The Inspector Cluzo: France’s Rock Farmers Are Back with “Less is More”
Get ready to crank up the volume and dig into the dirt-French rock duo The Inspector Cluzo are back with a new single, a globe-trotting tour, and their most inspired album yet. With “We Win Together, I’m Losing Alone” leading the charge, their upcoming record Less is More (out June 6) promises to deliver the raw, genre-bending energy that’s made them legends far beyond the fields of Gascony.
Who Are The Inspector Cluzo?
Hailing from Mont-de-Marsan in southwestern France, The Inspector Cluzo is the dynamic partnership of guitarist/vocalist Laurent “Malcom” Lacrouts and drummer/backing vocalist Mathieu “Phil” Jourdain. These two aren’t just musicians-they’re also full-time organic farmers, running their own 15-hectare farm, Lou Casse, where they raise geese and grow crops, living out the same “do it yourself” ethos that powers their music.
How Did They Start?
Laurent and Mathieu met in physics class as teenagers and have been inseparable ever since-first as bandmates in Wolfunkind, then as the powerhouse duo The Inspector Cluzo, formed in 2007 when their bassist failed to show up to rehearsal (hence their ongoing tongue-in-cheek campaign against bass players). Their name pays homage to the bumbling detective Inspector Clouseau from the Pink Panther films, suggested by their friend Angelo Moore of Fishbone.
Their Sound: Comparisons and Influences
The Inspector Cluzo’s sound is a wild, soulful blend of blues-rock, funk, and classic rock, performed with ferocious energy and zero backing tracks. Critics and fans have compared them to:
- The White Stripes and The Black Keys (for their stripped-down, guitar-and-drums format and raw bluesy punch)
- Seasick Steve and Jack White (for their authentic, rootsy vibe)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers and AC/DC (for their funk-rock fusion and high-voltage live shows)
- Fellow French acts like Noir Désir, Shaka Ponk, and Last Train
But make no mistake- The Inspector Cluzo is fiercely original, infusing every track with their Gascon spirit and global perspective.
Discography: A Decade of DIY Rock
The Inspector Cluzo’s discography is a testament to their relentless creativity and independence. Here’s a rundown of their major releases:
- Cluzo (EP) – 2008
- The Inspector Cluzo – 2008
- The French Bastards – 2010
- The 2 Mousquetaires – 2012
- Gasconha Rocks – 2013
- Rockfarmers – 2016
- We the People of the Soil – 2018
- Brothers in Ideals – We the People of the Soil Unplugged – 2020
- Horizon – 2023
- Less is More – 2025 (coming June 6)
Each album is self-produced and self-financed, often recorded live to capture their explosive stage presence. They’ve worked with Grammy-winning producer Vance Powell (The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys), especially on their latest projects.
The “Rock Farmers” Ethos
What sets The Inspector Cluzo apart isn’t just their music- it’s their lifestyle. As “Rock Farmers,” they split their year between touring the world and tending their organic farm. Their music and lyrics often draw from their experiences battling industrial agriculture, advocating for sustainability, and celebrating community resilience. They even open some concerts with lectures on agroecology and post-growth philosophy, inspired by thinkers like Henry David Thoreau and Guy Debord.
Are They Touring? Absolutely!
The Inspector Cluzo are hitting the road hard in support of Less is More, with a massive world tour spanning Europe, the US, and Canada. Highlights include:
- June–August 2025: French and European festival dates
- July–August 2025: US and Canada shows with Clutch and Tyler Bryant
- October–December 2025: Extensive UK, Ireland, and European club tour
- January–February 2026: Multiple nights in Paris at La Maroquinerie
Their live shows are legendary for their energy, humor, and the sheer power two musicians can unleash on stage-no computers, no backing tracks, just four hands and a whole lot of soul.
Why You Need The Inspector Cluzo in Your Life
If you crave music with guts, groove, and a message, The Inspector Cluzo deliver in spades. They prove you can stay true to your roots, rock the world, and still get up early to feed the geese. With Less is More, they’re set to inspire a new wave of unity, resilience, and good old-fashioned rock’n’roll rebellion.
So, whether you’re a die-hard rocker, a sustainability advocate, or just love a killer live show, don’t miss The Inspector Cluzo on record, on stage, and in the fields.
Want more? Check their official site for the latest tour dates and news. And remember: sometimes, less really is more.
