Editor's Note: The following story has been corrected from a previous version.
MONROE - They trade song titles back and forth like they're inside jokes, each band member cracking a smile when their favorite comes along.
The band "Universe," comprised of Todd Schindler, Joe Najat, Steve Nelson and Lonnie Wild, has been rehearsing all week before they headline Concerts on the Square in downtown Monroe on Friday. The bandmates started in high school, and all but Nelson graduated in 1984 - he graduated in 1983. This year also marks the 30th high school reunion for Schindler, Najat and Lyle.
Schindler sings lead vocals in a raspy, hard-rock timbre with backup vocals by Najat, who harmonizes in a soft falsetto. Najat also plays drums, sometimes while singing. Nelson lends extra rhythm on his bass with the occasional layered solo over the band's big sound. Lyle brings up lead guitar and is a master of the fretboard.
Each member grew up in Monroe, and only Najat now lives elsewhere. He came in this week from Oakland, Calif. for "the big gig" and is visiting with his sister, as well as the veteran bandmates.
Najat and Lyle are the founders of "Universe," which began in 1978, coming together after Najat was learning guitar from Lyle's father. Schindler and Nelson said they learned guitar by proxy from Lyle's professional training in guitar. Lyle took lessons in Madison and brought back his expertise to his bandmates. The band had a short run in high school, but the guys remained friends over the years.
"The band did not survive high school," Lyle said.
"I think we kicked each other out of the band several times," Najat said of their high school years.
They play classic rock covers from the 1970s and 1980s with a little bit of improvisation and lead-ins sprinkled lightly throughout their setlist. Najat said the name "Universe" turned out to be prophetic when they got to play an "end of the universe" gig in December 2012.
"We were at the end of the universe, and we've got the T-shirts to prove it," Nelson said.
Schindler said the band played a gig in May 2013, and Tracy Hamilton, who helps organize Concerts on the Square, happened to be at their show and insisted that they play the next year.
"We didn't know he was there and kind of forgot about it; then he called in February and asked us to play," Nelson said.
The guys said they all play music for fun now. Their enjoyment is obvious when they play Wednesday night in Schindler's basement. The musicians slyly look at each other before a big solo or chorus. Each takes a turn to lock eyes with Najat as he drums, followed by big grins. During Lyle's blistering solos, the rest harmonize and keep tempo, letting the guitarist rend through musical scales, slowly bringing the song back to its familiar ending.
"We don't make any money doing this, but it sure is a lot of fun," Schindler said.
MONROE - They trade song titles back and forth like they're inside jokes, each band member cracking a smile when their favorite comes along.
The band "Universe," comprised of Todd Schindler, Joe Najat, Steve Nelson and Lonnie Wild, has been rehearsing all week before they headline Concerts on the Square in downtown Monroe on Friday. The bandmates started in high school, and all but Nelson graduated in 1984 - he graduated in 1983. This year also marks the 30th high school reunion for Schindler, Najat and Lyle.
Schindler sings lead vocals in a raspy, hard-rock timbre with backup vocals by Najat, who harmonizes in a soft falsetto. Najat also plays drums, sometimes while singing. Nelson lends extra rhythm on his bass with the occasional layered solo over the band's big sound. Lyle brings up lead guitar and is a master of the fretboard.
Each member grew up in Monroe, and only Najat now lives elsewhere. He came in this week from Oakland, Calif. for "the big gig" and is visiting with his sister, as well as the veteran bandmates.
Najat and Lyle are the founders of "Universe," which began in 1978, coming together after Najat was learning guitar from Lyle's father. Schindler and Nelson said they learned guitar by proxy from Lyle's professional training in guitar. Lyle took lessons in Madison and brought back his expertise to his bandmates. The band had a short run in high school, but the guys remained friends over the years.
"The band did not survive high school," Lyle said.
"I think we kicked each other out of the band several times," Najat said of their high school years.
They play classic rock covers from the 1970s and 1980s with a little bit of improvisation and lead-ins sprinkled lightly throughout their setlist. Najat said the name "Universe" turned out to be prophetic when they got to play an "end of the universe" gig in December 2012.
"We were at the end of the universe, and we've got the T-shirts to prove it," Nelson said.
Schindler said the band played a gig in May 2013, and Tracy Hamilton, who helps organize Concerts on the Square, happened to be at their show and insisted that they play the next year.
"We didn't know he was there and kind of forgot about it; then he called in February and asked us to play," Nelson said.
The guys said they all play music for fun now. Their enjoyment is obvious when they play Wednesday night in Schindler's basement. The musicians slyly look at each other before a big solo or chorus. Each takes a turn to lock eyes with Najat as he drums, followed by big grins. During Lyle's blistering solos, the rest harmonize and keep tempo, letting the guitarist rend through musical scales, slowly bringing the song back to its familiar ending.
"We don't make any money doing this, but it sure is a lot of fun," Schindler said.