From Gregg and Duane Allman to Angus and Malcolm Young, rock music has a lengthy history of siblings sharing the stage.

Tim and David Olson, guitarist and drummer of Ames/Cedar Rapids-based post-hardcore band The Anchoress, joke that being in a band as brothers can be an advantage rather than a source of sibling rivalry.

“It makes it easy, because the guitar and drums are in the same house,” Tim says.

In spite of his brother’s more humorous take on things, David says playing with his brother in The Anchoress is easy since they are both on the same page musically.

“My brother and I have been playing together since we were 10 or so,” David says, “We both like the same music, so it works.”

The Anchoress formed roughly three and a half years ago around Tim, sophomore in economics, and vocalist Greg Meister of Cedar Rapids, after the demise of Tim’s former band, Second Chapter.

“Greg was a roadie of ours,” Tim says. “When Second Chapter broke up, he asked me if I wanted to be in a band.”

Tim says that over the years the band has gone through a number of lineup changes, and this shifting of band members has allowed The Anchoress to grow and progress musically.

“We started off kind of punk with some screaming, but our sound has evolved a lot,” Tim says.

The brothers agree each member of the band brings something unique to the overall makeup of The Anchoress. Tim attributes this to the members’ diverse musical influences and unique personalities.

“Justin [Hepker, guitarist] brings the flashy guitars and metal grit, Greg brings a lot of general energy,” Tim says.

David says bassist Phil Young, the newest member of The Anchoress, brings more than just musical talent to the band.

“He’s the heartthrob,” David says. “He brings that sex appeal.”

Although Tim says the current lineup of The Anchoress is the most solid it’s ever been, there are other obstacles the band faces. Since Tim lives in Ames and the other members live in Cedar Rapids, finding time to practice and compose new material can prove difficult.

“We write the majority of the music in the summer,” Tim says. “It’s a lot of driving, so we don’t get to practice much.”

The band has also run into snags getting its full-length album ready for release. Tim attributes this to a lack of funds among the band, as well as to the fact The Anchoress’ lineup has only recently solidified.

“It’s mostly because of lineup changes and general brokeness to get it mastered,” Tim says.

The band has previously released several EPs; however, these releases are out of print. Tim says although The Anchoress has been drawing crowds in Cedar Rapids and Ames, getting booked elsewhere with no product to promote can be a challenge.

“Locally we’re pretty well-established,” Tim says. “But it’s definitely harder to get shows.”