Band reunites to reminisce “about music we liked as teenagers”

Published 9:26 am Wednesday, June 10, 2026

QUINCY — A rock band formed in 1984 to perform in New Faces at Quincy High School reunites as part of the 40-year reunion of the QHS Class of 1986.

The JYNX performs Friday night at the Dick Brothers Events ballroom, 929 York.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and taking the stage at 8 p.m. will be the band featuring Kent Embree on vocals, guitar and keyboard, Burt Shackleton on vocals, guitar, keyboard and saxophone, Brad Bisser on lead guitar, Brian Link on bass, Kevin Kewney on keyboards and programming and Sam Middendorf on drums.

Embree said it’s been fun for the friends to relive the band experience from high school.

“It’s an opportunity you never think will happen again,” he said. “When it does, it’s just a wonderful feeling.”

The original band played together for a few years, performing a few songs at a time for high school dances and various “Battle of the Bands” events. Coming back together now is an opportunity for people “to reminisce about some of the music we liked as teenagers,” Embree said.

Shackleton asked the band members to get back together for the reunion. Original drummers Stuart Bartley and Doug Brush couldn’t participate due to distance, so Middendorf stepped in to give his time, talents and resources to make the reunion possible.

“It was a perfect time for guys not living in Quincy to come back, but we knew that it would take quite a bit of practice to be able to play enough songs to handle a couple hours of music,” Embree said. “It took about a year’s worth of planning to put together.”

Beyond the challenges of finding a venue, sound and lighting technicians, the band had to figure out how to bring its New Wave and punk sound together with musicians living on both coasts and in the Midwest.

An internet system using a software server gave the band opportunities to play together online, despite lags in the audio signal, and two in-person “band camp weekends” helped hone the sound along with a “rehearsal gig” in March with an audience.

When the band drifted apart, Shackleton continued to play over the years with various bands at area venues, and some other band members also kept up with music.

Embree played over the years as a way to relieve stress, then joined his church praise band some eight years ago.

“That helped me get my guitar and singing chops back again,” he said. “Most of the songs we are playing are new as far as learning them. All of us have listened to those songs a thousand times, but listening to them and learning to play them are two different things.”

Keeping the music going all these years later speaks to the strength of the public school music program.

“You hear music educators talk about music being able to be with you your entire life unlike other activities you do in high school,” Embree said. “Here we are, at almost 60 years old, and most of us can still play something and consider it part of our identity.”

If You Go

The JYNX Reunion Show is free and open to the public, with a request that attendees make a freewill donation to Horizons Social Services.

“With having so many people together, we thought it would be nice to benefit a local nonprofit,” band member Kent Embree said.

A cash bar will be available, and outside food is allowed in the venue.