Returning to the classics with Redline

Bandmates regroup after chance reunion

By Kate Hayden | khayden@charlescitypress.com

The former high school gang is back together for the members of Redline, the classic rock cover band performing at tonight’s Party in the Park.

The group of five –– lead singer Kim Miller, guitarist/keyboardist Todd Davis, lead guitarist Kevin Kugel, bassist Greg Jans and drummer Dave Becker –– first played together from 1982-88 as students at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, where the band covered the Top 40 radio hits of the day, Becker said.

Over time, two members moved out of state and back again, and everyone settled in around Waverly and Cedar Falls. The band wouldn’t jam again until just five years ago, when tax season provided a surprise opportunity.

“I do income taxes for several of them in the band,” Becker said. “I kind of got [the reunion] arranged as I did their taxes.”

After that initial regrouping in April 2011, Becker said, things started to snowball.

“It was just too much fun,” Becker said. “We had said we weren’t going to buy a bunch of equipment and lights, and now we have a bunch of equipment. Somebody knew a country club that had a jam session, and then somebody booked us, and that kind of got us going again.”

They would only perform twice a month, the band agreed; now, it’s more like three to six times a month in the summer, traveling to town festivals and a few wineries.

“We don’t do a lot of bar stuff,” Becker said. “We don’t like playing until 1 a.m., and we’re able to stay busy enough without doing that.”

As far as the accidental reunion goes, the group is ready to see where the music takes them, he added.

“It could be done this year, and it could go five more,” Becker said, and laughed. “It probably won’t be done this year.”

–20160624–