Artist description If you haven't figured it out by now.....let me explain: Broke Ass Loser disbanded several months ago -- there was never any announcement of a breakup, but the three of us have not been in the same room since we played what turned out to be our final show in May at the Emporium....basically it was all over before that show ever even got started. You see in December of 2000 longtime BAL guitarist Eric Nelson (who was also a whizz with background vocals) left the band to pursue other interests (HINT: Eric's other interests ryhme with Hamy Switala)- which meant Broke Ass Loser was down to it's three original memebers (Jim Lian, Adam Ritchey, and Josh Beck-Esmay)....we tried for a couple of months to find a replacement for Eric.....but ultimately decided to remain a three piece. We played a few more shows in early 2001, and released our first, last, and only record; the critically acclaimed (yeah right! it's such a goddman terrible album) "Girls are Shitty E.P." Then things really began to deteriorate....Adam and I were spending quite a bit of time working together in his dorm room at Hamline writing and recording a bunch of new stuff.....but the music and the lyrics were a lot different (and better) then the BAL stuff, and we decided to form a side project called "Lakeside Drive," which was essentially just the two of us (and was also very short lived), we started to see less and less of Josh and started to focus on our newer material (because it was so, so, so much better).......Rosie's little sister got us acoustic gigs at a local coffee shop, and we played at Hamline (adam's college) a few times -- all without Josh. After not practicing at all for probably 2 and a half months, BAL played at a rundown electric building (very crappily, and very stoned) in Anoka -- and the magic was gone.....we weren't having fun, we weren't playing good together anymore, and most importantly we didn't believe in our songs anymore.......WE HAD MATURED -- OUR GOOFY LITTLE PUNK BAND WAN'T FUN TO BE IN ANYMORE -- WE HAD GROWN BEYOND SONGS ABOUT HOW POPULAR GIRLS WERE MEAN TO US, AND JOKES ABOUT THE PENIS JUST DIDN'T SEEM AS FUNNY TO US......THINGS WERE BECOMING VERY DIFFERENT INDEED! we played one more show after that -- but it really, really wasn't our finest hour (especially for me)........that was in May and it was the last time I ever saw Josh (If you're reading this...waht's up man). In the months since the breakup I have been writing and recording a lot of new stuff (trust me, it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO different from the old Broke Ass Loser bullshit) and Adam and I are currently looking for a drummer for a new band based around the new songs.......we also plan to release our first album (even though we don't have a name, or a drummer)within a couple of months -- check back here for any updates (none of the new songs available for download yet.....but if you wanna check some of them out e-mail me at: brokeassloser@hotmail.com or IM me at: brokeassloser and I will be sure to send you some clips). Anyway, that's it!!! Broke Ass Loser is gone......none of those songs will ever be played again (unless there is some sort of a homo-erotic reunion). If you hated our little group....congrats! You were right......we were shitty!!!! If you loved us.....it sure was fun, wasn't it fun! Your Pal, Jim Lian R.I.P. Broke Ass Loser 1998-2001 (here is our old bio) Jim Lian R.I.P. Broke Ass Loser 1998-2001 Broke Ass Loser is a four piece melodic punk rock band from the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. Our music could best be described as fast, poppy, melodious, emo, guitar driven punk rock...but at the same time it is just so much more than that. Broke Ass Loser has been described by others as: "A mixture of punk rock and alternative shit," or "A pop band that plays fast," and even "A hardcore punk band." No matter what you wanna call us...there are certain traits that stand out about Broke Ass Loser....Strong lyrics that most anyone can relate too, catchy speedy guitar lines that will stick in your head for days, an exciting live show that will definetley get you pumped the fuck up, the dorkiest front man of any band around, and a youthfull, emotional, energetic punk rock sound that you don't come across everyday.

