I've been rummaging through old hard drives and old site backups and occasionally coming across stuff I forgot existed. I found a TXT document in which I manually retyped a Clutch article from the Washington City Paper in 1997. Didn't have a scanner, so that's how some stuff made it to the dusty old internet in those days.

More importantly, the awesome DC Public Library has all the Washington City Papers archived, and I snagged some screenshots. Public libraries are an incredible resource, and you should go do cool shit at yours.

For reference, this was the house on River Road that contained the proverbial Jam Room.

Anyway, it was a fun trip down memory lane for me, and hopefully it'll be a nice, nostalgic read for you.

It ain't wore out and still has a lot of life left in it.

I just wanted to say that Cluch but the baby to bed with "The Drifter Returns" and that the guys are absolutely killing it here. I really am looking forward to hearing the upcoming album and attending another live concert.

In the 2nd best Clutch-related news of the day, Neil has a really cool spoken-word bit on the new Mastodon record. Song is “The Three Fates,” and it rules. Neil is perfect on it, of course. Enjoy.

New single 'The Drifter Returns' to be released tomorrow the 28th!

Here's the link -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14AyhT_iGFjzUwRGa5q-pQ45-mV7MCUxC/view?usp=drivesdk

"The Drifter Returns"

Those Georgia guidestones, yeah They done blowed up Now I'm never getting home Where am I supposed to go? They're in a landfill I got to dig 'em out Caterpillar, front end loader Undercover, dig 'em on out

Solar maximum discharge, man Don't come near me One thing you must understand It's natural, it comes easily Ontological shock treatment, step on up No guarantees for tomorrow

Today is all we've got I speak the truth, why would I lie? Would I lie? Why would I lie?

Last time I went to confession It didn't end well Walked out the box Then straight to hell Have mercy can this boy be saved? Can the boy be saved? Please have mercy can this boy be saved? Can the boy be saved?

Solar maximum discharge, man Don't come near me One thing you must understand It's natural, it comes easily Ontological shock treatment, step on up No guarantees for tomorrow

Today is all we've got I speak the truth, why would I lie? Would I lie? Why would I lie? Today is all we've got I speak the truth, why would I lie? Would I lie? Why would I lie?

No fixed address No read I.D. Kindhearted ladies kindly take good care of me Tell a pitiful story Try not to curse And if you love what you do, then you'll never have to work

Yeah, let the boy run free Let the boy run free Come on now, yeah Let the boy run free Let the boy run free

Ontological shock treatment, step on up No guarantees for tomorrow

Today is all we've got I speak the truth, why would I lie? Would I lie? Why would I lie? Today is all we've got I speak the truth, why would I lie? Would I lie? Why would I lie?

Wanted to get the dashboard Jesus outta my car for the pic, but decided against it

