It all started w/ a chance encounter of unique proportions. Don Bidell, Phalex, and Bob Racalla decided to start a classic rock and blues band that would play songs beyond the normal "bar band" fare to be found ALL OVER Grand Rapids. All of them had played the circuit for many years and were tired of playing "Pink Cadillac" and "Mustang Sally" over and over to the same crowds. They wanted to do something a little different, yet still accessible by the masses who would be listening to them.
Around that same time, a frustrated drummer named Kerry Leigh was wondering how to get into the West Michigan music scene. He was new to the Grand Rapids area and really had the itch to start playing again (at least thats what HE claimed the itch was) but he didn't know any area musicians. A conversation was overheard one day at work and it resulted in Kerry being handed the phone number of the aforementioned Don Bidell. They jammed together the week before Thanksgiving and decided to join forces soon after. 6 Months later the newly formed band started booking jobs and enjoying their newfound musical freedom.
Alas, all was not well and soon after Bob Racalla left the band to spend time with his wife and grandchildren.
In The Red pressed on looking for a suitable replacement to fill the void left by their departed founding member. After a brief foray into a disasterous situation with a keyboard player that STILL causes Kerry to wake up at night with cold sweats, they found a guitarist named Richard White. Invited on stage one night to jam on an old Stevie Ray Vaughn tune, the band immediately saw the fit and decided to ask Richard to join the fold. 
This line-up worked for a little while, but the ever shrinking spot-light proved too much to handle for some and.....  But seriously folks, no good deed goes unpunished and soon the band found themselves at a musical crossroads of sorts and the line-up was altered once again.  Don Bidell and In The Red parted ways shortly after hiring new front man Scott LaRoq to be lead vocalist.  This change, however, proved to be what finally made In The Red morph into what they always wanted to be.  A fun band having a great time playing kick ass music to a packed dance floor all over West Michigan.  Suddenly the world was a lot more fun to deal with.....
At least it was for a while.  A couple of years in fact.  But, because of reasons that were plastered all over God's green acre until they were removed, ITR found itself looking for 2 things.  A new singer, and someone to help move equipment.  They hoped they could find it in a single package.  The search ended when they discovered the man now known as Brent.  Just Brent.  Just Brent came to the band during a very difficult period and stepped up to the plate (and sometimes the drum kit) when the band needed it most.  The band is energized with the possabilities of what the future holds, and so am I.  Then again, I get excited when a new episode of "Family Guy" is actually funny, so what do I know.  
Here is to the future of In The Red.  Clearly the best band by that name going in Grand Rapids.
-Buck Weezer
Independent Reporter

(more to come)