CLUTCH "BOOK OF BAD DECISIONS" Tops US, Canadian and European Hard Rock and Metal Charts

CLUTCH "BOOK OF BAD DECISIONS"

FIRST WEEK CHART POSITIONS

REVEALED

I caught Clutch's tour kick off in Chicago at Riot Fest, and the guys were at the peak of their game, rocking hard despite the sun and heat. Their 45 minute set left fans wanting more.

Despite a tough time slot opposite Suicidal Tendencies, Clutch had a huge draw and the stage was packed.

Here at ChiILLiveShows.com, we've been CLUTCH fans since the early 90's. It's great to see the band gaining some long overdue acclaim. They've been uncompromising about their unique sound, even when it wasn't a commercial success, and steadfastly stuck to what they loved to play. This scrappy foursome was ahead of their time, and now rock, funk and metal fans have finally caught up to them and realized what they were missing. 

Maryland rockers CLUTCH released their new album "Book of Bad Decisions" via their own Weathermaker Music label on September 7th. "Book of Bad Decisions" is another stellar victory for CLUTCH, Weathermaker Music and Rock Music worldwide on the charts!  The first week chart positions are below. All formats are available at https://clutch.lnk.to/BookofBadDecisions.

US #16 Billboard 
Top 200 Consumption Chart
#1 Billboard Hard Rock
#2 Billboard Rock 
#2 Billboard Independent Label
#3 Billboard Independent Retail
#6 Billboard Top Albums (ex Streaming)

CANADA #42 Billboard
Top 200 Album Charts
#1 Hard Music
#5 Top Current Albums
#6 Top Albums 

UK #13
Top 200 Official Album Charts
#1 - Top 40 Rock and Metal Albums Chart
#2 - Independent Album Chart 
#8 - Vinyl Album Chart

GERMANY #15
Top 100 Media Control Album Charts

AUSTRALIA #12
ARIA Digital Album Charts

SWEDEN #26
Top 60 Sverigetopplistan Album Charts
#1 Hardrock/Metal Chart 
#4 on the pure physical chart
#4 on the vinyl chart

FRANCE #75
Top 150 SNEP Album Charts


CLUTCH is currently on tour in the US and Canada and will be touring Europe in November in support of “Book of Bad Decisions”.




CLUTCH’s “Book of Bad Decisions US/ Canada Tour 2018”
Tickets available at www.pro-rock.com

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
                                                  
For more  information, check out the band’s website:
www.pro-rock.com

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

CLUTCH "BOOK OF BAD DECISIONS" PRE-ORDER AND MERCH BUNDLES AVAILABLE NOW!

NEW ALBUM PRE-ORDER AND MERCH BUNDLES AVAILABLE NOW!

CLUTCH TO RELEASE THIRD SINGLE TRACK

FROM THE NEW ALBUM "BOOK OF BAD DECISIONS" TODAY

CLUTCH has been one of our favorites here at ChiIL Live Shows for decades. They're still cranking out jammin' new tunes and their live shows are incredible, with a different set list nightly. Band members take turns creating the set list. And their fans are also some of the nicest, most genuinely fun people out there. We're loving the new stuff they've released so far, off their upcoming album, and we're beyond excited to hear it in it's entirety.

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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/book-of-bad-decisions/1376829212&app=itunes) and Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CNYD1R7).  Spotify has it here (http://open.spotify.com/album/7fJuTpSrV3TYbSExbo3emk)

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.

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 it's Dan Maines who asks you to “Check out our latest release Hot Bottom Feeder and beat the heat with these stone cold classics.” We checked it out and Dan's Spotify playlist is pretty sweet!

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

For more  information, check out the band’s website:
www.pro-rock.com

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

New CLUTCH Album "BOOK OF BAD DECISIONS" Coming September 7th

CLUTCH TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

"BOOK OF BAD DECISIONS" 

SEPTEMBER 7th

I've loved CLUTCH's unique sound and killer lyrics since the early 90's, before the internet and ChiIL Live Shows existed. In the intervening decades I've shot them from the photo pits at numerous live shows, and amassed a collection of their music and merch. I'm elated that they're all still alive, still together with original members, and still releasing new studio albums. Their 12th is coming this fall and I can't wait to check it out! 

Maryland rockers CLUTCH have announced Book of Bad Decisions as the title of their new studio album. 

Book of Bad Decisions, CLUTCH’s 12th studio album is scheduled for a worldwide release on September 7th, 2018 via their own Weathermaker Music label.  

The album was recorded at Sputnik Sound in Nashville, TN by producer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather) and consists of 15 new tracks. 

“With Vance Powell as producer we were able to make a very different kind of an album.  The songs feel as if they could jump out of the speakers!” says drummer Jean-Paul Gaster.  Bassist Dan Maines seconds that when he says “Recording in Nashville with Vance Powell gave us a new and fresh approach towards making an album that truly captures the live energy of Clutch in a way I don’t think we’ve done before.”  Guitarist Tim Sult adds “Laying down guitar tracks with Vance was fun and inspiring.  Going through and trying out his and his engineer, Mike Fahey’s collection of vintage amps was one of my favorite recording studio experiences.  I think the outro solo of “Emily Dickinson” turned out particularly great.”  

