Legendary ‘80s Missoula teen band releases two new songs
Founding members of popular Missoula rock band, The Rage, have collaborated on a new two-sided single, marking a long awaited return to making music together since disbanding in 1984. The release is available on all streaming and download services now.
Chip Whitson, Kyle Brenner, Greg Sanders, Kevin Hammond and later John Brenner, all Sentinel High School students formed the rock and roll group, popular throughout Montana for the better part of the early 80s. If you went to high school during that period, there’s a good chance The Rage played your prom or homecoming dance. As mere high school kids they won a slot on the Montana Gold II album in a statewide contest to find the best ten bands in Montana. Their song “Break Another Heart” was a featured track and received 2nd place in the voting. The Rage went on to play music at Missoula’s first ever Senior All-Night Graduation Party. They were also known for holding teen dances at the East Missoula Fire-Hall, which were always full to capacity.
Guitarists and singers Chip Whitson and Kyle Brenner got in touch recently and decided the time was right to finish writing and recording a couple of original songs that had been around in their vaults for a few years. The results are the power ballad “Brightest One” and the fast-paced rocker “Wreck of Me.” Both songs can be found on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Google Play and most other music services.
Whitson and Brenner continue to play and write music in their respective communities: Whitson as a solo artist in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Brenner with his band of 36 years, The Max, based in Livingston, Montana. The collaboration was made possible through digital recording technology over the internet, and Whitson’s son Jesse Lionberger, who is pursuing a career in recording studio work. •