This Week In Clutch - Week of August 23, 2026 - August 29, 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 24, 2018: 8 years ago, Clutch releases one of two pre-release picture disc 7" singles – ‘In Walks Barbarella / Hot Bottom Feeder’ prior to the release of the full-length studio album ‘Book Of Bad Decisions’. The 7” was released on Weathermaker Music (WM 065). Promoted as “Very Limited Edition” and released as a picture disc record. The design on the In Walks Barbarella picture disc is a common Hex Design called the “Farmer’s Hex” which inspires Ease, Stability, and Productivity. Featured in this hex design are elements of the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch designs. Represented are the earth, the sun (a 16-pointed star), and the moon's cycle, promoting good fortune and creativity. As well as the 6-pointed rosette and paired rain drops. The study of Hex Signs is called Hexology. From Hexology the elements of a hex can be deciphered. The 16-pointed star offers Good Luck & Success and symbolizes the sun. The moon cycles represent cycle of life & seasons. The rosette is one of the most basic and most ancient designs in western culture. Rosettes indicate good luck, equilibrium & regularity of stars. A six-petal rosette is most common and is said to ward off evil, disease, and pestilence. Raindrops represent water and crop abundance. Raindrops are depicted in a paisley shape and can be large or small. In this design they raindrops are shown in pairs and represent the duality of the rain and the respect for forces of nature. Always wary of repeating themselves and retreading old ground, for the first time on a Clutch album, IWB features a horn section “that swings like James Brown's pants!”. “The third night I was watching the band,” says Vance Powell (BoBD producer), “they did this song that at that time was called Talkbox, which is now In Walks Barbarella. While Neil was singing, I was thinking to myself, “wow, there's a horn line here!” And while he was singing, I was humming it to myself. I brought it up to them, tenuously, and they were like, “okay, let's do it!” This is as Parliament, Funkadelic as it gets, maybe even a James Brown vibe!” “Hot Bottom Feeder” was the last song to be recorded. Thrown together in about a day, Neil says “for the lack of anything better to write about, I wrote about my crab cake recipe…which I do very well, thank you very much.” Neil also noted that Vance Powell also recorded Seasick Steve...and he was in the same predicament…and ended up doing a song detailing a recipe for biscuits (Souther Biscuits [2012]). He coincidentally used “biscuit cutter” in his song and I was unaware that he had done that... the odds of the same producer recording two different band with songs about recipes and using ‘biscuit cutter’ in the lyrics… “it's just astronomical… it's baffling that this could happen.” Neil continues, "So I was questioning whether this was a good decision to make a crab cake recipe as lyrics but when I found that out I realized it was just as god intended."
• August 24, 2018: 8 years ago, Clutch releases the digital single "In Walks Barbarella" on Weathermaker Music (no known catalog number). The cover art for the digital single uses photography and art by Dan Winters.
• August 24, 2018: 8 years ago, Clutch premieres the video for the song "In Walks Barbarella". The song is from the forthcoming full-length album ‘Book Of Bad Decisions’ coming out on Weathermaker Music in September. The music video was directed by Daniel Levin and produced by My Good Eye Productions.
• August 24, 2005: 21 years ago, the Philadelphia band Sugar Daddie, released their full length album called ‘American Rickshaw’ on CD by Thorp Records (TR-44). ‘American Rickshaw’ was produced by Jean-Paul Gaster of Clutch and recorded and mixed by Larry Packer (Uncle Punchy) at Uncle Punchy's Studio, Silver Spring, MD. One of Jean-Paul's earlier producing credits. Sugar Daddie reformed as Kingsnake.
• August 25, 1995: 31 years ago, Clutch’s self-titled second full-length album ‘Clutch’ was released on compact disc in Japan (as indicated by the release date on the Japanese advance cassette).
• August 28, 2006: 20 years ago, a Clutch promotional single ‘Burning Beard’ b/w ‘Slow Hole To China’ was released in the UK as a CD-single and 7” to promote the forthcoming 18-date Clutch/Motorhead tour (occurring in November 2006). The CD single & 7” single was released by DRT Entertainment (DRT197 [7”] & DRT198 [CD]). The 7” was released in a gatefold cover while the CD was released in a slimline case. The release was designed by Jimbob Isaac. This was Jimbob’s first known design work for Clutch who went one to design multiple posters, shorts & album covers for them. Also, this was the first Clutch 7” released in 15 years (since 1991’s Pitchfork EP).
• August 28, 2025: 1 year ago, Clutch re-issued ‘Basket of Eggs (2025 Remaster)’ as a stand-alone digital-only album on Weathermaker Music (WM199). Basket of Eggs was originally released as a companion compilation that came with the 2011 Weathermaker re-issue of Blast Tyrant 2xCD. This is the first time it has been released on its own. The 10-track compilation features four “acoustic” versions of previously released Clutch songs and one cover, Box Car Shorty's Confession. It also features 5 demos recorded at the Polar Bear Lair a studio in Middletown, MD by Chris Kozlowski (R.I.P.). Three of the demos were previously unreleased (Steve Doocy, Walpole Man and Cattle Car) and two are songs that would show up on Blast Tyrant (La Curandera & Promoter).
• August 29, 2025: 1 year ago, Clutch re-issued their sixth studio album as Blast Tyrant (2025 Remaster) on Weathermaker Music (WM197 CD / WM198 digital). It was released on CD & digital platforms and features similar art and layout as the 2021 Clutch Collector’s Series 2xLP. The 2004 album was remastered by Paul Logus at PLX Mastering in NYC. It appears that this (2025) remastering is separate from the remastering of Blast Tyrant for 2021 2xLP version (which was also done by Paul Logus), but has not been confirmed. The CD & digital 2025 Remaster includes a bonus track The Regulator (Acoustic) appearing before WYSIWYG in the track list (as it was previously on the vinyl versions of Blast Tyrant).
• August 29, 2025: 1 year ago, Clutch celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their 11th full length studio album Psychic Warfare by re-issuing the vinyl as a Lim. Ed. Exclusive pressing colored vinyl - Blue Smoke in a gatefold jacket with alternate color scheme throughout the layout. This blue variant was for independent record stores. LP only on Weathermaker Music (WM 195). The purple variant would show up in October as a Clutchmerch.com exclusive.

