By Lisa Burke
October 14th 2016, The Novo, Los Angeles CA: New beginnings seem to be happening all over Los Angeles lately, with plenty of revamping of old live music venues at various locations to provide new venues for live music acts. Other venues simply changed their name but kept the same interior decor, as is the case with the Novo, formerly Club Nokia, in downtown Los Angeles. On Friday October 14th 2016, I was there for headlining act Clutch who were visiting town on their tour with support acts Zakk Sabbath and Kyng.
I will say this venue is exceptionally prompt with their set times normally, even to the point that they start a touch early. I therefore did not get to catch any of Kyng‘s set, unfortunately, as I arrived just as they walked off stage. It definitely sucked to be me at that moment because from prior experience they are really an exciting band to watch and I believe a great fit with Clutch. Somehow, they seem to be slightly underrated in the scene but I’m clueless as to why because their live sets are very intriguing and dynamic to say the least. I discovered them many years ago at a small venue and have not forgotten about them since.
Moving forward to Zakk attack time, as per usual, Zakk Wylde in Zakk Sabbath brings out the guitar parlor tricks which I make sound like child’s play by phrasing it that way, however I can assure you it’s all actually quite impressive if you haven’t seen it before. He can play a guitar behind his back, above his head, and with his teeth as if he’s eating his guitar for dinner, and now I think I’d like to graduate to see him play standing on his head because I believe him to be capable. This Black Sabbath cover band consists of three members only, but with the stylings of Zakk added in, that’s really all they need. His voice is great for the tunes, although used more sparsely than the original songs because he drags the guitar parts out to show off his solo workings. The bass player spent quite a bit of time on stage staring at the hard hitting, very capable and hard working drummer rather than the audience for unknown reasons other than the speculation that he was perhaps trying not to take too much attention away from Zakk, despite the fact that he’s a quality player with charismatic stage presence. Anyway, back on Zakk, he also did his famous “fishing line move” as I’m calling it where he has a super long guitar cord that one of his roadies holds in the air for him as he jumps down into the audience and plays a solo for days while the crowd surrounds him in awe. What is slightly humorous about this is that without that “fishing line” there would be no way to find him in the crowd as he is a rather short man off the stage. Then as he makes his way back in, he gets reeled in by the roadie and all of a sudden once back on stage he looks larger than life once again. For this particular show the backdrop was a pretty exciting design as is their current Zakk Sabbath t-shirt which the bass player was wearing as an example. There was a moment when the Clutch drummer wearing his ‘9:30’ shirt came out with a couple of drums to assist on the jam, which was definitely unexpected and unique. The lighting was as it should be with a quality light show of non stagnant settings. The most epic of all the Black Sabbath covers Zakk plays is always ‘War Pigs’ and his rendition of ‘Fairies Wear Boots’ is a close second. It was also refreshing to see a talented Black Sabbath cover band not eat a hamburger on stage or spray you with water from a mustard bottle while singing in a fake accent. Oddly, he didn’t have as many guitar switch-ups as he usually does during a performance and just stuck mostly to his custom purple bulls eye. Overall, it was a great performance as always and he usually does vary the set list to surprise the audience which makes seeing him more than once a year not a dull time.
Then after a little Motörhead over the PA, it was time for Clutch to take the stage and headlining this tour has been quite the successful accomplishment for them it seems, because they rocked the house down with their non-stop funky stoner sludgy psychedelic bluesy rock n’ roll. This Maryland based band has been around the block many times since their 1991 formation, yet the complete body of work they have to date has raised them to the top of their career only to rise even higher upon the next album release. Songs from the latest two albums ‘Earth Rocker’ and ‘Psychic Warfare’ are impressive to watch live as lead singer Neil Fallon puts the presence in stage presence and sings his heart out while also busting out some great riffage on the guitar at prime moments. ‘Sucker For The Witch’ is a fun favorite, as is ‘Minotaur’, and the combination of elements used in such a way as they are in this band is what really rises them to an upmost level of interest and keeps them away from typical sounding straight blues rock. Another fun quirk is the at times nonsensical lyrics that also have a wit about them, much in the style that David Lee Roth sometimes works, and it is a delightful, humorous and soulful adventure to witness live. They ended the encore with ‘Spacegrass’ as a noble and wise choice and with probably the longest set I’ve ever witnessed them play, it kept my interest throughout. The first time I ever saw them I was not sure what I was watching as they were on a strange bill to begin with and weirdness ensued. However, years later I completely understand Clutch as a concept to the point where I couldn’t imagine them any other way and I am grateful for the experience. I believe also that at least one of the band members is always wearing a 9:30 t-shirt after the club with the same name located in Washington DC where they recorded a DVD. If you think about it, 9:30 is the perfect time because at AM or PM it’s still not too early and not too late. It’s also noteworthy that Neil only plays guitar sometimes, which works for them well, as the main guitarist is a genius on his own accord. Once again they worked up an excellent set list and I’ve never seen them do the same show twice.
The Novo has grown on me with its medium-sized space, large stage and access to all three levels helping break up the monotony of the scene, plus there is always a good view of the stage to be had if you seek it out. The moral of the story here is clearly turning out to be that variety is the spice of life and living a life of this nature is sure to keep you young and vibrant in anything you do.
Clutch set list:
01. You Can’t Stop Progress
02. X-Ray Visions
03. Firebirds!
04. Immortal
05. Gravel Road
06. (Notes from the Trial Of) La Curandera
07. Sucker for the Witch
08. A Quick Death in Texas
09. The Regulator
10. Minotaur
11. Passive Restraints
12. Pulaski Skyway
13. Son of Virginia
14. Noble Savage
15. Electric Worry / One Eye Dollar
Encore:
16. Escape From the Prison Planet
17. Spacegrass