playing a set of sixteen songs they never try to win their crowds commitment with any cheap tricks. There are no cool looks, posing guitarists or “sing-with-me”-moments involved, in fact they hardly even say a word between their songs. With Clutch it is all about the message of the music, a message which they seem determined to spread. (Have a look at their touring rate and get my point.)
The blues and punk influenced rock band of a touring machine that is Clutch is fronted by singer Neil Fallon who night after night like a preacher proclaims his prophecy with great gestures and steady belief. Together with Tim Sult, Dan Maines and Jean-Paul Gaster he delivers song after song with full force and a hint of arrogance, these guys know they’re good.
They know this that well that in between songs all band members almost look bored and it’s not until almost 15 songs have been delivered that what can be interpreted as a joke and possibly a smile slips Fallon’s lips. Which is ok.
Unfortunately their self belief goes that far that they ten songs in think that they can pull off a three songs long jamming session without getting boring. In my opinion they can’t, however great Gaster on drums may be.
So I leave the venue together with a muttering crowd, feeling a bit disappointed. Great ideas need at least a bit of charm to go down well, don’t they?
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