The Trend is getting back together for a special performance at the Kennett Country Club on Friday, March 2 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its LP album, "The Trend Is In!" [Click to enlarge]

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of its LP album, "The Trend Is In!" the Kennett-born, Brit-inflected 1980's bubblegum-power-pop group, The Trend, is getting back together for a special performance at the Kennett Country Club.

The Trend started as a four-member group in 1979, know then as The Knack, Jr., playing the MOD Assembly at Kennett High School (KHS). Later the band evolved, adding a new member to its roster with the goal of breaking out in an effort to be "a real pop band" rather than only performing as a one time "talent show act."

The five-member group included John McMullan, songwriter, rhythm guitar, and vocals; Brian Mitchell, drums; Matt Collier, frontman; Mike Astrachan, lead guitar; and Bill Joslyn, bass guitar.

Following the release of The Trend's new single in 1981, the band recorded an album, which was cut at Kennett Sound Studios and produced by Dunklin County's own Gary Wilcoxson, a member of a band some are pretty familiar with called the Usual Suspects. Wilcoxson produced the album alongside McMullan, and Keith Mitchell, the father of band member, Brian Mitchell.

Mitchell helped to underwrite the newly produced album, "The Trend is In." This string of momentous events took place through 1981 into 1982.

The Trend became a popular band in Columbia, Mo., and remained heavily listened to in that area for years, performing in clubs and opening for underground bands. According to a 1983 article in the Southeast Missourian, the band dressed in unique wardrobe to accompany its fresh sound. Each band member's outfit seemed to be inspired by a primary color, for example, Collier belted his lyrics out in bold orange, Mitchell fused a bright yellow in the mix, Joslyn broke out in blue, McMullan gravitated audiences toward the stage in green, and Astrachan rocked out in red.

Southeast Missourian writer, Julie Boyle, may have put it best when she said that "The crayon-box look had become their trademark and made a distinctive cover for their album." The Trend album art is yet another much talked about topic surrounding the pop band.

"Some people talked about the album cover more so than the record," joked McMullan.

By 1984, the album recorded in 1982 by some talented guys from Southeast Missouri, was recognized by Billboard Magazine as a Top Album Pick. It was compared to British bands such as "Gerry and the Peacemakers," and "Herman's Hermits," these among other influential groups of Britain.

According to Dunklin County's Friends of Music organization, as time passed, band members headed in different personal directions. They did, however, reunite in Los Angeles in 1998 for the International Pop Overthrow. The band performed yet again together in 2001, at a St. Louis Cardinals game in St. Louis, Mo., singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." In 2005, The Trend found recognition once again, only this time thanks to a two-CD collection of pop songs titled "Yellow Pills: Prefill." The release was included in Entertainment Weekly's review, which singled out three songs, one of which McMullan previously recorded in Columbia in 1984, called "She's Hi-Fi." The single was included in another power pop compilation later that year, International Pop Overthrow #8. Since the compilation CD "Yellow Pills" chose to re-release Trend songs, those songs are now available for download on iTunes. The songs available are "(I Feel Like A) Dictionary" and "She's Hi Fi."

The release, Yellow Pills: Prefill, is available on Amazon.com, and VH1shop.com.

According to McMullan, the live version of "She's Hi Fi" that appeared on International Pop Overthrow, Vol. 8, is not currently available on iTunes, but the CD is available on Amazon.com and VH1shop.com.

After the band plays at the Kennett Country Club, which is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., Friday, March 2, they are playing in Nashville at a club called The End, as part of the International Pop Overthrow festival. Trend will take the stage at approximately 9:45 p.m., on Saturday night, March 3, in Nashville.

The band is looking forward to getting together at the Kennett Country Club on Friday.

"We do not want anyone to get the false impression that this performance is for Country Club members only," McMullan said. "The Country Club is the venue, but the doors are wide open for everyone on this particular night."

McMullan said that reservations are not required but individuals can make them if they choose by calling (573) 888-9921. The band is requesting a $5 donation per person to benefit the Delta Children's Home.