Before Clutch toured with Corrosion Of Conformity, they waited outside one of their shows with a seven-inch to hand over. Speaking with us, Neil Fallon recalls how it helped them land their first record deal.
Fallon places the encounter in late 1991 or early 1992, when Clutch went to see C.O.C. and gave drummer Reed a copy of their first seven-inch. According to Fallon, that copy eventually reached Earache Records in the US, leading to a deal for the young band.
The bands have toured together many times since and will share the bill again in Australia in January 2027.
Clutch’s fourteenth album, Wasted Lands, arrives through Weathermaker Music on January 22nd, the day before the run starts in Fremantle. Fallon says the Australian tour was already booked when the band nudged the release date to line up with it.
Our Interview With Clutch’s Neil Fallon
Clutch had the live show in mind while making Wasted Lands, putting aside a batch of songs they enjoyed but doubted would work in a nightclub. Fallon explains that rehearsing helps them work out whether an idea will hold up after repeated plays, rather than recording it while it still feels new. For him, playing live remains the priority.
“That’s our bread and butter, that’s what we enjoy doing most.”
New single ‘Beware The Fever’ began with melodies Fallon played on a poorly tuned banjo and a hip-hop beat from drummer Jean-Paul Gaster, bringing the instrument onto a Clutch record for the first time.
Clutch’s ‘Beware The Fever’ video
In the full conversation, Fallon also recalls running into Public Enemy while waiting for a flight with Mastodon, discusses resurrecting the character behind ‘The Drifter Returns’ and explains why nerves still turn up before a show.
“But I hate public speaking. I could sing to a crowd of five thousand people, but if you put me in a podium to talk about something, I’m gonna stumble all over my words.”
Clutch Australian Tour 2027
With Corrosion Of Conformity at the headline shows. Both bands also appear at Froth & Fury.
Saturday, January 23rd – Fremantle, Metropolis
Monday, January 25th – Brisbane, Eatons Hill Hotel
Wednesday, January 27th – Sydney, Enmore Theatre
Friday, January 29th – Melbourne, Forum Theatre
Saturday, January 30th – Adelaide, Froth & Fury Festival, Adelaide Showground
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