Interview with Neil Fallon of Clutch – Nerdom, Beer, and Children’s Books
Neil Fallon is the vocalist, lyrical genius/madman of Clutch, and a personal musical hero of mine. While the genre of Fallon’s band is up for debate, the passion of Clutch’s fans is not, cementing the band as a “cult band.”
Before Clutch’s performance with Orange Goblin, Lionize and Scorpion Child at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, I had the honor of sitting down with Neil to discuss his love of Star Wars, beer, lyrical complexity and much more.
When we ask, is blogging the curator of hip hop, you have to keep in mind a few things. For example, this panel was assembled to discuss a topic that doesnt get much respect or attention. In mainstream thought, people dont say that thanks to AllHipHop.com or Ashleyoutrageous.com that Macklemore is getting big or that Wale and Wiz Khalifa got big. (Obviously blogs were not the 100% reason they did get famous but blogs were significant factors for their success, or so the panelists claim. I’m not the expert on their rise to fame, the bloggers are). You also must remember how hip hop is curated currently or previously? The most consistent curator for hip hop has been the radio stations. As they panelists asserted, radio stations would get records/tracks long before they were available for purchase by the general public. Thus they held the chips on reviewing artists and their songs, and promoting (or not promoting) said songs/albums. 
What is SXSW? It is a film, interactive, and musical festival held annually in Austin, Texas – the music capital.
