Maryland Heavy Rock leaders Clutch has released the second album in their series of live show recordings, shared under the collective moniker PA Tapes. Live at King’s Head Inn, Norfolk, VA, 4/25/93 marks the 30th anniversary to the day of one of Clutch’s earliest shows, recorded at the King’s Head Inn in Norfolk, Virginia, on April 25th, 1993. A deep cut sure to delight diehard Clutch fans, the King’s Head Inn held barely 100 rock fans and also saw the likes of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Stevie Ray Vaughan grace the stage in its heyday. Legendary for changing the set list every night, with each band member taking turns in the hot seat, Norfolk’s songs that evening were selected by inimitable, story-telling frontman Neil Fallon. Stream the album here:
Fallon says, “This is a recording of our set at the legendary King’s Head Inn in Norfolk, VA on April 25th, 1993. We had just finished recording Transnational Speedway League and it was due to come out in September of that year. The night prior to this set, we had played in New York City at The Academy with Biohazard, Onyx, and Dog Eat Dog. We can’t recall who else was on the bill this particular night at the King’s Head Inn, though. We cleaned up this board tape as best we could. We also didn’t edit out the moments in-between songs because, despite the abundance of noise and the low fidelity, we think it best captures the essence of what a Clutch show was like 30 years ago.”
A decade on from boldly declaring, “If you’re gonna do it, do it live on stage, or don’t do it at all’ in their acclaimed single “Earth Rocker”, Clutch’s PA Tapes comprise meticulously mixed and mastered live shows from around the world. Renowned for their captivating live performances, the handpicked shows reflect some of the best live atmosphere, giving fans globally a chance to experience the energy and excitement of a Clutch concert from the comfort of their own homes, whenever they like. The series launched in February 2023 with the band’s August 23rd, 2022 show at Vega in Copenhagen, the set chosen by groove guru, drummer Jean-Paul Gaster.
PA Tapes (Live at King’s Head Inn, Norfolk, VA, 4/25/93) is available now on all digital platforms, including Spotify.
PA Tapes (Live at King’s Head Inn, Norfolk, VA, 4/25/93)
The track list comprises:
Passive Restraints
Impetus
Earthworm
12 oz. Epilogue
Heirloom 13
A Shogun Named Marcus
Arcadia
Bacchanal
Far Country
Juggernaut
To see all current live dates, including festival slots, click here.
Clutch’s thirteenth studio album, Sunrise On Slaughter Beach, was released in September 2022 and is a slamming summary of everything that makes the band great. The band have released three official singles – “Red Alert (Boss Metal Zone)”, “We Strive For Excellence” and “Slaughter Beach”. Sunrise On Slaughter Beach is the natural culmination of what Clutch began as teenagers in the early ‘90s.
Recorded at The Magpie Cage Recording Studio, Baltimore, MD, the album was produced and mixed by Grammy nominated Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Royal Blood, Pixies) with additional engineering by J Robbins (Jawbreaker, Against Me!, The Sword). Sunrise On Slaughter Beach introduces some “firsts” into the Clutch canon: vibraphone (from Gaster), theremin (J. Robbins), and female backup vocals from singers Deborah Bond and Frenchie Davis. The album’s nine songs are a diverse ride, destined to please long-time fans and intrigue newcomers alike. It’s a new chapter in an ever-unfolding story which means as much to the fans as it does to the band.
ABOUT Clutch
Clutch shares more in common with The Grateful Dead, Rush, and the Allman Brothers than their heavy riffs and heady twists-of-phrase might suggest. Because like those bands, the supporters who adore Clutch are there for the experience, community, and authentic connection. To love Clutch is to feel a sense of ownership, membership, and belonging.
Seneca Valley High School classmates Neil Fallon (vocals), Tim Sult (guitar), Dan Maines (bass), and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums) share an unshakeable musical and personal bond now three decades strong. Shaped by the same region which birthed Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and Rites Of Spring, Clutch crafts hyper-literate and libertine jams informed by hardcore fury and fuzzy, athletic, stoner rock.
“There’s no question that Clutch etched themselves a name in the pantheon of great rock bands,” Lambgoat wrote in 2004. Classic Rock counted 2013’s Earth Rocker and 2015’s Psychic Warfare among the 50 Best Rock Albums of the 2010s. Rolling Stone described 2018’s Book of Bad Decisions as “bathed in the grit and liberal fuzz tone that have made their live shows legendary.” The global accolades across their acclaimed catalogue are numerous.
Live shows over the years include tours with Slayer and System Of A Down and more recent co-headlining treks with Dropkick Murphys, Killswitch Engage, and Mastodon. Like Slayer or Iron Maiden, Clutch outlasted rock bands anchored to “hit songs” and the pressure of replicating them. The foursome from Germantown, Maryland, isn’t bound by trends. Across thirteen studio albums and assorted releases since 1991, they’ve earned a reputation as one of the best around.
Clutch is:
Neil Fallon – Vocals
Tim Sult – Guitar
Dan Maines – Bass
Jean-Paul Gaster – Drums