Jean Paul made the cover the November 2018 edition of Modern Drummer magazine, and is the subject of the cover story/interview. Link to full article/interview below.

"It took twenty-four years, thousands of road miles, and eleven studio albums—on four different record labels, no less—before the Maryland-based alt-rock band Clutch scored their first number-one album, 2015’s Psychic Warfare. It was the second release on the band’s own label, Weathermaker Music; the first, Earth Rocker, had cracked the top ten on Billboard’s rock charts two years prior, a strong indication they’d made the right move by going it alone. “When we finished our deal with DRT in 2006, we realized we needed to make our own label,” says the band’s staunch yet affable drummer, Jean-Paul Gaster. “And even if we sucked at it, it was going to be better than any label we’d dealt with up to that point.

“Every time we got dropped,” Gaster goes on, “we just focused on the music. We knew that if we continued to record, there would be opportunities to play. And if that meant driving 3,500 miles in a van, then that’s what we did. It’s been a slow build, but I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.”

Clutch is one of only a handful of rock bands to make it through the major-label meat grinder of the ’90s and early 2000s intact. And not only did they survive without suffering significant casualties—vocalist/guitarist Neil Fallon, guitarist Tim Sult, bassist Dan Maines, and Gaster have been the core of the band since forming in 1991—but they’ve also remained eternally hip, cultivating a steadily growing audience of dedicated fans who never miss a chance to experience the band’s unique brand of hard-nosed, groovy, witty, blues–inspired rock. Whether you dig all the way back to Clutch’s 1993 full-length debut, the hardcore-leaning Transnational Speedway League, or drop the needle somewhere on the more progressive- and funkier-sounding sides of 1995’s self-titled release or 1998’s The Elephant Riders, you’ll no doubt land on something with an infectious, fist-pumping riff and body-rocking groove.

The band explored more straightforward, driving beats on 2001’s Pure Rock Fury, and 2004’s Blast Tyrant helped introduce Clutch to a wider audience when the single “The Mob Goes Wild” was included in the popular videogame Rock Band 2 and the deeper cut “The Regulator” appeared in an episode of the post-apocalyptic television series The Walking Dead.

Adding organist Mick Schauer to the group for 2005’s Robot Hive/Exodus, JP and company showcased their blues influences by covering Mississippi Fred McDowell’s “Gravel Road” and Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talking?” Clutch continued to explore the slinkier, groovier side of things on 2007’s From Beale Street to Oblivion before returning to a more stripped-down aesthetic on their ninth album, Strange Cousins from the West.

While most bands tend to chill out later in their careers, Clutch cranked the intensity level to a new high for their tenth album, Earth Rocker, which was released in 2013 after the band toured in support of hard-rock legends Motörhead and Thin Lizzy. The chart-topping Psychic Warfare followed suit with an edgy, ferocious sound that gives the entire record a sense of urgency, from the up-tempo rocker “X-Ray Visions” to the sludgy closer “Son of Virginia.”

When it came time to make their twelfth album, Book of Bad Decisions, Clutch packed up the band truck and headed down to Nashville to spend a few weeks at Sputnik Sound with award-winning Nashville-based producer Vance Powell, whose raw, organic style of recording—as heard on hit albums by Jack White, Chris Stapleton, and others—appealed to Gaster and his bandmates, who were looking to make a more sonically aggressive and live-feeling album this time around."

September 7th, 2018 - Clutch, the influential heavy rock band from Maryland, has released their twelfth studio album “Book of Bad Decisions” today via their own label Weathermaker Music. The new album “Book of Bad Decisions” consists of 15 new tracks that are on all the album formats. Formats include: CD, 2xLP Standard Black Vinyl, Limited edition 28-page Book with CD, Limited edition 2xLP Colored and 2xLP Picture Disc Vinyl. The full album is available now at https://clutch.lnk.to/BookofBadDecisions

The album was recorded, mixed and produced at Sputnik Sound in Nashville, TN by producer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather).

The album cover was designed by renowned photographer Dan Winters.

The pre-release campaign featured 4 digital singles, 4 videos and two limited edition 7” picture disc releases. Now that the full album is available, reviewers around the world are enthusiastic about “Book of Bad Decisions”, the follow up to previous Clutch releases “Psychic Warfare” (2015) and “Earth Rocker” (2013).

