Clutch for three decades it has not slowed down its pace, and what is the secret of their long-term success? In a recent interview with Full Metal Jackiefrontman thing Neil Fallon opened up a conversation about his band’s unique songwriting process, upcoming music, and their place in the larger rock scene.
Fallon shed light on the songwriting process, which develops through the band members playing together. However, not every idea makes it to the final version. Sometimes the best songs are the result of spontaneous moments: “Sometimes the songs write themselves, as if they fall from the sky. When you have four people trying to think as one brain, sometimes there is alignment and sometimes there is tension. The satisfaction comes from that eureka moment when you realize what the song is really about.”
He also revealed that the band is currently working on writing and recording demos for the new album, with plans to enter the studio in early 2025: “We’ve started the writing process, we’ve been doing a bit of pre-production, which is really just demos. We will do it again after the tour with Rival Sons in October and December, and we hope to shoot in early or mid-spring. We are planning releases for the end of 2025. Although it sounds far away, it will come faster than we think.”
The conversation also touched on the evolution of the band, especially how they are Fallon‘these songs shaped by his exposure to different musical genres over the years. Reflecting on his early years, he said: “When I started with these guys, I was only 19 years old. I had a limited view of music. But all these years in music and being exposed to different genres have taught me to appreciate things that I didn’t before.”
Fallon also talked about re-releasing the debut album Clutch “Transnational Speedway League,” which was remastered and released on vinyl: “I know I can sing much better now than I did then. Most of those lyrics were written only a day before the recording, and it sounds like someone else sang them.”
When asked how musicians stay healthy and energetic, Fallon noted: “When you’re young, you think you’re invincible. But music is physical, and if you don’t have health, you can’t perform it properly. We are all lucky, but you can improve your chances by taking care of yourself. After a show, going to bed is now far more attractive than going out to bars, which was different in 1997.”
Fallon concluded that the voice requires special care: “After an hour and a half of screaming, I wish for silence. It is important to do everything so that you can repeat the same thing the next day. If that means tracksuits and watching ‘Breaking Bad,’ then so be it.”
Source: balkanrock.com
