Watch ‘Drifting Through The USA’ On IMPOSE!

“The characteristic harmonium and violin blend with enveloping synths, undulating loops and gated rhythms of hazy origin. There are often many unsung musical heroes who never seem to get the credit that they deserve. Jeff Clarke is one of those heroes. During the past 15 years he has branded his own type of psychedelic country rock n roll such that world has never heard before.

I remember meeting Jeff Clarke in 2002 in Montreal when the Demon’s Claws first shared the stage with King Khan & BBQ. Watching them play made my mouth drop, it felt like discovering the Rolling Stones…. they managed to capture the raw power of pure unhinged rock n roll and add to it a gunslingin’ whiskey drinkin swagger the likes of Merle Haggard, Billy the Kid and Conan the Barbarian all in one!!!

The reign of the Demon’s Claws was one that was wrought with many accidents and bumps along the road but what they left was a huge stain across North America. That stain turned  into the modern day “garage punk” movement. They were a part of the origins of the “Death Cult” along the likes of the Black Lips, Jay Reatard, King Khan & BBQ, the Gris Gris and the Spits. In fact in many ways they were the outlaws amoungst the outlaws. Their unruly hedonistic behaviour was stuff that legends were made of and subsequently had them banned from many clubs and feared by many promoters. The truth of the matter is that the sound that Jeff Clarke “not-so-innocently” unearthed nearly a decade ago has influenced so many of the young groups of today. There would be no Ty Segall or Acid Baby Jesus if Jeff Clarke hadn’t inseminated rock n roll with his fertile seed.

His new incarnation goes by the name of “Hellshovel” where he has teamed up with an international team of players. Their sound invokes both demons and angels. This time around Jeff Clarke’s songwriting has truly evolved and embraced a new level of fiction. Imagine Walyon Jennings being sucked up into an Orgasmatronic UFO and surrounded by light beings that poked and prodded him.

Could Jeff Clarke be the Arthur C. Clarke of modern Rock N roll? Is Hellshovel that great black monolith in the sky that will have all the primates crushing eachothers bones over? All that can be really done is celebrate that we are admist a true living legend in his prime. If his music isnt enough to draw you into his world then try his avant garde paintings or perhaps his incredible comic art. Whatever form of Jeff Clarke you chose to try it will leave you with a very strong taste in your mouth and might change your life forever.”  — King Khan

Tour Dates w/ King Khan And The Shrines:

Oct 11 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah  #
Oct 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Culture Collide Festival  #
Oct 13 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s SF  #
Oct 14 – Portland, OR – Dante’s  #
Oct 15 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater  #
Oct 16 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s  #
Oct 17 – Boise, ID – Neurolux  #
Oct 18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge  #
Oct 19 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge  #
Oct 20 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar  #
Oct 21 – St. Paul, MO – The Turf Club  #
Oct 22 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon  #
Oct 23 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge  #
Oct 24 – Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop  #
Oct 25 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick  #
Oct 26 – Toronto, CAN – Horseshoe Tavern  #
Oct 27 – Montreal CAN – Cabaret la Tulipe  #
Oct 29 – Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall  #
Oct 30 – New York, NY – Webster Hall  #
Oct 31 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer  #
Nov 1 – Washington, DC – Black Cat  #
Nov 2 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall  #
Nov 4 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West at King Plow Arts Center  #
Nov 5 – Birmingham, AL – The Bottletree  #
Nov 6 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia Bar  #
Nov 8 – Lake Charles, LA – Dharma
Nov 9 – Houston, TX – Notsuoh
Nov 12 – El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls  #
Nov 13 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom #
Nov 14 – Tucson, AZ – Topaz  $
Nov 15 – Palm Desert, CA – Hood Bar
Nov 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Ham & Eggs Tavern
Nov 17 – Santa Rosa, CA – 1067 4th St.  @

# = w/ King Khan and the Shrines!
$  = w/ Weed
@ = w/ Guantanamo Baywatch

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