Happy Wednesday, friends! I know it’s been a little quiet around here lately, but we’re about to change that. Let’s head into the second half of our week with a fresh new Profile to start. New Jersey and Philadelphia-based sludge crew Clamfight are releasing their new self-titled album this coming Friday. And honestly, as heavy as their fourth album is – and it certainly is heavy – I’m getting good vibes from this thing left and right. It is absolutely something I cannot wait to spend some time with in full later this week. So on that note, give drummer/vocalist Andy Martin’s responses a read below to learn more about this project, Clamfight’s history, and get a sense of what’s to come. This promises to be a good one.

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

I have a very clear memory of being a very little kid, riding through the Pine Barrens with my Dad so early in the morning that it was still dark and “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin blasting on WMMR. That’s probably right where it all started for me. As for parental pushback, it was the opposite… we practiced in a building Sean’s Dad owned for years and my Mom calls the guys her babies. Clamfight has existed for most of our lives and one of the reasons is that our families have always been supportive.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

The logical result of 4 guys raised on classic rock and grunge discovering hardcore and sludge. During our formative years you had an equal chance of finding us listening to our dad’s vinyl collections as dodging flying bodies at a Converge show.

Is there anything about your upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

That I had written several songs worth of lyrics based on history or horror movies before I tossed them all in favor of going straight from the heart. I remember agonizing over a bunch of lyrics about the Donnor Party before throwing them out to write about the four of us and the way our relationships have changed over the years. So instead of trying to force some metaphor about cannibalism and the evils of Manifest Destiny, I wrote a 7-minute biographical song about how much I love the guys. That song became the title track off our new record “Clamfight”.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

Too many. When I was younger and dumber I used to get pretty indignant about clubs that ended shows at 10:30 and had a dance party afterward. Now it’s kind of my favorite thing in the world. Last time we played Savannah we pretty much danced till closing time. Woke up the next day was like, “why the hell are my legs so sore? Oh right…”

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

I think the best thing is that post-Covid it seems like metal has gotten less white and male. Nothing bad can come from more diversity in heavy metal.

In terms of the worst, the economy has been bad for a while and looking like it’s going to get even worse. A lot of cities are hemorrhaging venues, and I think we’ll see more of that. Support your local venues and tip your bar tenders kids.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

Hot take: Women, BIPOC, and LGBT folks should have rights and shouldn’t live their lives in fear. We’ve never been a very political band but in this current moment of constant performative cruelty, being decent human beings has become a political act. Oh, and fuck AI forever. Don’t touch it. For any reason.

Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Joel runs road crews, Louis does IT, and Sean is an audiologist, so I suspect that every time he buys a bigger amp he’s making our hearing loss his retirement plan. I’m an archaeologist and write horror on the side. You can find that on instragram as @grassapewritesandyells. Also, Sean and I are both very serious fishermen, him in bass tournaments, me freezing in the surf. Louis and Joel are rabid F1 and Philly sports guys. GO BIRDS!

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

You all are heroes in my book. As a guy that only listens to the same 5 bands, I can’t fathom the level of passion and dedication it takes to write about the gazillions of bands out there today. Y’all are amazing. No notes. Thank you so much.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Keep at it. We’re all getting older but the fire in our bellies isn’t going anywhere so more shows, more records, and finding a space for this band that makes sense for each other, our families, and our careers is all I want to do.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

“Scared to be Here” by God Called in Sick and “Harsh Surrealism” by Dirt Pile have been in heavy rotation because they’re on record release show. Just blistering bands. “Last Laugh” by Thunderbird Divine, “Judith Slaying Holofernes” by Oldest Sea, and “Vessel” by Benthic Realm are favorites by some of our favorite people that came out in the last year or so. “The Past is Still Alive” by Hurray for the Riff Raff and “Stampede” by Orville Peck were probably the records I listened to most in 2024.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

Our fourth record, “Clamfight” comes out on 5/16/25. Our record release show with God Called in Sick and Dirt Pile is on 5/31 at Kung Fu Necktie in Philly, then we’re in Brooklyn with Hollow Leg and Florist on 6/20, followed by Poponi Fest at Underground Arts on 6/21. We have a bunch more shows cooking for the fall. Poponi Forever.

Summarize your band in one word.

Love.

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Many thanks to Andy and Clamfight for the time!

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Clamfight is out on Friday, May 16th. For more information on Clamfight, jump over to Facebook or Instagram.