Clutch (band)

Clutch
Clutch performing at First Avenue in Minneapolis, 2007
Background information
Origin	Germantown, Maryland, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock funk metal alternative metal stoner rock psychedelic rock blues rock hardcore punk
Years active	Since 1991
Labels	Atlantic, Columbia, DRT, Earache, Eastwest, Inner Journey, Megaforce, River Road, Weathermaker
Associated acts	The Bakerton Group, Five Horse Johnson, The Company Band
Website	www.pro-rock.com
Members	Neil Fallon Tim Sult Dan Maines Jean-Paul Gaster
Past members	Mick Schauer

Clutch is an American rock band from Frederick, Maryland, originating in Germantown, Maryland. They met while in high school in Germantown and consider themselves a Frederick-based band where they write/rehearse for every album/tour. The band formed in 1991. Since its formation the band line-up has included Neil Fallon (vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards), Tim Sult (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dan Maines (bass, backing vocals) and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums and percussion). To date, Clutch has released eleven studio albums, and several rarities and live albums. As of 2008 the band have been signed to their own record label, Weathermaker.

Clutch (originally called "Glut Trip" and stemmed from "Moral Minority") was formed in 1991 by Dan Maines (bass), Jean-Paul Gaster (drums), Tim Sult (guitar), and Roger Smalls (vocals) in Germantown, MD. Smalls soon departed and was replaced by Neil Fallon, a longtime schoolmate of the other members at Seneca Valley High School. The band quickly gained notice through constant touring. The 12" single "Passive Restraints" on the Earache label was the band's first commercial release, garnering attention from other labels. Their debut LP, Transnational Speedway League, was released in 1993. It was followed by a self-titled album two years later that gained Clutch mainstream exposure. The band moved to the larger Columbia label for the 1998 album The Elephant Riders. They followed it in 1999 with a self-released groove-based album Jam Room.

The album Pure Rock Fury was released by Atlantic in 2001. The title track was initially released as the first single. The program director for North Carolina rock station WXQR (Rock 105), Brian Rickman, suggested that the label switch singles to another track from the album, "Careful with that Mic." Atlantic did so, and Clutch achieved a surprise hit single. The follow-up tracks, "Immortal" and "Open Up the Border," were also well received by American rock stations. In 2003 they issued Live at the Googolplex and the rarities record Slow Hole to China.