The album cover was designed by renowned photographer Dan Winters.

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

The first single from Book of Bad Decisions, “Gimme the Keys” is out now. The accompanying lyric video below was created by David Brodsky:



The song is about the band's first tour back in 1991, a time where they began to cut their teeth in the live music business, dealt with show cancellations and incidents on the road. One particular show in a shed surrounded by cornfields in Lawrence, Kansas ultimately turned ugly over a missing microphone and accusations brought by drunk and gun-toting security people at the end of a long day. "Gimme the keys they can keep the guarantee | Gimme the keys and get the hell out of dodge" is a reflection of the mood of that night. 

Neil's Commentary on "Gimme the Keys":



All album formats (CD, 24-page book with CD, 2xLP Standard Black, Limited Colored 2xLP, and 2xLP Picture Disc) will have the same 15 tracks. In addition Weathermaker Music will release two very limited 7” Picture Discs.



Pre-order the new album Book of Bad Decisions at www.pro-rock.com.

This single is the first of four to be released over the next couple of months as an instant gratification track when pre-ordering the album at:

iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/book-of-bad-decisions/1376829212&app=itunes)  
Amazon(http://amazon.com/dp/B07CNYD1R7).

“I’ve never been one for nostalgia,” says Neil Fallon, “I’ve always shied away from it.  But after 27 years of this, I realize that there is a wealth of stories to look back upon as lyrical fodder.  As the saying goes, ‘You don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.’  Not all the songs reference our collective experience as a band, but ‘Book of Bad Decisions’ seemed like an apt name for these various chapters, whether factual, fictitious, or somewhere in-between.”

These are the songs the band had on cassette on their first tour. Nothing later than Summer '92.
Check it out here:



CLUTCH:
Neil Fallon - Vocals/Guitar
Tim Sult - Guitar
Dan Maines - Bass
Jean-Paul Gaster - Drums/Percussion
                                                  
For more  information, check out the band’s website:
www.pro-rock.com

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

PHOTO RECAP: THE OBSESSED Opening for CLUTCH New Years Eve 2017-2018 at Express Live! In Columbus, OH

Opening Artists: Devin Townsend Project, 

The Obsessed, Mike Wescott Band

Clutch - Psychic Warfare World Tour 2017

EXPRESS LIVE! - 405 Neil Ave Columbus, OH 43215

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we've caught The Obsessed in Chicago on past tours and they were our favorites of CLUTCH's NYE 17/18 openers. We're Chicago based, but we were more than happy to road trip from Chi, IL to Columbus to catch CLUTCH. We've seen and photographed CLUTCH live numerous times over two decades and this was our 2nd time to catch them for a NYE show. I've even done a video interview with lead singer, Neil Fallon, that's still one of my favorite metal band interviews of all times. Fun fun. Here's our full set of photos of their openers, The Obsessed in the slide show here, with a few favorite shots embedded below. All photos by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiILLiveShows.com.

Thanks to CLUTCH for providing us with press comps and photo credentials. It's always a joy to shoot them and their openers in action.

The Obsessed
Full Set in the Slideshow Here 
& More Favorites Embedded Below

Disclosure: Once again, thanks to CLUTCH for providing us with press comps and photo credentials. It's always a joy to shoot them and their openers in action.

More Photo Favorites:

PHOTO RECAP: CLUTCH New Years Eve 2017-2018 at Express Live! In Columbus, OH

Clutch - Psychic Warfare World Tour 2017

EXPRESS LIVE! - 405 Neil Ave Columbus, OH 43215

Sunday, December 31, 2017

   

Thanks to CLUTCH for providing us with press comps and photo credentials once again. It's always a joy to shoot this fierce foursome and their openers in action. Check out our photo features on NYE Opening Artists: Devin Townsend Project and The Obsessed.

The New Years Eve show (appropriately enough on NEIL AVENUE) was incredible, with a stellar mix of old favorites and even a few brand new tunes off their upcoming release, slated for later this year. 

NYE Setlist:

We love that the band members take turns making the set list and it's always different from town to down, like the Grateful Dead of the metal scene. After over a quarter century touring together (still with the original lineup), they've got more than plenty of material to choose from, and tend to play a vast variety of obscure tracks mixed with old and new hits and fan favorites.

Two hours to showtime, we began the evening in earnest, with a pre-show meet up with a bunch of Gearheads from the private Clutch fans FB Page. Here's a shot from earlyish. Lots more members of the "Clutch family" showed up closer to show time. It was great to put some faces to the friends we've been on line with in the Clutch group since 2014, and to meet some new fans too.  