“Book of Bad Decisions”, the new Clutch album is done in true Clutch style and tradition. With pensive lyrics backed by abrasive riffs and bad-ass bass, Clutch once again comes through with an album that is hit after hit from top to bottom.” - ROCKwell UnScene -Tattoo.com

“The American dream is a goddamn mess right now, but Clutch are on top of it. They’ve been listening, and on Book of Bad Decisions they’re here to slap you on the shoulder and let you know you’re not alone.” - EMPEROR RHOMBUS - Metal Sucks

“Clutch has given us another strong USA rock album in Book of Bad Decisions. This band is what we need, no candy pop tunes, just increasingly creative and straight-ahead rock tunes without compromising.” - Adorjan Horvat - staccatofy.com

“Book Of Bad Decisions overall is a kick ass rocker with high highs and absolutely no lows!” - Bob Suehs - Rock N Roll Experience

“It’s hard to fault Clutch at this point in their career, their consistent delivery of hard rockin’ tunes is undeniably fun to listen to and with ‘Book of Bad Decisions’, the band continue to excel at what they do best.” - Andrew Massie - The Rock Pit

“Book of Bad Decisions” track listing:

1. Gimme the Keys
2. Spirit of ’76
3. Book of Bad Decisions
4. In Walks Barbarella
5. How to Shake Hands
6. Vision Quest
7. Weird Times
8. Emily Dickinson
9. A Good Fire
10. Ghoul Wrangler
11. Sonic Counselor
12. HB Is in Control
13. Hot Bottom Feeder
14. Paper & Strife
15. Lorelei

“Psychic Warfare” debuted in October 2015 at #1 on the Billboard Hard Rock and Billboard Rock charts.

“Earth Rocker” debuted in March 2013 at #1 on the Billboard Hard Rock chart and was awarded “Album of The Year” by Metal Hammer UK and garnered a Top 10 spot on Rolling Stone’s “Top 20 Metal Albums of the Year”.

Sun/Sep-16  Chicago IL  Riotfest **
Tue/Sep-18  St Paul, MN  Myth Live
Wed/Sep-19  Kansas City, MO  Uptown Theater
Fri/Sep-21  Houston TX  House of Blues
Sat/Sep-22  San Antonio TX  River City Rock Fest **
Sun/Sep-23  Dallas, TX  Gas Monkey Live
Tue/Sep-25  Orlando, FL  House Of Blues
Thu/Sep-27  Norfolk, VA  The NorVa
Fri/Sep-28  Raleigh, NC  The Ritz
Sat/Sep-29  Atlanta, GA  The Masquerade *
Sun/Sep-30  Louisville, KY  Louder Than Life **
Tue/Oct-02  Denver, CO  Ogden Theater
Wed/Oct-03  Salt Lake City, UT  The Depot
Fri/Oct-05  Boise, ID  Knitting Factory
Sat/Oct-06  Spokane, WA  Knitting Factory
Sun/Oct-07  Seattle, WA  Showbox SODO
Mon/Oct-08  Vancouver, BC  Commodore Ballroom SOLD OUT
Tue/Oct-09  Portland, OR  Roseland Theater
Thu/Oct-11  San Francisco, CA  The Regency Ballroom
Fri/Oct-12  Los Angeles, CA  El Rey Theater
Sat/Oct-13  San Bernardino, CA  Glen Helen Amphitheater w/SOAD ***
Sun/Oct-14  San Diego, CA  North Park/Observatory
Mon/Oct-15  Tempe, AZ  The Marquee
Wed/Oct-17  Tulsa, OK  Cain’s Ballroom
Thu/Oct-18  Sauget, IL  Pop’s Nightclub
Fri/Oct-19  Grand Rapids, MI  20 Monroe Live
Sat/Oct-20  Detroit, MI  The Filmore Detroit
Sun/Oct-21  Pittsburgh, PA  Stage AE
Tue/Oct-23  Toronto, ON  Rebel
Thu/Oct-25  Worcester, MA  The Palladium
Fri/Oct-26  New York, NY  Irving Plaza
Sat/Oct-27  New York, NY  Irving Plaza SOLD OUT
Sun/Oct-28  Philadelphia, PA  Electric Factory

*= no Sevendust
** = festival date / Clutch and festival bill only
*** = date w/ System of a Down / no Sevendust / TB&TSD

CLUTCH:
Neil Fallon - Vocals/Guitar
Tim Sult - Guitar
Dan Maines - Bass
Jean-Paul Gaster - Drums/Percussion

Maryland rockers CLUTCH are releasing the fourth single from their upcoming album Book of Bad Decisions as an instant gratification track at iTunes and Amazon.Spotify has it here.

Watch the accompanying video here.

In addition, a very limited 7” Picture Disc in a transparent PVC pocket will hit stores that same day, August 24th. “In Walks Barbarella” is on the red & blue side and “Hot Bottom Feeder” on the reverse, green side. To order a physical copy of the new single directly from CLUTCH go to www.clutchmerch.com. 

CLUTCH’s song “In Walks Barbarella” is two stories, woven into one.  An adult man talks to a boy, maybe his son, about events that occurred 20 years ago. Now add visions of Jane Fonda as Barbarella, ray guns, and tractor beams.  It’s one of Book of Bad Decisions’ signature songs and it includes a horn section that truly turns this song into weaponized funk.