Music Style Melodic, guitar driven, emotional, poppy punk rock

Musical Influences No Use for a Name, Blink 182, The Ataris, RiverFenix, Strung Out, NOFX,, The Get Up Kids, Limp, Good Riddance, Lagwagon

Similar Artists Blink 182, No Use for a Name, Strung Out, Good Riddance, The Ataris, Sum 41, Fenix TX

Artist History We formed Broke Ass Loser in late 1998 or early 1999 (we can't really remember) while we were juniors in high school. We had talked about starting a band since 8th grade, but I (Jim) didn't even play an instrument. Eventually I bought a guitar, and then finally in 10th grade, I bought a bass. Everything was now in place, and the magic could begin. The original lineup featured; Jim Lian (Bass/Vocals), Adam Ritchey (Guitar), and Josh Beck-Esmay (Drums). The original plan was for Adam to be the lead singer of the group, but soon after we started practicing...we realized that just wasn't gonna work (no offense Adam, you just didn't have it back then)! So then I stepped in (even though my voice hadn't even finished changing yet). Before we could really devote any time to practicing....we needed a name. We had been kicking around names since way back in the day....but never found one that captured our youthful, dorky, wannabe punk rock band image. So in January of '99, we finally decided on Missing Link. The focus then switched to the music. We started out with a couple of covers (Screeching Weasel's "Cool Kids" and a wussed out slow acoustic style version of Blink's "Dammit") and then I began writing songs (man, what a disaster that was). After a month, we figured we were ready for a live performance, boy were we wrong. we played at the Dwelling in Anoka and SUCKED!!!!! I mean we SUCKED!!! But we kept going and I kept writing songs, and we actually started to get a little better. In May we got to play in front of about 200-300 people at The Anoka High School food drive. We played rather crappily, but the crowd was into it...and we actually got some fans. About a month later we asked Eric Nelson (a guy we had known for a while, and who worked with me at Wal-Mart) to join the group, and he agreed. The new lineup was; Jim Lian (Bass/Vocals), Eric Nelson (Guitar/Vocals), Adam Ritchey (Rhythm Guitar), Josh Beck-Esmay (Drums). With Eric on board, our sound changed dramatically (we actually sounded kinda good), and that really inspired me to write a lot more.....and before we knew what hit us, we had a couple of really good songs! We decided then and there that we needed a new name, Missing Link was old hat....and with the addition of Eric, we sorta felt like a whole new group. So we became Broke Ass Loser. We played some shows, I wrote a lot more songs, Eric busted out some solos......and suddenly we had a following. Things just kept going up from there!!!! Broke Ass Loser was starting to become a serious force in the Anoka music scene. Eventually we decided it would best for the band if I switched to guitar and we replaced Adam, so bassist Aaron Purmort (another Wal-Mart employee) joined the group. The lineup was now; Jim Lian (Guitar/Vocals), Eric Nelson (Guitar & Vocals), Aaron Purmort (Bass), and Josh Beck-Esmay (Drums). We continued to play shows, and recorded a demo CD, things were definitely going very well. A little while later Aaron left the group to pursue his band (Consenting Adolescents), and Broke Ass Loser took some time off. When we resurfaced, we decided that their was only one man who could replace Aaron....and we brought back good ole' Adam Ritchey to play bass. The lineup was now; Jim Lian (Guitar/Vocals), Eric Nelson (Guitar/Vocals), Adam Ritchey (Bass), and Josh Beck-Esmay (Drums). Things were okay for a while, but then Eric got so bust with school, girlfriend, and other musical projects that he wasn't able to practice anymore.....he even missed a show (Our good friend Nick Jacobson-Larson filled in on bass, Adam played rhythm guitar, and I played lead). Eric came back and played with us on December 8th, 2000, at the Emporium in Elk River....but that may have been his last Broke Ass Loser show. We will have to wait and see what happens, but I can assure you.....no matter what happens....Broke Ass Loser will continue to crank out fucking punk rock tunes like there's no tomorrow. In the not to distant future we plan to; record a new CD, get signed, tour, and fucking rock out!!!! Oh, a few side notes....Girls hate me, Eric and Amy have morbid babies, Ada, Ritchey's dick is sooooooo big, and Josh plays D&D.Jim "Hey girls, please like me!" Lian UPDATES: Eric left, Me and Adam smoked a lot of pot, and no one knows what happened to Josh....you see; we fell apart!!!! The band broke up!!!! Our last show was on May 8th at the Emporium....and I was wasted on speed, and Josh didn't even know how the songs went!!!!!!

Group Members Jim Lian - Guitar & Vocals Eric Nelson - Guitar & Vocals Atom Ritchey - Bass Josh Beck-Esmay - Drums

Instruments Two vocals, two guitars, bass, drums

Albums Girls are Shitty E.P.

Press Reviews To read any of our reviews; go to our official website at: http://www.brokeassloser.com/

Location Minneapolis, Minnesota - USA

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