Touring around the country in a van they claim used to be owned by “a school for retardation,” Sparechange00 are no strangers to the ups and downs of the rock `n’ roll lifestyle.

The last time Sparechange00 found itself playing in Iowa, it was in a rather uncomfortable position with its record label at the time, former Blink-182 label, Cargo Records.

On its most recent release, “Fifty Thousand Moments,” Sparechange00 had broadened its musical range, throwing both strings and piano into the mix. Following the completion of the album, Cargo decided to remove both before the release of the EP.

“They said they didn’t know how to market it,” says guitarist and vocalist Ryan Watts. “I can’t really see us going that route again with as much instrumentation, but I really wish those songs would have come out. They were more dynamic, and I think easier to feel.”

Sparechange00 has since left Cargo in pursuit of a label that won’t inhibit its musical growth.

“Blink-182 was on Cargo, but it was more like Cargo was on Blink-182,” Watts explains.

Having grown up together in Canton, Ohio, Sparechange00 is a tight group of guys, both on the stage and off. Upon meeting in fourth grade detention, Watts and drummer Brian Knotts quickly bonded.

In seventh grade, the two troublemakers met bassist Don Sedlock, rounding out the trio of best friends turned band mates.

The friendship continued throughout high school, where the three men were seduced by the musical world.

“Green Day came along and inspired our little hearts,” Watts explains. “And here we are.”

Sparechange was soon formed. Such a name can be attributed to the boys morning ritual of removing the back seat of Watts’ ’86 Ford Tempo on their way to school to dig for change to buy Mountain Dew out of the soda machines.

The double zeroes came in as an ode to their first fifty fans, who sported green jerseys with `00′ on the back.

“When we were signed to the label and things were changing, we wanted to let people know that we won’t forget where we came from,” Watts says.

While Sedlock describes their sound as “post-pop rock `n’ roll, with a hint of death,” these guys are a far cry from your average punk band.

Citing musical influences ranging from Enya to Poison, Garth Brooks to Jimmy Eat World, Sparechange00’s sound is a genre-crossing blend of rock `n’ roll, rooted in punk.

“We have been compared to everyone from Bon Jovi to Fugazi,” Watts says. “Most of the bands they compare us to I just either have never heard of or don’t even like.”

Sparechange00 is no stranger to hard work, having booked its own shows, distributed its own album and promoted its sound all over the country.

With a new album written, Sparechange00 is ready to keep up the work, and are planning on recording sometime this year.

Locating the right label to put the album out is the only piece of the puzzle yet to fit, and that is a decision it is not taking lightly.

“Now that we are no longer on Cargo Records, I don’t want to be in a position of not being able to make the music we want,” Watts says.

Sparechange00 has played in Iowa four times, once at the M-Shop. Watts insists Iowa is nothing but good times with extremely supportive crowds.

Sparechange00 is scheduled to play Saturday, Feb. 9 at the M-Shop, with fellow Ohio rockers Rod.

Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for non-students.