~Asbury Park Vibes' Band Of The Week~

January 16, 2021

Hometown: New England, USA

Questions answered by Eric Gynan

YOUR MUSICAL PAST AND PRESENT IN ONE RUN-ON SENTENCE.

Leaving Eden has toured the USA, UK & Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; 10 Years, 10 Years After (Woodstock Reunion), Adelitas Way, Alice Cooper, Alice In Chains, Anthrax, Apocalyptic Review (featuring members of Godsmack), Avenged Sevenfold, Big Brother and The Holding Company (Woodstock Reunion), Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Blackstone Cherry, Bret Michaels, Buckcherry, Chevelle, Collective Soul, Country Joe (Woodstock Reunion), Damage Plan, (Featuring Dimebag & Vinnie Paul) Days Of The New, Disturbed, Dope, Dropkick Murphy's, Drowning Pool, Five Finger Death Punch, Fuel, Gemini Syndrome, Gin Blossoms, Godsmack, Halestorm, HELLYEAH, Herman Rarebell (The Scorpions), Hinder, Hookers & Blow (featuring members of Guns ‘N' Roses, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P.), In This Moment, Jefferson Starship (Woodstock Reunion), Killswitch Engage, Kittie, Korn, Lacuna Coil, LA Guns, Lamb Of God, Lita Ford, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marilyn Manson, Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG & The Scorpions) Motorhead, Mudvayne, Mushroomhead, Napalm Death, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Nonpoint, One Eyed Doll, Papa Roach, Pop Evil, Powerman 5000, Puddle Of Mudd, Queensryche, Ratt, Rob Zombie, Ronnie James Dio, Saliva, Saving Abel, Scott Stapp (the voice of Creed), Sebastian Bach, Seether, Sevendust, Shinedown, Slayer, Soil, Soulfly, Steven Tyler, Stone Sour, Taproot, Ted Nugent, Testament, The Butcher Babies, The Misfits, Theory Of A Deadman, Trapt, Tremonti (Creed/Alterbridge), Trixter, Uncle Kracker, Warrant, ZZ Top, Nickelback, Skillet & many more.

SORRY, BUT WE HAVE TO ASK … WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND YOUR BAND NAME?

So we consider this whole planet the garden of Eden at one point and so with all the deceit and all the corruption wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere else for a little bit, thus Leaving Eden.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO SOMEONE WHO HASN’T YET HEARD YOUR MUSIC?

I think that Leaving Eden Has a quite an eclectic array of musical genres which interweaves throughout our albums. We don’t like to stick to just one thing. We won awards for best metal, best hard-core, yet we have acoustic songs, Pop songs and some really laid-back and mellow songs as well. Leaving Eden‘s songs are lyric driven with much harmony and Melody. Leaving Eden is best seen and heard live.

HOW DID THE STARS ALIGN TO BRING YOU ALL TOGETHER?

Myself and Eve started Leaving Eden. We were also in a band with Rick on bass before Leaving Eden. Jake and Alyssa came later and then Rick joined Leaving Eden as well. Alyssa was out in the audience one night and approached us. I guess the rest is history.

IF BANDS WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A SLOGAN … WHAT WOULD YOUR BAND SLOGAN BE?

Leaving Eden will play anywhere anyhow anyway so long as we can.

A PROJECT YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT YOU’RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

We are working on a live album of our favorite Leaving Eden songs. With about eight albums out there, there’s a lot to choose from.

HOW DOES THE BAND FLESH OUT A SONG FROM START (IDEA IN YOUR HEAD) TO FINISH (RECORDING)?

Typically I connect with the universe get in somewhat of a meditative state and just listen. The songs are always there. I will record scratch tracks with every instrument just to get an idea of what I’m trying to accomplish. And then everybody puts their twist on it and we finally record it in our own studio. Alyssa has co- written a couple songs as well.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE BEST SONG YOU EVER RELEASED, AND WHY?

I think the song out of the ashes is one of my favorites. It’s heavy, got lots of harmony and Melody. I think the lyrics are pretty cool. And most importantly it’s fun to play. You can find that on our out of the ashes album.

PICK ONE WORD THAT BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOUR REHEARSALS ARE LIKE. [YOU CAN ELABORATE IF YOU’D LIKE!]

Typically we have been booked solid so that rehearsals have been at a minimum. When you’re constantly playing out you’re getting rehearsal daily. With that said and now with all these shut downs of course we will get together. We feel that rehearsal is a time for everybody to rehearse what they already have learned. It’s not a time to learn new stuff. That just takes away from everybody else, so everybody learns their parts and then gets together and rehearses. Practice is on your own time.

LET’S GEEK OUT FOR A SECOND … TELL US WHAT YOUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSICAL EQUIPMENT IS RIGHT NOW.

I like the new ProTools and the scarlet interface. As far as recording goes I think they’re very cool. I also like my little classical guitar. It’s so easy to play and you can take it anywhere.

WHICH MUSICIAN OR BAND INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A MUSICIAN?

There’s a lot of those but let’s say Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Disturbed, Seether, Nirvana, got to mention Van Halen.

AN ALBUM THAT’S HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON YOU.

I think Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. My older brother used to listen to that so I would just put my head against the speakers and turn it up to 10. Definitely not a good thing to do but nonetheless I guess I liked it loud.

VOCALIST YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?

I’ve always been amazed by the band Seether's singer. He’s just got such a great tone, great range just the right amount of rasp.

GUITAR SOLO THAT ALWAYS GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS?

Always loved Stairway to Heaven's solo. It blends well and is classic. I always enjoy living in the moment, planning for the future yet keeping an eye on the past

MOST BAD-ASS BASSIST?

