In 1994, a group of high school friends formed a band in California called Kara’s Flowers. PJ, Mickey, Ryan, Sam, Adam, and Jesse did what all young bands did: they struggled. The band released an independent album called We Like Digging?, and then they signed to Reprise Records and released another record. But their major label debut had a tepid response so the label dropped the band and the members focused on college.
In 2001, however, they re-emerged—this time as Maroon 5—signing with Octone Records and going on to become one of the biggest bands on the planet.
“Ryan” was Ryan Dusick, who played drums with the band from its inception in 1994 until 2003, when he left—allegedly—due to injuries dating back to playing high school baseball and from the wear and tear of playing drums.
It was not an easy departure. As Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine said in a 2006 interview, Dusick’s departure was, “a very difficult and emotional time,” for the band.
>But there was more going on with Dusick than just injury. He ran into problems with anxiety, alcoholism and more, all of which he discusses candidly in his new memoir, Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery.
Dusick joined us recently on The Load Out Music Podcast to discuss his memoir, painting an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at his journey from the highs of international superstardom to the depths of addiction, anxiety, chronic injury and depression.
Dusick’s new book chronicles his recovery and transition from the music industry to professional counseling—he’s now an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist with an MA in Clinical Psychology—where he’s helped hundreds of clients overcome mental and physical health challenges.
During our conversation, Dusick talks about the band’s experiences going from local unknowns to signing with Octone (part of Universal Music Group/Interscope Geffen A&M) and J Records (Sony); the highs and lows of life on the road; achieving worldwide success and then losing it all; and how it shaped him as a man, musician, a mental health advocate, and more.
So sit back and enjoy a great conversation with Maroon 5 founding drummer Ryan Dusick on The Load Out Music Podcast.