Jim Lostetter's Bio
In 1975 I was 4 years old, and my brother brought home the album 'KISS Alive' - that's all it took. I would beat on pails and run around the house with a tennis racquet for a guitar - drove my parents crazy I'm sure - little did they (or I) know it would become my career.
My mother soon realized I was musically inclined, and at the age of 5, started me on piano lessons. When I turned 9, I took up the violin, and at 13, switched over to the string bass - it was always the best part of going to school for me.
My orchestra teacher, Edward Reich, saw something in me from our first meeting, and always spent extra time, making sure I was understanding everything he was teaching - I guess I was his 'star student'. He was my music teacher from 4th grade until I graduated - every school day for 9 years. He was definitely the biggest influence on me - without him, I would've never done anything musically - THANK YOU Mr. Reich !!!
It wasn't long before I had my own guitar, and started to study music theory. I would play that thing for hours and hours everyday - I was determined to be good. Since I was already playing string bass in the school orchestra, I got myself a bass guitar. My abilities to read music fluently allowed me to progress with my guitar/bass playing quickly, and it wasn't long before I got into my first rock band situation.
I think I was about 15 at my first real gig - would've been around Autumn 1986. My high school band (Panic) ended up playing all over southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois, eventually moving us out to Los Angeles in March 1989 to try and make it big. We played all the 'Sunset Strip' clubs and had way too much fun, but didn't really get anywhere in the industry - I think we learned alot about people and the world though, and what 'not' to do.
That band broke up, and I returned to Wisconsin in April 1991 only to discover that there was nothing there for me anymore. My passion for playing outweighed everything else in my life - I had to get out of there and do something with my bass playing, and I'm so happy that I did.
The guitarist from my high school band had gotten something going here in Denver, and immediately called me to fill the bassist position. I put in my 2 weeks notice at my job, and in February 1992, moved myself to Aurora. That band (Isis Burning) got rolling, and played all over town - we couldn't keep a good singer, and in December 1994, all went our separate ways.
It was May 1995 when I found out about the bass position being open for Caught in the Act. I met up with Danny, and auditioned for the band - I was asked to join the next day. I was finally on my way to doing something truly professional.
That band (which changed its name to Guild of Ages) recorded 5 studio albums, a live album, played all over the states, and toured Europe twice. We had a good run, but all things come to an end, and the band broke up in June 2002.
A month later, the band Russia was losing their bassist, and I was asked to replace him. I jumped on board, and played with them for almost 3 full years before that band finally came to an end. I made sure everyone around town knew I would be available for work.
I came home one night after a gig in January 2005, and Ty was waiting outside my residence. He was wondering if I would be interested in filling the soon to be open bass position in Five13. I'm all about playing music, and had no problem giving him an immediate 'yes' - in March 2005 I became the bassist for five13 - that brings us to the present date.
For me, music is my religion, and I wouldn't know what to do with myself without it - it is who and what I am. I'd like to thank my Father and Mother for putting up with me, and my 'volume' for all those years growing up. I know they're proud of me for my accomplishments - I could've never done any of this without them and their support. I can still hear them yelling at me to "turn it down".