Reunion is 25 years in the making

It is a concert reunion 25 years in the making and it's slated to happen at the Fowler Theater in Fowler, Colorado on Saturday, April 4. Tension Envelopes, a punk rock band who played the hottest music scenes in New York City in the 1970's and 80's will be reuniting from across the country for a rock and roll event. The public is invited and admission is a non-perishable food item for the community food bank. 

Fowler's own Tim Byrnes was a member of Tension Envelopes and is organizing the concert. Byrnes says he moved to Fowler 15 years ago to get sober. At that time the band had broken up and it's members drifted apart. However, two of his fellow musicians, Carl Simmons, and Rick Neblung, kept in touch with Byrnes, regularly checking in on him. But in 2008 Byrnes received word their drummer, Mike Hegger, had passed away seven years earlier. The news was a shocking wake-up call triggering talk of a reunion among the remaining three members. "Mike's death got us all thinking about how good it had been playing together," Byrnes comments. Simmons lives nearby, in Loveland, Colo., but Neblung stayed on the east coast in Roxbury, New York. Despite the distance, Neblung is making the 2000 mile journey in April to reunite Tension Envelopes and honor the late Hegger. Byrnes says they are excited about performing together again, "We've grown as musicians as well as people." He adds, "It feels like the last 15 years have been leading up to this....getting some good out of a misspent youth." Simmons plays bass, Neblung, vocals, Byrnes is on lead guitar and vocals and their drummer is to be named later. Byrnes says they will be performing all original material, including several new pieces.

Byrnes wanted the Tension Envelopes reunion to be more than a bunch of guys getting together and kicking around, so he has turned the concert into an opportunity to showcase local talent as well as collect food for the food bank. Being a musician it was natural for Byrnes to join a local band. He now spends part of his free time playing lead guitar for Flashback which will also perform next Saturday. Rob Poulignot is making his vocal debut with the group, Kenny Morgan is on bass and Dan Guerra on drums.

Opening the evening will be local punk sensation, Fantastic 45. Also on the line-up is heavy metal band, Smile as it Dies.

In Byrnes words the evening promises to be a "celebration of friends, old and new," adding his thoughts on reuniting with his old band and also performing with his present group. "Flashback is a different kinda fun, and on April 4th I get to play the blues with Flashback and revisit my loud and angry youth with Tension Envelopes. So, I know how lucky I am."

Byrnes wants to point out, punk rock is not purple hair and funky clothes. In his mind it's a way thinking, an attitude. "Punk rock is not a sound it is a way. Like all art is not a thing, but a way. To me the punk rock ethic involves doing it yourself, be it homemade cassettes or renting a theater in your town. I've also thought that punk meant believing what you sing, play, say and do. To me, Johnny Cash would be the ultimate punk rocker," states Byrnes.

Excitement over this reunion and giving younger bands a chance to perform in their local community is driving Byrnes to consider some grand plans. Byrnes envisions small communities all over the United States hosting regular rock events which would showcase local talent as well as collect food or other needed supplies for charity. He is hoping Fowler can be the birthplace of nationwide Rock 'n Roll Food Drives.

The public is encouraged to come out April 4th and enjoy this unique experience. Show starts at 5 p.m. at the Fowler Theater.