ClusterPluck

Americana's wild child, ClusterPluck, mixes bluegrass, folk, rock, jam, and country into a hearty sonic stew. Throwing tradition aside, they utilize Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass, Dobro, Mandolin, Banjo, Drums and four part vocal harmony. This four piece band from Southern Illinois (close to St. Louis, MO) produces an up-beat, electric, grassy energy with some country jam for listeners of all ages to enjoy.

The group started in late 2010, as three friends and fellow musicians who wanted to try their hand at acoustic based music after playing in electric bands for years. Chris Rader, Derek Rutter, and Justin Torres decided that ClusterPluck was the vessel. After a few lineup changes throughout the years, the original three always persisted. What has grown from those simple seeds of stripped down music to today, is very much like a tree in full bloom.

In December 2016, ClusterPluck released a 12 song full length studio album, "Thousand Miles to Go", which also featured Matt Gadeken as a member of the band on violin and vocals. After Gadeken’s departure, the band found themselves as a three piece once again. In early spring of 2021, the self titled studio album of classic ClusterPluck songs re-imagined, all of which were no longer available for listening pleasure, was released. Later in 2021 the band of three announced that Britton Liefer would be joining the band full time on drums. Through the years the band started plugging in more and more and experimenting with sounds and layers. It was time to add the beat that had been missing for too long. Britton also adds the ability to step from behind the drums and grab the mandolin, giving a nod to the roots of the band and the music they play.

With their fan base steadily growing, "The Pluck" has, and continues, to tour throughout the United States and Canada. They have played various well known venues including: Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Cervantes' Other Side (Denver, CO), Delmar Hall (St. Louis, Mo), The Echo (Los Angeles, Ca), The Knitting Factory (Brooklyn, Ny), The Bottleneck (Lawrence, KS), Georges Majestic (Fayetteville, AR), Rose Music Hall (Columbia, Mo) and The Old Rock House (St. Louis, MO), The Tower Theatre (Oklahoma City, Ok), The Capital Theatre (Bloomington, Il) as well as many music festivals including: Wakarusa, Harvest Festival, Summer Camp, Revival, John Hartford Fest, Blissfest, and Beaver Island Music Festival. ClusterPluck has also shared the stage with acts such as: Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Diamond Rio, Steve ‘N’ Seagulls, Turnpike Troubadours, Leftover Salmon, Fruition, Cracker, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Danny Barnes, Elephant Revival, Granger Smith, and Earl Dibbles Jr.

This band of hungry, performing songwriters are hitting the road, and coming to a town near you. Be Ready.