This time around Jean-Paul Gaster is responsible for the Spotify playlist:  “The playlist contains funk songs.  I took some of my favorite songs, stuff that was recorded all the way back from the 50s into the 60s and 70s.  These are some songs that I find a lot of inspiration from, both in the drumming and the way that the songs are put together.”

As the September 7th release date of “Book of Bad Decisions” approaches, this weekend is the final weekend to purchase CLUTCH pre-order bundles directly at www.clutchmerch.com. Bundle sales will close Wednesday, August 29th, and stand-alone items will then be available.

CLUTCH’s “Book of Bad Decisions US/ Canada Tour 2018” starts Sept 16th.

Tickets available here.

Sun/Sep-16  Chicago IL  Riotfest **
Tue/Sep-18  St Paul, MN  Myth Live
Wed/Sep-19  Kansas City, MO  Uptown Theater
Fri/Sep-21  Houston TX  House of Blues
Sat/Sep-22  San Antonio TX  River City Rock Fest **
Sun/Sep-23  Dallas, TX  Gas Monkey Live
Tue/Sep-25  Orlando, FL  House Of Blues
Thu/Sep-27  Norfolk, VA  The NorVa
Fri/Sep-28  Raleigh, NC  The Ritz
Sat/Sep-29  Atlanta, GA  The Masquerade *
Sun/Sep-30  Louisville, KY  Louder Than Life **
Tue/Oct-02  Denver, CO  Ogden Theater
Wed/Oct-03  Salt Lake City, UT  The Depot
Fri/Oct-05  Boise, ID  Knitting Factory
Sat/Oct-06  Spokane, WA  Knitting Factory
Sun/Oct-07  Seattle, WA  Showbox SODO
Mon/Oct-08  Vancouver, BC  Commodore Ballroom SOLD OUT
Tue/Oct-09  Portland, OR  Roseland Theater
Thu/Oct-11  San Francisco, CA  The Regency Ballroom
Fri/Oct-12  Los Angeles, CA  El Rey Theater
Sat/Oct-13  San Bernardino, CA  Glen Helen Amphitheater w/SOAD ***
Sun/Oct-14  San Diego, CA  North Park/Observatory
Mon/Oct-15  Tempe, AZ  The Marquee
Wed/Oct-17  Tulsa, OK  Cain’s Ballroom
Thu/Oct-18  Sauget, IL  Pop’s Nightclub
Fri/Oct-19  Grand Rapids, MI  20 Monroe Live
Sat/Oct-20  Detroit, MI  The Filmore Detroit
Sun/Oct-21  Pittsburgh, PA  Stage AE
Tue/Oct-23  Toronto, ON  Rebel
Thu/Oct-25  Worcester, MA  The Palladium
Fri/Oct-26  New York, NY  Irving Plaza
Sat/Oct-27  New York, NY  Irving Plaza SOLD OUT
Sun/Oct-28  Philadelphia, PA  Electric Factory

*= no Sevendust
** = festival date / Clutch and festival bill only
*** = date w/ System of a Down / no Sevendust / TB&TSD

CLUTCH:
Neil Fallon - Vocals/Guitar
Tim Sult - Guitar
Dan Maines - Bass
Jean-Paul Gaster - Drums/Percussion

Maryland rockers CLUTCH are now offering a variety of exclusive “Book of Bad Decisions” pre-order bundles such as the “Limited Edition Collectors Bundle” which includes rare picture disc vinyl, flask, flag, shirt, long sleeve, HATCHET with autographed box, and more! Bundles will be delivered on or before the album release date of September 7th.

All “Book of Bad Decisions” pre-order bundles, music and merch options are available now exclusively at www.clutchmerch.com.

CLUTCH are releasing the third single from their upcoming album Book of Bad Decisions as an instant gratification track at iTunes and Amazon. Spotify has it here.

Clutch’s song “Hot Bottom Feeder” is, in essence, a recipe for Maryland crab cakes set to Clutch’s inimitable style. Watch The accompanying lyric video here: https://youtu.be/SOTrHrGSeNM.

Each of the single releases from Book of Bad Decisions is accompanied by a Spotify playlist put together by one of the band members.  In this instance Dan Maines who asks you to “Check out our latest release Hot Bottom Feeder and beat the heat with these stone cold classics.”

CLUTCH:
Neil Fallon - Vocals/Guitar
Tim Sult - Guitar
Dan Maines - Bass
Jean-Paul Gaster - Drums/Percussion

Facebook: www.facebook.com/clutchband
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/clutchofficial
Official: www.pro-rock.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/officialclutch