Maybe Next Time, a pop-punk/easy core band originally from Zeeland, Mich., is slowly conquering the Grand Rapids area and moving on to bigger things.

The band, which began as a twosome featuring Grand Rapids Community College student Sam Engelsman and high school senior Riley Aalderink on guitars, has since expanded to include Mark Avery on piano and synthesizer as well as two Grand Valley State University juniors: bassist Josiah Samy, drummer Miles Foster and vocalist Matthew Grodus, the band’s most recent addition.

“We decided to meet up at my house (one night) and we finished our first song,” Grodus said. “I was then added as the vocalist of the band. Sam, Riley and I also started writing lyrics to our second song and a lot of progress was made. We were all amped up that night. It was the start of something real.” They began compiling a real set list in March of 2011 and held their first official full band practice.

“All of our songs are 100 percent original,” Aalderink said. “We are just trying to write songs that are upbeat, fun, and relatable to most people. We look for being a positive influence through our music.”

In addition to performing, Maybe Next Time is endorsed by Jupiter Clothing Co., a small company out of Ohio that provides merchandise and media attention for the band.

“We have performed in Grand Rapids at the MXTP venue with Hawthorne Heights, The Intersection and The Pyramid Scheme with The Wonder Years,” Aalderink said. “Also at Lemonjello’s in Holland and the Elks Lodge in Grand Haven. We hope to perform at some bigger venues in Grand Rapids, and to soon start playing shows out of our local area.”

This year, the band plans on releasing a four-song EP and overhauling their image with new shirts, promo pictures, art, songs and shows. After that, they hope their next new addition will be a recording contract.

“The band’s goals are to hopefully get signed first off to a small time label, get some exposure and take it from there,” Foster said. “I hope this is something that eventually takes us to a point where we can go on tour, play shows, make music.” Although playing shows close to home is still fun for the group, Engelsman said he thinks the band is ready to play for some new faces, meet some new people and experience life on the road.

“It will be a challenge no doubt, but it is something we want to do,” he said.

While the men behind Maybe Next Time are all unique, they get along well and say their cohesion is necessary for their success.

“Each member brings their own influences and style,” Grodus said. “We are all brothers and Maybe Next Time could not go on without any of the boys that are in it now. I can say that confidently.”

Though Foster said the band doesn’t have any big hidden messages or teachings in the lyrics, Grodus said some of their songs go deeper than just the sound. Take for example, “Awesome Ends With Me,” which deals with overcoming peoples’ judgments and perceptions.

“It is about rising above the negativity to be who you want to be,” Grodus said. “You only have one life — be who you want to be.”

The band’s favorite song, “Safe To Say,” is about a girl who, desperate for attention, breaks hearts.

“This all might sound corny, but Maybe Next Time writes songs about real life circumstances,” Grodus said. And for the members of Maybe Next Time, their overall mission reflects their real life circumstance; their chosen path.

“We just want to show people that they should go after their goals and have fun doing it while surrounding yourself with good friends that can enjoy the journey with you,” Engelsman said.

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