‘Original, tight’ group signed to local record label

By: Dustin Looney
Features Editor

The Raging Clue, a “celticore” rock band composed of Monmouth College students, recently signed a recording contract with Dusty Records.

Dusty Records itself has strong ties to Monmouth College, as it is owned by Monmouth senior, Dustin Bennett, of Lake Forest, Ill. Bennett first heard about The Raging Clue last semester by reading an article written about the band in The Courier, proving that it pays to read your student newspaper.

Bennet later heard the group perform at an open mic night at the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house. The Raging Clue’s unique sound caught Bennett’s ear, and he decided to sign them as the first band to be represented by his Dusty Records label.

“I’m really excited to be working with a group that’s so original, so tight musically,” Bennett said. “I think they put on a great live show and we’re trying to capture that same energy in the studio. I’m stoked; I think it’s going to turn out great.”

The contract became official on Feb. 15 when the band members met with Bennett in the Hewes Library to sign papers.

The Raging Clue began about five months ago and consists of sophomore Raleigh Moon on bass, senior Kurt Carlson on vocals, junior Jered Piepenbrink on drums, sophomore Matt Danaher on guitar, junior Mark Mullaney on bagpipes (this is a Monmouth College band, after all) and, in an innovative twist, freshman Lindsey Hugenberg as the band’s flute player.

Hugenberg is the newest member of the band, as she joined the five original members about month ago. Her flute brings a new sound and distinctive musical element to the band’s unique style.

“I really enjoy working with The Raging Clue so far, and hope to continue to add my unique flute sound,” Hugenberg said.

The band has already begun recording its CD, which is tentatively titled “The Monmouth E.P.,” and will have four to six tracks, all of them originals. They have been recording on the weekends at Dusty Record’s recording studio, The Dust Bowl, which is located in Lake Forest.

Bennett said they are approximately half-way through the recording process and hope to be completed by the end of spring break; the anticipated release for the CD is mid-April.
Among the tracks to be included on the CD are fan-favorites “Watch Where You Stick It,” “For Monmouth” and “Loree.”

The Raging Clue, whose name is derived from a comical episode of the well-known television cartoon series “South Park,” has gained many fans due to their passionate live performances, which display the band’s primary goal: to play good music and have a good time.

The group is an affable bunch, and as Carlson says, “I know that when I write lyrics I like to get the fans involved by writing funny lyrics and getting them laughing, but we also like to put in really catchy drum beats and bass lines.”

Band members have been worried about Danaher’s drum beats, though, as he has recently developed an unhealthy obsession with the 80’s song called “Africa” by Toto, according to Moon.

If The Raging Clue’s E.P. is successful, they will likely record a full-length album, and they might eventually go on tour.

For now, though, the band is focused on growing as a group and playing distinctive music. “We’ve really grown close since the band was started,” Moon said. “That familiarity makes it easier for us to gel and create an endearing, cohesive style of Celtic rock music. As our skills keep growing, this band can only get better.”