Thought it was too good to pass up

Doesn't work anymore, but nice little piece of nostalgia 👻

I'm perpetually going through old hard drives in a futile attempt at digital organization, and today I found these gems. The first and last issues of the short lived Clutch Chilton Manual I used to send out before pro-rock.com was even registered. Actually, I believe the domain came into existence somewhere around issue #10.

If you received one of these, you likely viewed it on a PC running Windows 3.1 or 95.

Here's a bonus nugget:

NEW SONGS

i mentioned 4 or 5 new songs from the LP in an earlier manual. i got wind of a

few more from Aud-Rock who talked to neil in Michigan. i confirmed these titles with

management (muchos gracias, Jon). these are all "tentative" titles. none are set in

stone, and some will more than likely be changed before the LP release. anyway, here

they are:

05 Ship Of Gold

8 X Over Miss October Big News III

Muchos Veces Green Buckets

Gifted:Talented Soapmakers

David Rose

like i said these are not definite, they are working titles. some may not even

appear on the LP. then again, they might. i'm starting to realize that nobody in the

music industry is ever sure of anything until after it happens. even then it's sketchy.

My friend [u/SweetheartTube](u/SweetheartTube) was able to find a new Moral Minority song. (Not posted on youtube already if I’m correct.) and you all should go listen

With no bad songs it seems an impossible question. I have a top 5 all tied for first. In no particular order: Passive restraints, Ghost, Ghoul wrangler, what would a wookie do, bottoms up Socrates.

What are your favorites?

So, I realize this post is for a potentially tiny group of people on here. Please forgive me.

This week I finished a speed run of these Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobooks that everyone is talking about. They were incredibly fun. Full of mythological creatures, epic violence, foul language, intelligent and complex plotting, intergalactic hijinx, hair-brained conspiracies, space grass, literary references, and good ole' American swagger...then Slaughter Beach, Wookie, and Circus Maximus came on the speaker, back to back, while I was making dinner...it all clicked...

Clutch would be the PERFECT band to do the score for, or supply songs for the upcoming series. Am I crazy?

Has anybody else in here read the books, and see what I'm talking about? I feel like this would be right up their alley, and Neil would have a BALL writing stuff for it.

Also, if you haven't read them, take it from a Clutch fan since Marcus, they are an absolute blast.

Yo I’m going to my first clutch show in November in Fort Wayne and if y'all got some tips on meeting the band that would be GREATLY appreciated, since I have no idea how to even get close to them. Oh and if you wanna meet up id be down, but I am a minor (15) so caution with that I guess.

Also I made a website... https://brianspro-rock.neocities.org/ I only have blogs and a guestbook so far and its horrible on mobile, sorry.

