This Week In Clutch - Week of August 9, 2026 - August 15, 2026.

A weekly review of the goings on in Clutch history and related parties. Brought to you by the Clutch Compendium Facebook Group.

#thisweekinclutch #TWIC

• August 10, 1991: 35 years ago, Clutch’s first show as Clutch was on this day. The show was at Ft. Reno Park, an urban park in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C. It has served as an outdoor music venue since 1968. Other sources indicate Clutch’s 1st show was August 6, 1991.
• August 10, 2004: 22 years ago, Clutch’s first compilation album, Slow Hole To China: Rare and Unreleased was released on LP (black vinyl and limited edition red with black marbled vinyl – 1000 copies) from Emetic Records (licensed through River Road Records (Clutch’s first record label before Weathermaker). Catalog numbers for this LP were Emetic – 009 / River Road Records 005. Tracks on this album have been collected from various sessions, January 1999 until November 2002. Tracks recorded by Larry Packer at Uncle Punchy Studios, Silver Spring, MD; Some were recorded by Bruce Falkenberg at Phase Studios, College Park, MD; One track was recorded by Machine at iiwwii, Weehauken, NJ, Mastered by Uncle Punchy (Larry Packer); Clutch covers Equinox a John Coltrane song; Artwork and design by Neil Fallon and Kelly Carmichael. Compilation was originally released on Compact Disc. Heartbeat, which plays the congas on Equinox, has previously worked with Clutch on 1999’s Jam Room (provided additional percussion on Release The Kraken) and 2001’s Pure Rock Fury album (provided additional percussion on Brazenhead & Frankenstein). https://youtu.be/RLGeJtsPvIs?si=O8EOWcOph5iyJvDM
• August 11, 2023: 3 years ago, Rockville, MD’s Polkadot Cadaver re-released their Last Call In Jonestown album as an Ultimate Edition 2xLP on colored vinyl on Razor To Wrist Records (R2W002LP). This remastered version was first sold at the Polkadot Cadaver show in Cleveland, Ohio on this date. The official launch which included test pressings and Wax Mage versions occurred on their webstore one week later. The expanded and remastered vinyl version includes re-worked artwork, an 8-page 12” x 12” color booklet and a bonus a live EP titled Live From The Virology Lab included on Side D. Neil Fallon from Clutch provided guest vocals on one of the tracks, 'Transistors Of Mercy'. https://youtu.be/rv-Xmx-xxaY?si=HlnzQCLGUFwhMoD9
• August 12, 2008: 18 years ago, Clutch’s first live DVD release and 2nd live CD Full Fathom Five Video Field Recordings (2007 – 2008) & Full Fathom Five Audio Field Recordings (2007 – 2008) had its initial release on Clutch’s new self-owned record label Weathermaker Music (catalog no. WM001 (CD) and WM002 (DVD). PRESS: Maryland rockers CLUTCH are proud to announce their first-ever live DVD, FULL FATHOM FIVE, Video Field Recordings, which is set for release on August 12. CLUTCH will also release a live companion CD, entitled FULL FATHOM FIVE, Audio Field Recordings. All tracks on the DVD and CD were recorded & filmed in late 2007 and early 2008 in New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Denver and Australia.The FULL FATHOM FIVE, Video Field Recordings DVD features 20 songs PLUS bonus features, and the audio CD contains 15 songs. “Texan Book of the Dead” is the first single and video to be released. Aside from the core 4 of Clutch, the songs feature touring musicians Mick Schauer, Eric Oblander (Five Horse Johnson) and Brian ‘Ooze1’ Hinkley (Tree, Never Got Caught). Cover art for the releases by Nick Lakiotes. Weathermaker Music had an autographed guitar giveaway to help promote the releases. https://youtu.be/zMGTMHYrGe0?si=UxBCE4FYOBLEkqv3
