The Academy is the perfect size for a band like Clutch. It’s big enough to get a massive wall of sound going, but intimate enough that you’re close enough to see the sweat flying off Jean-Paul Gaster’s cymbals. The Dublin crowd for Clutch is always a loyal, shirt-soaked collective of pure rock fans. There’s no pretense at their gigs, just a room full of people ready to bounce to some of the heaviest grooves in modern rock, even if it was on a Monday.
Dan Maines and Jean-Paul Gaster are arguably one of the tightest rhythm sections in rock history. Last night was a masterclass in total synchronization. Maines’ bass lines carry that distinct, fuzzy warmth that punches you right in the chest, while Gaster plays with the swing and precision of a jazz drummer who just happens to be hitting like a freight train.
Tim Sult stands stage-left, perfectly stoic, completely locked into his instrument, while unleashing some of the dirtiest, blues-drenched stoner-rock riffs known to man.
And then there’s Neil Fallon (The Preacher). Watching Neil live is like watching a localized lightning storm. He stalks the stage, pointing furiously into the crowd, delivering those hyper-literate, surrealist lyrics about everything from UFOs and mythology to old-school rock ‘n’ roll lore like a man possessed.
When Clutch plays, they pull from a massive, three-decade-deep catalog. You usually get a perfect sonic blend of Fuzzy Hardcore Fury (shouting out their early 90s D.C. punk scene roots), Swampy Athletic Blues Rock Grooves and Hyper Literate Sci-fi jams.
As soon as the band walked on stage and the lights came up, that was it.
Fallon immediately exploded and didn’t let up until the ringing of the last song faded.
What I noticed was that although the songs were nice and heavy, like a good rock song should be, they also had an undercurrent of pure funk that you couldn’t help but get pulled into.
The crowd also ranged from the hardcore loyal fans to a much younger group as well, which shows both that a good rock song is as timeless as anything, and also that Clutch are still as relevant today as they have ever been.
Clutch photos & set-list:
Set-list:
The Mob Goes Wild
Earth Rocker
The Face
D.C. Sound Attack!
Red Alert (Boss Metal Zone)
Nosferatu Madre
There Golden Horns
Abraham Lincoln
Slaughter Beach
Spleen Merchant
The Regulator
Drifter Returns
A Quick Death in Texas
Spacegrass
X-Ray Visions
_______________________
Electric Worry
The Wolf Man Kindly Requests…
Photos & Words – David McEneaney @experimentzero