There are bands for which the sole purpose is to get signed and make millions. And then there are bands that don’t really have a sole purpose, but they play some music in their spare time, and that’s cool, right?

After spending a few hours with the members of Boone pop-punk band Yesterday’s Stories, it becomes clear they fall into the latter group.

Tonight, two members of the band, bassist Drew Demery and drummer Josh Ladd, both 16, are missing in action. Although Demery has noble reasons, such as being in a night class at Des Moines Area Community College, it’s suspected that Ladd is home playing video games and has forgotten about the interview.

In his absence, lead guitarist and singer Deacon Demery, Drew’s 18-year-old brother, gives some insight as to the whereabouts of Drew, who was allegedly a football star at Boone High School until he took a different turn in life.

“He’s graduating a year early to be a rock star,” Deacon says.

Ahh, yes. If the Demerys’ parents are reading this, they now know their son’s true motives for being extra studious.

One of the sweet things young, aspiring rock stars get to do is record sweet self-released albums on sweet sound equipment in someone’s sweet basement. And if they’re as blessed with good friends as the members of Yesterday’s Stories are, they get to drink beer while doing so. This is the setting of tonight’s rendezvous.

Being a teenage rock star can be quite empowering, as is evident from Deacon’s description of the band’s true frontman, Drew.

“I don’t know what kind of monster takes over him, but he has more stage presence than any of us,” Deacon says. “Drew is just balls-out every time. He’ll get up on top of his amp, which is about as big as him, and he’ll jump off and break something every time.”

Although one might presume a pop-punk band such as this is destined to a lifetime of garage and house shows, Yesterday’s Stories efforts have already gained attention in some noteworthy ways.

In addition to having recorded a demo and wrapping up its first full-length album, the band plays regularly at the Vaudeville Mews, 212 4th St. in Des Moines; House of Bricks, 3839 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines; Bali Satay House, 2424 Lincoln Way; and Boheme Bistro, 2900 West St.

Despite all signs pointing to “no” at times, the band members have high spirits and have shown determination.

“We had a tour set up for this summer, and every show got canceled except for one in Milwaukee,” Deacon says.

“And when we got there, that one got canceled,” adds guitarist/singer Dan Meyers.

The band’s friendships make playing together worthwhile whether success is reached or not. The members first discovered their mutual love for playing music in swing choir and have been playing together ever since.

Of course, relationships of this kind take time.

“We used to think Josh was really annoying and stupid,” Deacon says. “And we still think he’s annoying and stupid, but now he’s our annoying and stupid friend.”

Meyers and Deacon say their younger friend makes up for his immaturity by practicing far more than anyone else in the band.

Over an hour after the interview was set to begin, Ladd walks in. He could easily be mistaken for the kid from “A Christmas Story,” only slightly grown up. The first words out of his mouth confirm this observation.

“So I caught a garter snake in my yard to keep as a pet, and I came home today and it wasn’t there,” Ladd says in a single breath. “So there’s a snake in my home somewhere.”

This is just a short look into the lives of these quasi-ambitious rockers from the town next door.