Even Butler County's corner of the world was affected by the Beatles leading the “British Invasion” in 1964. It was a time when teenagers struck up four-man bands just from listening to recorded tunes.

By 1968, they were hitting their stride performing for local audiences. The music kept changing and so did the musicians. Many from these '60s cover bands have continued to revise with the times and technology, still rocking out today.

The Sequins band started out rehearsing in the basement of front man Drew Moniot's family home in the Highfield neighborhood.

Ray Voller of the modern day Jentz recalled the band's early days when the group was known as The Gents, rehearsing in the living room at the home of the group's drummer, Bob Steele.

Listening to recordings was how The Gents learned tunes, too.

“The way we did it then, we put on a record and listened to it over and over,” Voller said. “Bob's dad Elmer usually picked up the phonograph needle over and over again for us to nail down the songs.”

“I've been with the band (off and on, mostly on!) since 1970. There are no original members at this time, but I am the oldest 'tenured Gent,'” Voller said.

Tom Menchyk of Butler started out in a band called Skid Mark and the Victims playing bass for songs from groups like the Beatles and Yardbirds. He played with The Gents/Jentz for decades, and now performs with the four-man Rumblers. He joined The Gents about 1968, a few years after it was formed.

“It is ironic how today, that old stuff is highly sought after and used by groups like The White Stripes, Beck and many others,” Menchyk said. “Our P.A. systems back then were makeshift affairs with very low power. Today, P.A. equipment is much louder, cleaner and of significantly better quality than we had back then.”

“Most of us never approached playing in a band as a job. It was always something we loved to do and we still love it today,” said Moniot.

Read the full story, which dives into the history of many local bands and players, and looks at where they are now in Sunday's Butler Eagle.