What does the band name mean?

Inevitably, the band name draws a strong reaction.  One bar owner told us he was reluctant to book us for a show because he thought we were all probably a bunch of losers . . . this is like saying you're not going to book Bullet for My Valentine because you're worried they'll shoot the place up, or Simple Plan because their plan might be too simple.  Dumb.

We like to let people interpret the band name for themselves, for the most part.  However, since some people have insisted on knowing what we mean, here is our take on Life Spent Losing:

1. The first meaning most people make of our band name is that life can be very unlucky for some people. These people continually take high stakes risks in life and lose.  Whether the risk is money, moving to new places, love, or something similar, they always fail to find the "happiness" they were looking for.

Some people also suck at competing . . . like, are the worst athletes, gamers, and gamblers ever.  Studies have shown (I use Fox News' take on that phrase . . . subtext is, "this is my opinion") that a fairly high percentage of these people don't realize how bad they suck, and thus spend their whole lives at it.  We hope to convince them to quit trying.  Give up, accept that you're an uncoordinated tool, and assume your place as captain of the couch.

2.  Another meaning to consider is the person who spent their entire life doing the wrong things.  In other words, a life spent losing time.  People who got into their careers for wrong reason and now hate them, Others who followed dreams that didn't pan out . . . they wanted to be the next Elton John, but never really got the break they needed.  These people look back on life and find themselves wishing they'd made different decisions in the past.  "I wish I hadn't married X", "I wish I had gone to school."  "I wish I bought a Snickers and not a Milky Way".  Preoccupied with the past and unable to adjust for the future, they almost always have perfected the "I'm Depressed" middle-aged, man-gut
.

Note:  There may be more than three ways to interpret the name . . . like I said, the band in no way wants to impress our ideas on you.  Feel free to post your own interpretation if you have something different that comes to mind.

3.  My last contribution to the "name meaning" discussion is this:  life is about loss.   Life is the process of learning to accept and deal with loss.  So a Life Spent Losing is what's in store for all of us. Everyone and everything loses and suffers during life.  Whether you're busy losing your youth, time, flexibility, strength, wealth, or loved ones.  All losses great and small help you to prepare for death, to let go of everything.

Most people don't get to meaning #3, or if they do, they shy away from their own mortality, afraid.  They say, "That's really f'n depressing, Drew!"  I agree . . . kinda.  However, I think that acceptance and awareness allow us to live in the moment and appreciate the things that are great right here and now.  Those who don't understand the brevity of what we are and what we have, end up wasting their time here.  Yes, I have wasted time, lost many things, friends, and family over the course of my life, which makes what I still have all the more precious.  It is loss that makes the things we have in life valuable in the first place.  I think of the name, Life Spent Losing, as more of an affirmation of living in the moment and appreciating what we have right now; than a depressing motto for losers . . . but that's just me.

Hopefully, everyone will read this and be inspired to go hug someone they love, take time to nurture their spirit, and savor life . . . before it's lost.  Peace.

Gig ettiquette

I stole this from my brother . . . kinda . . . see here'd be the thing . . . many of you have asked me to "let you know" when the band is playing next.  I can only assume that you might be picturing a friendly 3 - 5 minute call asking how the kids are and what you think of the weather, or a text replete with the gig details and a pithy personal message.  Apparently, our friendship and your support falls within that which is immediately convenient.  Similar to a baby opening their mouths and waiting to be fed.  While I would be content to sit on my couch all day and blast twelve year old kids on Battlefront, I'm an adult . . . and I have shit to do.

Here's how gig information gets communicated: we have a website www.lifespentlosing.com

 that lists all of our shows, including the time, date, who's allowed in, cover, and location (usually even includes a link to a google map).  This website thing also has pictures of our band,

videos, examples of the kinds of bands we cover, and pictures of the band playing.  The kinds of things one might expect on an informational website . . .

We also have a Facebook page.

Facebook is this new idea where people can find friends, groups, and activities that they "like"

to become part of the community.  Then when there's a post (informational tidbit), the "liker" gets "notifications" that something is going on.  In addition, we send "invites" on Facebook to all our friends.  I have to click their picture and prove I'm not a bot to send it, so I think that counts as personal . . . In addition, we often tag or post videos and pictures of the band and our friends on Facebook.

Done?  No siree . . . for our "real" supporters, there's an app called Bands in Town.

 This app tracks bands and updates fans on new tour dates in their area.  Now, if you live in another state, it's not likely to do you any good to follow my band.  We're local.  If you want to know when my band is playing around Des Moines . . . this thing is like a little buddy that looks up from your pocket or purse and says, "hey, that kick ass band you love is playing Friday at Down Under" . . . but you do have to click, like 5 things to get started on it . . .

So let's review: website, Facebook, Bands-in-town.  These are three of the ways that I reach out to people personally to let them know a gig is happening.  If that isn't sufficient, I guess you'll be watching karaoke this Saturday . . .

We Broke Another Drummer . . .

This is a blog about band life . . . or my perspective on playing as in a local rock band.  One of the fascinating things about musicians in general, and guitarists in particular, is that they love to watch, listen, or read something and then tell everyone how they could do it better.  If you're one of those people, feel free to stop reading now, and go write your own blog.  I'm sure it will be great . . . go on . . . we'll wait 'till you're gone.

My band, Life Spent Losing, has been playing in one form or another for the last 7 years or so.  We play rock and pop punk for local bars in the Des Moines area.  Des Moines is in Iowa if you're not sure what that is . . . Iowa is in the Midwest of the United States . . . if you need more help than that . . . stop reading and give up on life. 

Nick, the guitarist, and I are the only remaining founding members.  We've lost 2 singers and now 3 drummers . . . lost in the sense that they have moved on to other things, not that we physically misplaced them or anything like that. 

Our first drummer, Timmy, was a long-distance relationship from the start. 

Timmy - Drummer #1

Unfortunately, despite his talent, rehearsing and gigging were nearly impossible with him living 3 hours away.  He eventually fell in love, moved to California, and now lives happily with his girlfriend and cat somewhere out west.

Original Line-Up of Life Spent Losing

Dale was our replacement drummer for Timmy, and basically learned drums on the fly.  Except instead of flying . . . I seem to remember it feeling more like falling.  I vividly recall Dale unpacking his drums 1 hour before our first gig together . . . sinking feeling and all.  I remember him pale and sweaty looking

Dale rocked out with us for 3 or 4 years.  (I could remember more exactly, but that would require actual effort and reflection)  but injured his arm about a year ago, and had to have surgery on it to fix a ligament that was torn . . . bottom line, we broke him and he needed time to get fixed.

We brought on a guy named Bradley to sit in and play our scheduled shows until Dale could get back in the ballgame.  Bradley put in a ton of work and learned our entire set in a week or two.  We played a New Year's Eve gig and two other shows in January that went pretty well.  Shortly after, Bradley posted a picture of himself in a cast.  His wrist had some version of gout, and was swollen and painful to move.  Damn . . . another broken drummer.

The good news was that Dale should've been almost healed, and that we would be able to play most of the shows we had scheduled even if Bradley's wrist is permanently grapefruit sized.  Shortly after I found out that Bradley has a wrist the size of a volleyball, Dale called me to say that God has revealed to him that he's not supposed to be in a band anymore . . . seriously?  Maybe he meant that you weren't supposed to watch television, or eat Doritos or something, Dale . . . ugh . . . NEXT!!