Next to Fall came about when Crazy John put his drumming skills to Mike's awesome guitar playing at the Maquoketa Valley basketball games. It was here that the two began talk of forming a band of some substance. In the process of puting it together, Mike and John's friend Andy came to them about him playing bass. Learning of Andy's skills, they found time to have a practice with each playing there respective parts. Although not much was accomplished, the beginning of the un-named band had been founded. But John wasn't happy with playing drums for the band, so he stepped out on a limb and secured his place as the lead singer. Great advances were made when the group found drummer BJ and had their first real practice. And it was here that the future of "Next To Fall" was evident.

The band quickly had several follow up practices for several weeks, still without a name. Finally, one day after practice they all sat down and worked on a name. The name Triptin Fell came up when John was talking about a friend of his, and the rest of the guys seemed to like it. A few weeks later, BJ informed the band that they were signed up for a battle of the bands competition that was to take place in Dubuque. Stunned, the band kicked it into high gear for their audition only a week or so away. A few short days before the audition, when the band was sitting around after practice, the subject of a name was addressed again. While everyone was pondering names, John piped up with the words "Next to Fall". Immediately the band fell in love with it. Changing the name just days before the competition, Next to Fall was prepared to take on anyone. Despite the poor turn-out of supporters of Next to Fall, they still got the crowd worked up and formed an awesome mosh pit. Later that night the winners were announced, and taking first in people's choice was... of course, Next to Fall. And now there is much to expect from this small-town-midwest-rock-band.