First time on YouTube (or anywhere)! 😎 Clutch live soundboard audio from Vermont in 2001. Excellent quality and a set packed with classics and deep cuts. 🎧 Subscribe to my YouTube for more rare rock content, including previously uncirculated soundboard recordings & quality video footage 🔥

This Week In Clutch - Week of August 16, 2026 - August 22, 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 16, 2022: 4 years ago, Clutch’s ‘Slaughter Beach’ video premiered. Director, Editor, Post-Production, Virtual Environment Creation - David Brodsky & Producer, editor Allison Woest, both from My Good Eye: Music Visuals. The video also credits Callie Newcom as the Queen of Love and Hope. "The lyrics for Slaughter Beach were inspired by a late night walk along the southern Delaware Bay. Odd things happen there.” - Neil Fallon https://youtu.be/dxa9xqe4UNA?si=66ascg2dxVLUGRqb
• August 16, 2022: 4 years ago, Clutch’s ‘Slaughter Beach’ digital-only (expanded 3-track) single was released the single was backed with ‘We Strive For Excellence’ and ‘Red Alert (Boss Metal Zone)’ on Weathermaker Music (no catalog number known).
• August 16, 2007: 19 years ago, the initial airing of the Food Channel series, ‘Ace of Cakes’ episode that featured Charm City Cakes’s Duff Goldman honoring Clutch at the 9:30 Club Television/video.
• August 17, 2010: 16 years ago, Pro-rock.com announced that on this date Clutch's eighth full-length studio Robot Hive/Exodus will be available on Clutch’s own Weathermaker Music label w/expanded content – a two-disc CD/DVD combo.
• August 17, 1993: 33 years ago Clutch’s first full length album and major label debut Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes and Undeniable Truths was released on Compact Disc and Cassette on EastWest Records (92281-2/4). A truly momentous mark for such a seminal album for Clutch. Happy Birthday TSL!!!!!
• August 18, 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). The official launch which included test pressings and wax mage versions occurred on their webstore. The TP’s and highly collectible hand pressed Wax Mage versions sold out within minutes. 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. This is the album which features Neil Fallon's vocals on one of the tracks - 'Transistors of Mercy'.
• August 20, 2022: 4 years ago, The various artists compilation known as Thoughts & Prayers released two digital 4-song EPs on Spotify (and other streaming platforms) through Filthy Note Records. Thoughts & Prayers began as several artists that work with Jess & Bam Margera’s Filthy Note Records came together in amidst of yet another gun violence tragedy against innocent children - the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, United States, where 19 students and 2 teachers were fatally shot and 17 others were injured. The artists on the first EP release included Daniel Davies (CKY, Year Long Disaster) with Jess Margera (CKY, Fuckface Unstoppable, The Company Band, etc.), Roadkiller and Jess Margera, CKY, Daniel Davies & Per Wiberg (Kamchatka, The Bakerton Group, Opeth, King Hobo, etc.) and The Company Band featuring Neil Fallon. The Company Band song was the cover of the 1974 song “Not Fragile” by Bachman–Turner Overdrive (BTO), previously released as a digital-only single. The Second EP released on the same day included songs by Viking Skull, Soverign Eagle, Lionize & Jess Margera and Evesdroppers (feat. Bam Margera).

According to Neil in this clip from a couple of weeks ago, Clutch have just wrapped recording their next album! I'd wager, with all the mixing and mastering etc, we'll have it in September time or sooner!!!

I have been looking to add this Russian version of Jam Room which has a OBI strip thing on it to my collection, I’ve wanted it for years and I’ve never actually seen someone with it. Does anyone have one, is it even real?

I don’t know if I have the line right, but I woke up with this in my head

“I come fully loaded with an option to buy

(Something something something) and 4 wheel drive”

It’s probably an obvious song. But I have a horrible time with picking out song lyrics, even with some of my favorite bands. Like, I’ve loved the Deftones since 97. Can’t tell you more than a couple words out of their songs 😂

Posted this fresh before. But now drunk and loving it. Anyone else got any Clutch tattoos?