Time Spent Burning moved from Las Vegas to Southern California so more people could hear them. They found their listeners - and unexpected personal growth.

The band left Las Vegas over a year ago with their instruments, wives, kids and little cash. They have since settled in Riverside and Orange County, family lives intact, and their band has never been more popular.

"[The move] has definitely been hard, but it has really matured us," said Cody Cloe, the band's singer. Their recent exodus from the desert has been a period of growth, he added.

"There isn't much of a music scene in Vegas," said Cloe. "[California] in general was where we needed to be to make a career out of what we love doing."

Time Spent Burning has played with notable bands, such as POD and the Killers, and for large audiences at the House of Blues and the Hard Rock Hotel. KROQ has played them and they have difficulty keeping up with the demand for their CDs.

All members of the band found the move hard but ultimately for the better. "It has really matured us...in [respect to] the music business," said Cloe. "We are all very happy about the decision to relocate."

They now have an abundance of open ears eager to listen to them. Their greatest difficulty now is finding the time to dedicate to the band.

"[We] are working hard to support our families and pursue our musical career," said Cloe. "It can be very physically and emotionally draining at times."

This band has a few advantages over others. "Our biggest advantage is that all of our families are so behind us," said Cloe. "This is very rare."

Steve Steward thinks the fact that they are a Christian band gives them a leg up. "There's a whole other market that we can appeal to," he said. "On the other end, we have no problems fitting in musically with non-Christian bands."

While many Christian bands distance themselves from the secular music scene, Time Spent Burning tries to bridge the gap. "Just 'cause we're Christians doesn't mean that we're not in the world with everyone else," said Steward. "Jesus chilled with the worst of the worst; we just play shows with cool bands."

Time Spent Burning began when two old California friends lost contact. Years later they moved to Las Vegas and met up coincidentally. Tony Aiello and Johnny Vasquez decided they would not lose touch again, so they started a band.

Cloe met the pair at his church and joined their band shortly after. "By the time we were done [with our first rehearsal], we walked out of the studio and there was an audience of people waiting for us outside to ask us the name of our band," said Cloe.

Steward joined shortly after the band came to California. "We played with a few different bass players...but it never felt like it was the right fit until we...met Steve," said Cloe. The four men have been playing together for over a year.

"We would like to be able to make a career out of what we love doing," said Cloe of Time Spent Burning's future plans. "Being stuck in an office the rest of our lives would kill us."

The members of Time Spent Burning hope to positively influence their listeners. "We want to be able to put something out there that...offers hope to people who feel like there's nothing worth living for."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/timespentburning or www.timespentburning.com. Comments or Questions about this piece? Go to: Temecula Valley News