Truck Driver Songs: Clutch “The House That Peterbilt”

Welcome back to another episode of Truck Driver Songs. Here we take a look back at some of the country and rock songs that immortalize the life of the North American truck driver. This week, we’re back to the big rock sound.

Clutch is a band that may not be appearing in any huge promotional concerts that feature flavor-of-the-week reality singing TV stars, or musicians that garner fame through various Hollywood gossip rags. Where they make their paycheck is through endless touring and some thoroughly brutal hard rock riffs that thrill underground fans the world over, nearly 7 months out of the year.

What do they sing about? Alternate history, conspiracy, assassins, American icons, cars, drugs, death and trucks. And they love to challenge conventions: conventions of rock music, metal, expectations, love, fashion, fame and the trappings of fame. They make it look easy.

Clutch formed in Maryland around 1990. Although the original lineup no longer exists, they continue to evolve their sound and lineup by experimenting with cues from southern rock, blues, heavy metal and stoner rock.

The band consists of Neil Fallon (vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards), Tim Sult (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dan Maines (bass, backing vocals) and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums and percussion). To date, Clutch has released nine studio albums and continues to be a wildly profitable live act.