We met a girl celebrating her birthday, 

a couple celebrating their anniversary, several hard core fans 

who've been seeing shows since the mid 90's like us, 

and a handful of newbies catching their first live CLUTCH show. 
Energy was high and everyone was stoked to be there, from the back of the balcony to the rail riders that got to the venue 
hours early to stake out a spot.

Clutch did not disappoint. 

I can't think of a better way I'd rather welcome in a new year.

Here's our full set of photos in the slide show here, with a few favorite shots embedded below. All photos by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiILLiveShows.com.

Clutch NYE 2017/18 Express Live! 
Columbus, OH

Click here and scroll down to check out loads of ChiIL Live Shows' past Clutch photo features and coverage over the years.

Click here to check out Clutch's Official Website, for current tour dates, merchandise and tickets, and updates on their new release. 

At present, Clutch is back in the studio starting in January, working on a new release. We're excited to hear it. The world needs more Clutch! Clutch is in heavy rotation in our home, and remains one of our long time, genre defying favorites. 

We had a chance to catch a few of their upcoming songs during the new years show. Good news is, it sounds like classic Clutch. Bad news is, the new stuff seems to be lacking a bit of something. We're hoping they'll funk it up a bit more during the recording process. They're pros with 25+ years in the trenches, mostly under the radar, yet they're coming off their most commercially successful two albums ever, while staying true to their unique sound, so the bar is high. It's the old band catch 22, if you sound too much like your recent hits it's redundant, and too little like them and your core fans will revolt. 

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we've caught CLUTCH in Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana for over two decades. We're Chicago based, but we were more than happy to road trip from Chi, IL to Columbus to catch CLUTCH for New Years Eve 2017/18. We've covered and photographed CLUTCH live numerous times and this was our 2nd time to catch them for a NYE show. I've even done a video interview with lead singer, Neil Fallon, a few years back, right as Earth Rocker came out, that's still one of my favorite metal band interviews of all times.

VIP for the ADA:

At the venue I was beyond thankful for the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) seating. I've had major knee surgery twice over the past 14 months and I'm still healing from my most recent operation. This is the 4th time I've covered Clutch from ADA seating in 4 different venues. I wove through the crowds and made a trip up to the photo pit for the first 3 songs of each band's set (pretty standard for shooting shows) and was eternally grateful for a chair to return to, in a way no-one truly understands till they've been in major pain. 

I'm finally healed enough to get back to shooting live show as of December, but standing for hours is still a pretty painful prospect. It's been amazing meeting other fans in the ADA section. Some of the most hardcore, enthusiastic music lovers are there. It takes some true devotion to navigate a metal show in a wheelchair, on crutches, or otherwise differently abled. Clutch fans are some of the friendliest, most interesting people out there.

The guy on crutches in the seat next to me had also had knee surgery. He began our conversation "I've never seen Clutch...". I jumped in "They're amazing live, and NYE would be a great first show to see." He laughed and said, "No, I've seen them a ton of times for the past 20 years or more. I was gonna say, I've never seen Clutch on crutches before. This is pretty kickass. We have seats up close to the left of the stage. This is great." Yes, yes it was!

Clutch combined elements of funk, Led Zeppelin, and metal with vocals inspired by Faith No More. Formed in 1991 in Germantown, Maryland, the group included Neil Fallon (vocals), Tim Sult (guitar), Dan Maines (bass), and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums). They built a local following through constant gigging, and after just one 7" single (the classic Earache release "Passive Restraints") Clutch were signed by EastWest Records. Their debut LP, Transnational Speedway League, followed in 1993. A self-titled album appeared two years later and afforded Clutch some mainstream exposure. Pure Rock Fury appeared in 2001, and the similarly uncompromising Blast Tyrant came three years later as their first for DRT Records. Their seventh full-length, Robot Hive/Exodus, followed in 2005 and featured the first lineup change since the early '90s, the addition of organist Mick Schauer.

Clutch's numerous side releases included a groove-based album as well as Live at the Googolplex and the rarities record Slow Hole to China, both issued in 2003. Also issued in 2005, Pitchfork & Lost Needles combined Clutch's 1991 Pitchfork 7" with unreleased demos and early tracks. In the fall of 2006 the band hit the studio with producer Joe Barresi (Kyuss, Melvins) to record its next album; the resulting From Beale Street to Oblivion appeared in March 2007. In 2008 Clutch released a CD/DVD compilation of live tracks from shows in New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Sydney titled Full Fathom Five: Audio Field Recordings 2007-2008 on their own label, Weathermaker Music. The band followed up in 2009 with Strange Cousins from the West before delivering its tenth album, Earth Rocker, in 2013. Buoyed by the success of that album (their highest-charting release ever) and eponymous lead single, Clutch continued their relentless touring through late 2015, when they released their 11th album, Psychic Warfare.

Disclosure: Thanks to CLUTCH for providing us with press comps and photo credentials once again. As always, all opinions, photos and experiences are my own.

More Photo Favorites: