If anyone ever sat down to write the rock ‘n’ roll rulebook, chapter one would surely describe the smoke-filled dive bars, drunken hecklers, low incomes and assorted hardships bands must endure before even thinking about getting a record deal.

Texas-based progressive metal act Losa has managed to sidestep the rules, signing a contract with Metal Blade records after only a year of existence. Bassist Joshua Urista says the band was taken by surprise when the label offered it a spot on the roster.

“We were totally flattered and a little beside ourselves to get signed so quickly,” Urista says. “It kind of worked out good, because we were kind of over working the local scene.”

Urista says Losa’s focus on musicianship is one of the band’s key traits, and this characteristic helps it stand out from much of the rest of the heavy metal pack. He says the group is intensely dedicated to improving its musical skills and takes influence from other instrumentally complex bands such as Opeth and Meshuggah.

“When we pick up our instruments we try to push ourselves, we want to be sound musicians,” Urista says. “The progressive side of our music is something we really try to focus on.”

The complexity of Losa’s music, along with its highly active performance style, forces the band to adhere to an extremely rigorous practice schedule both on and off the road.

“We have to warm up for at least an hour before we go on stage,” Urista says. “If we were the kind of band that just stood there, it would be easy.”

The members of Losa are veterans of the Texas heavy-metal scene, and Urista says the challenging nature of the band’s music is a welcome change from his previous group’s material. Urista says he quickly tired of his former band’s unwillingness to evolve as musicians.

When playing live, Losa doesn’t pause between songs, creating a constant ebb and flow of music and keeping between-song banter with the audience to a minimum. Urista says for a headlining show, Losa plays its debut album “The Perfect Moment,” from start to finish.

“We play 45 minutes of continuous music,” Urista says. “If we communicate with the crowd at all, it’s while music is still going on.”

Although the band doesn’t always address the audience during a set, Urista says the members of Losa are driven by crowd response and winning over new fans with an intense live show.

“The response we’ve been receiving has been amazing and that’s what keeps us going,” Urista says. “I’d like to think if you come see us live, you’re going to be floored.”

What: Losa with Jacknife

Where: Hairy Mary’s, 2307 University Ave. in Des Moines

When: 9 p.m. Monday

Cost: tba

Losa discography:

“The Perfect Moment” (Metal Blade, 2005)