Ask any unsigned band how easy it is to get together and practice and, chances are, they’ll say it’s difficult.

For Iowa hard rockers Light in the Addict, difficult would be an improvement.

Although a young band, Light in the Addict has been able to accomplish a lot for itself, considering the band has always had to juggle its rock ‘n’ roll indulgence with its members living in different cities and taking part in other endeavors.

“I wouldn’t say we have a hometown; we’re all spread out,” says Matt Bosma, guitarist.

“It’s always kind of been like that.”

The band, conceived almost two years ago, formed from the ashes of already established bands Four Day Mourning and Hessian. Bosma says both bands were already well acquainted, having played shows together.

“It’s not so much that both bands broke up at the same time, it’s more like we broke those bands to do something new,” he says.

In addition to ex-Hessian members Bosma, vocalist Gus Krieger and drummer Joe Strouth, ex-Four Day Mourning bassist Kevin Jacobsma and guitarist Daniel McCarty round out the lineup.

The band members originally kept the name Hessian, but ended up deciding they needed something new. They chose Light in the Addict, meaning for the name to be positive — but that isn’t how people have always interpreted it.

“We needed something more serious,” Bosma says. “It gets misinterpreted a lot — people tend to think it’s a bad thing because it has the word ‘addict’ in it, but it’s actually a metaphor for hope.”

Once the name and lineup had been finalized, the group had the opportunity to record a five-song EP.

“We never had any set plans of doing an album,” Bosma says. “If you want to actually release an album, you want it to look professional, not like a local band.”

Most of the writing was done by Bosma’s bandmates, who were all living in close proximity in northwest Iowa, while Bosma was busy at Iowa State studying management information systems.

“It’s always kind of been like that,” Bosma says. “The other four guys were all up there and they could always be creative. Then I’d go up there and listen to an 8-track recording, then sit down and learn the whole thing in about an hour, and, over time, add my own things.”

Although the band was able to get into the studio this summer and record some new songs, its other commitments have only intensified since Bosma’s graduation last May, forcing the band to go on hiatus. Bosma says none of them are ready to close the book on it, however, and would consider doing the band full-time if they received an offer they could take seriously.

“If something goes our way for once, we’d be willing to go out,” Bosma says. “I’d love to play music, get out on the road and prove yourself — actually do it.”