Bands break up for all kinds of reasons. Some call it quits due to a lack of fan support, feuding or because of a death of one of the members. Ames resident ska band, Mediocre Superheroes, on the other hand, have decided to end their three-year run because of the different directions many of the members are taking.

Following in the foot steps of Grubby Ernie, Mr. Plow and 35″ Mudder, the Mediocre Superheroes have become the fourth local band to break up in recent history.

“Everybody’s kind of moving on and doing something different,” frontman Brandon Boelman-Dunar said.

In fact, both Dunar and Jason Lippard, saxophone, are graduating at the end of the year, and Jim Schloemer, trumpet, will be studying abroad next year and is currently involved with another local band, dead by Wednesday. Schloemer was also the brainchild of the Saturdays Rock series, which started several weeks ago at the Boheme.

“It was kind of inevitable,” Schloemer said. “It’s just one of those things where we have to split up.”

He said that with all that is going on in his life right now, his priorities have shifted somewhat.

“For me, it’s been one of those things where it comes time to choose, where something’s got to give,” Schloemer added. “And as much as I didn’t want to give anything, [Superheroes] was the most logical thing for me to [let go].

He was quick to add, though, that there are no hard feelings among the members. “Everybody’s cool with everybody else.”

Everyone in the band agrees that they will all miss being able to play together.

“It’s been a hard realization, for me personally and I know for some of the other guys, too, that this is all coming to a close,” Dunar said. “We’ve been together a little over three years now, and with that much time together with a group of people, they kind of become your family.”

Dunar went on to say that over the years, the Superheroes have had a lot of accomplishments that he will always remember.

The Superheroes have toured all over the Midwest to places like Chicago, Madison, Wisc. and St. Louis. In 1999, their song “42” spent some time at the number one spot on MP3.com’s ska charts for the most downloads. The group has recorded two full-length albums and appeared on two compilation CDs. But probably their greatest accomplishment has been being able to play with other, more well-known bands such as MU330 and Johnny Socko.

“It’s fun being able to play with regional groups that are at the top of the [ska] genre,” Lippard said. “And we got to get into the shows for free and hang out with the guys from the band.”

“Every time we’ve opened for [MU330], it’s just been a blast,” Schloemer added. “We’ve had some really good, quality relationships with a lot of actual national ska bands. It’s kind of too bad we can’t continue, but we’ve really enjoyed doing it.”

Yet, even with the split of the Mediocre Superheroes, everyone says they are likely to continue playing music in one form or another, and there is talk among a few of the members to create a more rock or punk band from the ashes of the Superheroes.

According to Schloemer, the band had officially called it quits around March 28.

But before all is said and done, the Superheroes will give one last performance at the Boheme on April 29. The show is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will run until about 9. The Superheroes are working on lining up one or two other bands to play in the show. Dunar and Schloemer both said Pookey Bleum is one likely option.

“It’s kind of hard to say that this is our last show, so we’re calling it `The Big Show’ and everybody can still smile about that,” Dunar said.

“I’ve still got hundreds of copies [our `Deathtrap Dilemma’ CD] in my basement,” he added jokingly. “That’s why we’re having this big show, so we can sell a bunch of stuff.”

“I hope that people who have seen us in the past will come out and see us again,” Lippard added. “We’ll try to have as much fun as we can.”

“It’s a lot of fun spending time with those guys,” Schloemer said. “It’s been a really great ride. I’ve loved every minute of it.”