I have mentioned Clutch as one of my all time favourite bands in posts, replies and music threads many times. http://www.pro-rock.com/ We first saw them in the mid 90s and have seen them again at least 20 times through the years. One of my best experiences was knowing guys in an opening band at one of their shows and smoking a joint with them in the green room before the show. Never forget that.

Last night it was time to see them again with the old gang. They have a fresh new album called "Book of Bad Decisions" I have become immediately fond of here: http://www.pro-rock.com/index.cfm?page=headlines&hid=2450

Source:exclaim.ca

Here is what I listened to as research before the show.

We may have seen them many times in the past but theirs shows have become a yearly event (or so) where we get together as a group, hit a place with good beer and food, and act like college kids again rocking out as hard as we can. The preconcert gathering this time was at this place http://www.eastboundbeer.com/site/and I was too caught up in the company and experience to get any pics of the place, beer and food for a Tasteem review. Next time!

Quick and dirty review: GREAT beer, weird menu but I managed to enjoy the hell out of a pulled pork sandwich and the fries were awesome.

Credit: sevendust.com

Sevendust https://sevendust.com/ was the opener. Apparently, if this show was in the states, Sevendust would have been the headliner because of their popularity but in Canada, apparently Clutch is more of a draw. Either way, they played a great set with aggressive and progressive heaviness mixed with a little modern polish/production. Great vocalist and fantastic drummer.

Finally it was time for Clutch. Here are a few pics....

Source: Tim Sult - Clutch

Here is the song list that will be jibberish to most but awesomeness for my fellow gear heads. What a great mix of old and new with the new songs working very well within the set. It might be because I listened to the new songs repeatedly so I would be familiar?

Also of not was this is my first show since Marijuana legalization in Canada and I didn't know what to expect. Despite my belief that the security at the venue would exercise their right to claim private property and harass all the weed smokers, that plain didn't happen. they let it all pass through the door and the polite Canadians followed the rules and smoked (LIBERALLY!) on the patio. Such a pleasant surprise!

Here is a strangely appropriate psychadelic pano pic of part of the crew after the show.

What's your favourite band to see live?