CLUTCH, Sons of Icarus, General @Rock City, Nottingham 9/7/13

Balding men in the mid to late 30s who also have beards, seem to have found their role model if the crowd tonight at Rock City is anything to go by. The venue is packed with just that type of clientele.

The reason that we (and lets be in doubt that RTM is in its late 30s, is balding and has a beard) are in the East Midlands is to worship at the altar of Clutch and specifically their frontman Neil Fallon, who would act as our spokesperson, if we only knew what the hell he was singing about.

But before all that, let’s break it down to brass tacks, as Fallon might say himself. Joining Clutch on this tour are two young British bands, who might – given the sense of anticipation for the headliners, expect a difficult time. Actually, such fears prove unfounded and General go down pretty well. The Coventry band have evidently listened to a lot of Corrosion of Conformity, and songs such as “Monkey City” showcase their talent nicely.

Another fast rising UK combo, Sons Of Icarus, are next up. The Guildford based four piece have garnered some rave reviews for their early shows. Not quite as overtly stoner as the openers, and without the all out riffery of Clutch, instead they knock out some infectious hard rock grooves and, with a new album due to out soon, are ones to keep an eye on  - although one of the tracks did stray a touch too close to power balladry.

It was in this very room where RTM was anointed into the cult of Clutch. A few years ago they were the main support to the aforementioned CoC. They were brilliant. Then we saw them support Thin Lizzy 18 months or so back. They were brilliant.

This is, though, our first experience of seeing the band – Fallon on vocals, occasional guitar and cowbell, Tim Sult on guitar, Dan Maines on bass and drummer John Paul Gaster – headline. They are in town because in March the put out what very well might be the album of the year when such things are totted up in December. “Earth Rocker” is a quite stunning piece of music that for our money is right up there with the best they have ever done – which makes it very, very good indeed.

They begin with its title track. The song does two things. First, it encapsulates everything that good about the band. It has massive riffs, is catchy but interesting. Second it is perhaps the only song in metal history to contain at his heart the word “bloooahaha” (just listen to it).

The band clearly think “….Rocker” is as good as we do, because during the course of their hour and half with us they knock out 10 songs from it (or in other words, all but one). “DC Sound Attack” and “The Face” are perhaps the best of them.

There is a dip into some of their older material, with four songs from “Blast Tyrant” and arguably their best known song “Electric Worry,” which closes things.

What happened tonight was quite phenomenal. The crowd response to the four-piece is verging on the rabid and proves the band are on the very verge of becoming genuine stars.

To borrow another line from one of their songs, “if you are gonna do it, do it live on stage, or don’t it at all.” And quite frankly that is exactly what they did. We are close to being in gig-of-the-year-so-far territory. Clutch are our band, everyone. And they are quite, quite fantastic. 

THIN LIZZY, Clutch @Wolves Civic Hall 27/01/12

When four normal looking, slightly rotund, beardy blokes stroll out on stage before a gig it is usually the roadies, lets be honest. But when these unassuming men plug in their instruments and the magnificence that is “Slow Hole To China” starts up, then it is a signal that Clutch are in town.

If the total lack of image probably accounts for why they don’t headline these type of venues – and why about half of the crowd isn’t in their seats by the time the set starts - then their brilliance should make them household names anyway.

This is a band of huge, monstrous grooves and a superb rhythm section, topped off by vocalist Neil Fallon’s fine delivery and rather idiosyncratic stage dancing, it is also a band with ”The Devil and Me and “Electric Worry” in their arsenal – which makes them a cut above most bands.

Most bands, but not Thin Lizzy.

Before we get onto the nuts and bolts of the thing, lets deal with the elephant in the room. Phil Lynott isn’t here. But this isn’t a tribute band, the presence of Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton means that they can justifiably and legitimately use the Lizzy moniker.

And the 2010 decision to recruit former Almighty man Ricky Warwick to perform singing duties was inspired. Warwick is a fine songwriter and a fine frontman, and can admirably sing these songs in his own right, while acknowledging the presence of Lynott.

This is the second time this version of Lizzy has his these parts. Just over 12 months ago they gave a stunning performance of some of the best rock n roll songs ever written and tonight – almost literally as the setlist is basically a replica – is just the same.

Albeit with one key addition. Guitarist Damon Johnson is in the 2012 model, replacing Def Leppard man Viv Campbell, and Johnson is a revelation, Adding a US cool, he is the perfect foil for Gorham, who is content to almost play second fiddle to the younger man.

Maybe the understated Scott is just enjoying the set? It isn’t hard to do so. Packed with classics, kicking off with “Are You Ready?” they toss out “Jailbreak” second song in and follow it up with “Bad Reputation.” This is an evening to celebrate the legacy of one of the greatest bands of all time.

Highlights are many but “Still in Love With You” which sees Warwick and Wharton share vocal duties is right up there, However it is perhaps the last five songs that really bring home the sheer scale of repertoire Lizzy have. “Cowboy Song,” “The Boys are Back In Town,” “Emerald,” “Rosalie” and “Black Rose” are right up their with any band in history.

This version of Lizzy is apparently recording songs for a new album, and it needs that, because while a little nostalgia never hurt anyone, the six men in the band – completed by bassist Marco Mendoza – still have much to offer, and it will be interesting to see what they come up with.

In the meantime we have had the memories of tonight, which just likes last year will be one of the gigs of the year.