Some would argue, the only Rock-N-Roll is the gritty, dirty kind with no frills, just amplifier hums and unchained vocals. Maryland based band Clutch has been offering that to audiences for over two decades now, building a name for themselves as an act one must see to believe. Spending most of their time on the road touring and partaking in the art of live performance, Clutch are at it again. In support of their tenth studio album, Earth Rocker, released in 2013, the band came to The Paramount in Huntington, NY on Thursday September 25th with Lionize and American Sharks. Making up a show that was scheduled for a year earlier at the Long Island venue, which was postponed due to health issues of vocalist Neil Fallon, fans could have not been more excited for the return and a great way to get their weekend started an evening early.
As everyone began to shuffle in, first to the stage was Austin, Texas’ American Sharks. Configured like a traditional Punk Rock band, American Sharks include vocalist/bassist Mike Hardin, guitarist Will Ellis, and drummer Nick Corentti. Having spent the last few years spreading the word of their interesting blend of Rock styles, American Sharks performed a set of heartfelt heavy guitar riff-driven music. Playing tracks off their 2013 debut self-titled album including “Iron Lungs,” vocalist Hardin looked like a man possessed as he belted out each note with energy that provoked attention. Most certainly showing a Punk Rock vibe that included a Metal edge, each song had a groove that the crowd could sink their teeth into as Corentti put on an absolute clinch on drums. For those that missed their set, they will next be on the road with Gwar and Corrosion of Conformity through the end of 2014.
Next was Clutch’s fellow statesmen Lionize. Together now a decade, this band has taken a working class approach to their music and, because of that, have recently been rewarded with warranted attention. Supporting their latest album, Jetpack Soundtrack, the band played Vans Warped Tour this summer, sending a message to thousands of people with their bluesy Rock sound. Walking onto the stage of The Paramount with the audience gazing into the dim lights, a sudden burst erupted with their opening track “Evolve” pumping energy into the room. As each member came across subdued in their approach, their music provided enough of a spectacle that was engaging and exciting to listening. Mastering the art of crafting well-composed Rock tracks with grooves such as “Reality Check,” Lionize proved they certainly have a lot to bring to the table. Featuring some great key-work from Chris Brooks, bass playing by Henry Upton, guitars by Nate Bergman, and drumming from Chase Lapp; this is a band through and through and should not be overlooked. Continuing their tour, Lionize will now be heading to the UK in November with Kyng and Anti-Mortem.
The time had come for veterans Clutch to grace the stage of The Paramount. No stranger to the theater, Clutch made an appearance two years earlier with Hellyeah, and liked it so much they just had to return. Thankfully for fans they did, because a packed house of Rock lovers gathered for the musical experience which could only be understood live in the flesh.
As the long-time assemble of Fallon (vocals), Tim Sult (guitar), Dan Maines (bass), and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums) walked out, everyone cheered, showing enthusiasm as matters began with “Gravel Road.” Wasting little time to check things into high gear, with heavy tingling guitar hum, they went into newer songs like “Crucial Velocity,” “Earth Rocker,” and “D.C. Sound Attack.” While Fallon took complete command of the stage with adrenaline pumping through his veins, the audience responded with hands in the air. Fans roared and banged their heads to favorites like “The Regulator,” Southern accented “The Mob Goes Wild,” while Clutch mixed in a new song called “Sidewinder.” Introduced to audiences live over the past six months of touring, it certainly was a hit once again and raises the question could Clutch already have a new album in the works.
Moving along at a steady pace, the older “Cypress Grove” and “Power Player” followed with another Earth Rocker tune, “Gone Cold.” Solidifying that Earth Rocker is a beast of an album, they wrapped up the set fittingly with album closer “The Wolf Man Kindly Requests….” Speaking of requests, it seemed as if these Long Islanders desired one more song and Clutch delivered with an encore of one of their most popular, “Electric Worry,” and the quick, fun 1999 track “One Eye Dollar.” Once again Clutch proved why they are one of the best bands to see live with just pure Rock. They continue their road warrior ways through 2015 as they are set to tour again in December.
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