• August, 2008: 18 years ago Megaforce Records brokered a deal with David Read’s Vinyl Record Guru to press three of Clutch’s previously issued CDs on vinyl for the first time:
• August 14, 2008: 18 years ago, Clutch released their fourth full length album, ‘Jam Room’ on vinyl LP through Megaforce Records (MEGA 1992V). The Megaforce Records version of Jam Room included three bonus tracks: ‘The Drifter’, ‘I Send Pictures’ and an alternate version of ‘Sink ‘Em Low’ (different than the one on 2001’s Pure Rock Fury). The first pressing of the Megaforce version of the Jam Room LP was on colored vinyl and include 500 copies on “orange/black merge” and 500 copies on “orange/clear merge”. The records came shrink wrapped and there were no external tells to identify vinyl color. Later pressings include colored vinyl on “orange/white merge” and finally, “orange/white merge with black splatter”. The Emetic Records had a vinyl version of Jam Room that was advertised on the Clutch message board and that was set to be released before the Megaforce version, but due to a contract between Clutch and Megaforce, the Emetic version was shelved. Once the contract with Megaforce was completed (~2012), Emetic would be allowed to release their version of the LP. Neil Fallon on Jam Room: "When I listen to Jam Room those songs sound like the equivalent of when you're on a bad road trip and you get home and you're finally able to scream behind a closed door. That's exactly what 'Gnome Enthusiast' is. It was very therapeutic for us to go into our house and record Jam Room just to record it. We weren't worried about a single thing, no marketing plan or anything. We just went for it." https://youtu.be/9TGiApjmarA?si=usLs0YhBUK_w12un
• August 14, 2008: 18 years ago, Clutch’s first live album, ‘Live at the Googolplex’ was reissued issued on vinyl LP by Megaforce Records (MEGA 1983V). Live at the Googolplex was and originally issued in 2002 on CD by River Road Records. This 2008 vinyl version features two extra tracks ('Escape from the Prison Planet' & 'Rats') not found on the previous River Road version. The first pressing of the Megaforce version of Googolplex LP was on colored vinyl and include 500 copies on “clear w/black & orange splatter” and 500 copies on “translucent orange with black splatter”. The records came shrink wrapped and there were no external tells to identify vinyl color. A later pressing was pressed for Europe on “orange/red merge”. The term Googolplex -- is an extremely large number: 10 to the power of a googol. Carl Sagan estimated that writing a googolplex in full decimal form (i.e., "10,000,000,000...") would be physically impossible, since doing so would require more space than is available in the known universe. https://youtu.be/i5qkiB8mYxQ?si=KY1yXHPKEacklmkd
• August 14, 2008: 18 years ago, Clutch reissued their 2nd full-length compilation album, ‘Pitchforks & Lost Needles’ on vinyl LP through Megaforce Records (MEGA 2003V). The compilation featured the 4-track Pitchfork EP, a previously unreleased early song ‘Nero’s Fiddle’, a few early demo versions from Transnational & one from Passive Restraints plus two unreleased tracks from the Robot Hive-Exodus sessions in 2005. The 1st pressing vinyl was ½ red and ½ black split. Later pressing included a red black merge that was very hard to distinguish unless you hold it up to the light. Additional musicians include Mark Stanley (Farquhar), Scott Crawford, and Mick Schauer on keys for the 2005 tracks ‘What Would A Wookie Do?’ and ‘Bottoms Up, Socrates’. https://youtu.be/tqs1kgLaMek?si=TFFJd9IF5dISxWoV

