CLUTCH frontman Neil Fallon spoke to Boston-based writer Deb Rao recently about a number of topics including their new album, From Beale Street To Oblivion, out now via D.R.T. Entertainment.

Fallon recently described the new Clutch release as this: "This is probably the most ‘live’ album we have recorded”, enthuses vocalist Neil Fallon. “We went out for a few weeks, and played the music on the road. So, when we went into the studio, all of us knew exactly what was going to happen - a first for Clutch. I don’t know why we haven’t done it this way all a long; it’s so much easier. We also recorded the basic tracks directly onto tape. Nothing digital in there at all. We haven’t done that since ‘The Elephant Riders’. And this record has a few more bluesy elements than has been the case in the past, but nothing so blatant that it could be called alien to what we do.”

Here are more excerpts from the chat:

Rao: Let's discuss your new release, From Beale Street To Oblivion. How did you come up with the interesting title? It kind of sounds like the title that is influenced by Sunset Strip or New Orleans.

Fallon: "(Laughter) that title came out of a line from one of our songs called, 'The Devil And Me'. We had a really had time picking the title for the record. So we started going through lyrics to find a title and that seemed to kind of fit the bill."

Rao: Would you say the title is kind of influenced by I sold my soul to the devil to play rock and roll, and paying your dues kind of vibe to it?

Fallon: "I would never do such a foolish thing. But that song, 'The Devil and Me', at least in my mind is about an idea of God and the Devil personified as two old guys sitting on opposite street corners screaming at each other. Now Beale Street is in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a blues district that was part of a circuit back in the day. They have an amazing new museum there now, The Museum of Rhythm and Blues. It is kind of like a tiny New Orleans, it has a Quarter that is dedicated to nightclubs. You can go there any night of the week and see bands play. For me going to this kind of place and seeing bands play on a Tuesday night for food is refreshing. That will never die there."

Rao: So much of Clutch's music is blues oriented. The title really fits the new album really well. How does From Beale Street to Oblivion compare to previously Clutch releases?

Fallon: "The blues as far as I am concerned is described for me, as rock and roll owes everything to the blues. Even the most obscure, extreme European metal band wouldn't be doing that if it were not for the blues in North America. Our last record really isn't a blues record. It has a little bit of flavor. I think that anything we listen to can ultimately be an influence. There is a lot of music there that we listen to."

Rao: How has the addition of addition player Mick Schauer helped to cultivate the blues sound in Clutch?

Fallon: "At this point, he is the sound. He is not an addition anymore. The organ fits perfectly between guitars and bass. I have always loved that sound. Especially DEEP PURPLE, it is an invigorating sound. Mick knows how to play it correctly, having grown up; where we are from go from listening to a lot of different music."

Rao: I noticed that Clutch also has kind of a punk sound infused with a bluesy kind of base. Did the SEX PISTOLS ever influence you, at all? Growing up were you ever influenced by the punk genre?

Fallon: "I always thought the Sex Pistols were terrible. I thought they were a terrible band. As far as punk goes, I like bands from D.C. such as MINOR THREAT and BAD GRAINS. There were a lot of them. As far as punk goes, I like Bad Brains. They were one of those bands that did hardcore and they did reggae. That was eye opening for us, that you could do two types of music in one set. That was awesome."

Rao: You recorded, From Beale Street To Oblivion a little bit differently that previous records. It is on reel-to-reel tape, and not done digitally. What made you decide to do that? How did it affect the sound?

Fallon: "When we did Blast Tyrant, we did it digital from front to back. Especially in the writing, the machine did an awesome. We also realized that can also becomes a clutch. If you rely too much on that. We decided that we wanted to write the record before we recorded it and play it on the stage. Joe Barresi did an awesome job of recording it with microphones in a great room.

Rao: That is a cool story. Clutch has been in the music business for many years. Is their any lessons that you have learned along the way that you would like to share with us?

Fallon: "Be humble; keep your mouth shut and your ears open."

Rao: What is the secret to the longevity of Clutch? What has kept the band together all of these years? Would you attribute it to always putting out something new?

Fallon: "That is true, but more important than that is friendship."