The Clutch Kings Biography (Get Clutched)

The Clutch Kings hail from Austin, TX and are everything the band’s name suggests. They pack the big Texas rock sound into a mighty guitar, bass and drums format. Outstanding vocals, crunchy rock guitar riffs, chugging bass grooves, and thundering drums are the order of the day here. With Kember Ottley’s amazing vocals out front they can do what few bands are capable of by playing a mix of Rock covers, New Country and some guilty pleasure ‘80s.

The band was formed in 2011 when longtime friends Michael Tarsha (bass guitarist for AudioLight) and Kory Brown (lead guitarist for the Bitter Angels) were playing the same bill and noticed that the opening band had cancelled. Not wanting to let the audience or club owner down, Michael and Kory put together a quick 45-minute set within just a few days, called in a favor with one of their favorite drummers and named themselves The Clutch Kings. What started out as a challenge and one time gig to play some of their favorite cover tunes quickly turned into more than they expected when the club asked them back to headline more shows. More clubs caught the Clutch Kings vibe and gigs started to pile up.

Today the band is made up of Kember Ottley who can sing anything from Opera to Ozzy. Rob “The Professor” Vela is on lead guitar and can pull off everything from SRV to Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. Kriss Ward lays down big, tasty drums grooves and handles background and even lead vocals on a few tunes. Michael Tarsha of course still handles all the bass duties.

Today the band stays busy playing clubs, private parties, corporate events, tailgates, car shows and of course the annual Corvette Invasion in Austin.