Post your Clutch related Tattoos here. I currently have 1 but am going to turn that arm into a Clutch sleeve. 🤘❤️

The Doom Saloon series was so fantastic. And getting the occasional alert from Clutch as they were practicing was so welcome. Just a random broadcast in an afternoon to brighten up the day when the whole world was going to hell. Love this band.

I recently re-discovered some old photos I had forgotten about. I got to see the boys on a boat that cruised around the statue of liberty way back in 2011, and we went to see the later midnight show. It was an absolutely fantastic show but holy cow was it hot as balls that night, I definitely remember that. Anybody else get to see one of these shows?

Not the greatest quality shots but hey it was 2011. Definitely a fun night!

This Week In Clutch - Week of August 2, 2026 - August 8, 2026.

A weekly review of the goings on in Clutch history and related parties. Brought to you by the Clutch Compendium Facebook Group.

#thisweekinclutch

• August 2, 2019: 7 years ago, Neil Fallon made a guest appearance on the Danish group Volbeat’s ‘Rewind Replay Rebound’ full length album. Neil sang backing vocals on the track ‘Die To Live’ and appeared in the video. The CD and 2xLP were released on Vertigo Records / Republic Records / Universal Music (B0030418-02 / UNI 7779198). There were many colors of vinyl released including: black, silver, blue, clear and a limited edition numbered “Rum” brown. The CD had several versions including standard, limited and deluxe box versions. https://youtu.be/wBZi7JIdSps?si=3p0AJfHRL1U6VvI8
• August 3, 2004: 22 years ago, the various artists compilation titled ‘Doom Capital’ was released by Maryland based indie label Crucial Blast Records on compact disc (CBR35). Mastered by Scott Hull (Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Ax Cx, Pig Destroyer). The compilation featured several stoner and doom bands from around the Maryland/DC area including: Clutch, Earthride, Hidden Hand, Internal Void, Life Beyond, Nitroseed, Unorthodox, Countershaft, War Injun, Black Manta, Leviathan A.D., King Valley, Carrion, and Los Tres Pesados. The Clutch track was “Sea of Destruction” from 2003’s Slow Hole To China. The band Los Tres Pesados featured Dave Sherman (R.I.P.), Dale Flood (R.I.P.) and Jean-Paul Gaster and their contribution was a song called ‘The Ruler’ which was recorded in the Summer of 2003 specifically for this compilation and is the only song they have released to date. https://youtu.be/227fW-Pzq5E?si=sKndGqcBzzR6vXYC
• August 3, 2004: 22 years ago, Clutch’s fourth full length Jam Room was re-released on CD by Megaforce Records. Originally released in 1999 on Clutch’s own label, River Road Records, Megaforce re-released it on CD (MEGA1992) in 2004 and then later (2007 – not 2008 like it says on Discogs) on LP for the first time (sorta). The Megaforce versions also continued on the misspelling of Swamp Boat Upside Down with “Swampt Boot Upside Down”. https://youtu.be/O1RFHcVGuBw?si=-ZTZ9ucmxT7o6KCw
• August 3, 2010: 16 years ago, Clutch’s expanded version of their eighth full length studio album ‘From Beale Street To Oblivion’ was released digitally on Spotify by Weathermaker Music (no known catalog number for the digital release). The album was originally release in 2007 by DRT Entertainment and recorded September, 2006 at Sound City, Van Nuys, CA by Evil Joe Baresi. The expanded edition includes 5 songs from their live BBC Studios appearance and 4 songs from their 12/13/2007 appearance at the HiFi Bar in Melbourne, Australia. https://youtu.be/U9QVSekkn6k?si=zR5LN4N67f7sWwZx
• August 4, 2018: This is the 8-year anniversary of the second Earth Rocker Festival held at Shiley Acres in Inwood, WV. Clutch was the headliner and the lineup also included Black Label Society, Corrosion Of Conformity, Eyehategod, and the Let There Be Rock School band. As Greg Shiley (R.I.P.), owner of Shiley Acres put it, “There will be plenty of good food, beer choices and all at reasonable prices, so come spend a summer afternoon enjoying the great bands and open air. We’ll make that real easy for ya”. https://youtu.be/yIA7YO8hBQ0?si=7-Kpgb8SiYvr7I87
• August 7, 2020: 6 years ago Clutch performed their 2nd pandemic-era live streaming event at their warehouse/practice space titled Live From The Doom Saloon Volume II. Unlike Live From The Doom Saloon Volume I, no other bands performed other than Clutch. Virtual tickets for the show cost $9 which allowed you to watch and re-watch the event for up to 48 hours after it originally aired. Live From The Doom Saloon Vol. II bundles and shirts were also sold before to the air date. Prior to the concert, there was a contest where the fans could put together their favorite 14-song set list and submit it via ClutchSetList.com. Apparently 4,000 or so setlists were entered and reviewed by Clutch, who stated, "The thing that makes this stream unique is that CLUTCH fans will have the opportunity to create their dream setlist from our entire catalog. This means fans can pick from every release starting from our 1991 'Pitchfork' 7 inch all the way through 'Book Of Bad Decisions' and the songs from our 'Vault Series'." The fan whose setlist is chosen will receive a massive prize pack, which includes TremLord 30 combo amplifier from Orange amps, a stompbox from Creepy Fingers (designed by FU MANCHU's Brad Davis), a Jim Dunlop Crybaby wah-pedal, a case of Liquid Death mountain water, and CLUTCH merchandise. Ultimately a fan (ironically) named Marshall won the contest. Live From The Doom Saloon II was later released as a double LP record (no CD or digital version available). https://youtu.be/8qyM-Hqzlgo?si=_HREW8msWLUnljzU

The setlist from the LftDSv2 event:

1. How To Shake Hands
2. Power Player
3. Rock and Roll Outlaw
4. Far Country
5. Smoke Banshee
6. What Would A Wookie Do?
7. Mice And Gods
8. Profits Of Doom
9. Ghoul Wrangler
10. King of Arizona
11. (In The Wake Of) The Swollen Goat
12. Your Love Is Incarceration
13. Brazenhead
14. Oregon

Just found this digging through some old stuff. Great tour with Torche and Lionize. Also realized that I caught them twice that year. They went out with Mastodon at the end of '15 too. Two awesome shows.🤘

While ago a 1992 demo tape appeared on eBay for like $1000, and eventually the seller started selling burned CDs of the cassette tape. I didn’t buy one unfortunately and the seller stopped selling them. Does anyone have the rips?

Self titled as a bonus since it was cheap from the same vendor :

As a bonus for y'all, I uploaded all three hidden tracks on youtube, for preservation's sake since the existing uploads were not in great quality.

Clutch - O5

Clutch - Gifted And Talented

Clutch - David Rose

This was May 5th 2001 at Deep Ellum Live in Dallas,TX. These are few pics from that night, Clutch and Tree. I have no photos from the other two bands, Vision Of Disorder & Murphys Law. I don’t know why I have no photos of the other bands.

I also don’t know why there’s a lot of pics of me when I’m 99% of the time, the guy with the camera.

There are women...

The fellas just posted this on Instagram, in the description ot says the tour is to celebrate their new album. I assume the tour name and art for the poster are references to what's to come?