Chris Squire from the band, Yes, God rest his soul. Very innovative for his time.

DRUMMER WITH KILLER CHOPS?

Always liked Dave Grohl and John Bonham.

ROLLING STONES OR THE BEATLES?

Both but first in line I’d say the Beatles. Great harmony and songwriting.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-SHOW RITUALS?

It’s always nice to warm up with a single malt scotch on the roxx. If they don’t have that then some nice Kentucky bourbon. It’s a good way to loosen up. We also like to go out and chat it up with the people there.

FUNNIEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE ON STAGE.

I have fallen off the stage before almost breaking my back protecting my guitar. That’s pretty funny right?

IF POSSIBLE, DESCRIBE WHAT PERFORMING LIVE FEELS LIKE FOR YOU.

Well it is my lifeline. Playing a show is better than Christmas for me. It’s exciting and such a sharing of the energy experience. There’s always that slight adrenaline rush even now after thousands of shows. That never changes.

IF YOU WERE SECOND ON A THREE-BAND BILL, WHICH BAND WOULD YOU LOVE TO BE SUPPORTING AND WHICH BAND WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO OPEN FOR YOU? [GOOD CHANCE TO PLUG A NEWER BAND YOU REALLY LIKE]

I’d love to play with Fleetwood Mac and Lindsey Buckingham of course without him I would not be interested. But not just because of the popularity and I’m not saying that I specifically love the band, I really enjoy the harmony and Melody and the craft of their songs written. I got some friends in the band Diamond Edge from New England, really good people, good friends, I can’t say enough about them.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR FANS GET FROM YOUR MUSIC? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE THEM TO KNOW?

Well I believe I said our songs are lyric driven and truly based on reality. Typically, we don’t write about things that do not matter to us. The only reason why we are here is because of our friends who want to listen, so our friends are very important to us new and old.

MOST DON’T ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT THEY REALLY WANT ... CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND VISUALIZE WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR ULTIMATE SUCCESS. WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I think for us, our ultimate success is being able to play shows everywhere. It’s all about performing at the end of the day. It’s sad how musicians cannot work right now. It simply breaks my heart. One must learn that success is what you make it. If you’re not happy doing what you’re doing right now, right here then what makes you think you’ll be happy at any other point? Enjoy the moment. Try not to be a frustrated musician.

ANY MUSIC VIDEOS PLANNED OR IN PRODUCTION? WHAT ARE YOU DETERMINED TO SEE HAPPEN FOR YOUR BAND IN THE NEXT YEAR?

We finished off one album and released it in May 2020 and finished our next album as well. Our next release titled Fable (Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal) Release date: Jan 15, 2021. 

We also Released our album Dream with Me in May, 2020.

We have songs in a lot of movies. Tracks from this album and other Leaving Eden albums will be featured in Massimiliano Cerchi’s movies: Painkiller, Mayday, Lockdown and Penthouse and Bloodthirst starring Michael Pare (The Philadelphia Experiment, Eddie and the Cruisers). Newest movie and song Black Wolf Featured on Leaving Eden Fable Album.

We are excited about this new album also, because the entire album and lots of tunes from our previous albums will also be featured in a new fake reality comedy movie titled “The Nitwit.”

WHAT CONCERT DID YOU ATTEND THAT YOU’LL NEVER, EVER FORGET?

I got to say Black Sabbath where we shared the stage with them was quite surreal. There’s nothing quite like it.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN.

An old wise man by the name of Andino once told me that Familiarity breeds contempt. I never forgot it. And I also have never forgotten where I’ve come from. So let’s say a familiar situation like me taking care of you for a year and providing everything you need then, I suddenly stop for whatever reason.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUED MATERIAL POSSESSION?

Probably any one of my Gibson SG‘s. Some of them I’ve had for a long time.

WHICH OF YOUR BAND MEMBERS:

IS ALWAYS LATE? Me

EATS THE HEALTHIEST? Eve and Alyssa

IS THE PRANKSTER? Me

IS THE TASK MASTER TO GET THINGS DONE? Me

HAS A USELESS TALENT? Me, but I can’t say what it is because people get insulted with simple jokes.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT PLAYING MUSIC, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE TO DO?

I like to relax and party with my friends. I enjoy staying fit. I enjoy taking time to smell the roses so to speak.

BEST BAND NAME YOU EVER HEARD?

Social distortion?

VINYL RECORDS, CASSETTES, CD’s, OR DOWNLOADS?

Cds. We still make CDs ourselves.

WHAT SONG IS AMAZING, YET NOT VERY POPULAR?

Professions of Violence by UFO. There’s a nice simple yet effective guitar solo at the end of the song.

AN ALBUM YOU NEVER GET TIRED OF LISTENING TO.

I’d like to listen to a lot of ELO songs. More so, live videos. They got like 18 people on stage it’s crazy how it all comes together.

WHAT SONG ARE YOU CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH?

John Lennon, working class hero.

WHAT SONG HELPED YOU WHEN YOU WERE HEARTBROKEN?

Chicago, feeling stronger every day.

WHAT ALBUM OR ARTIST DID YOUR PARENTS INTRODUCE YOU TO THAT YOU LOVE?

They used to have an album by the Bee Gees. Not the disco era. Before that when they were more of a folk harmonic band.

WHAT’S YOUR BENCHMARK FOR A GREAT MUSICIAN?

I’ve always been impressed with the musicians that recorded together. Not separately. So back in the day they had everybody playing together and if one person messed up then it would mess up the whole recording so these people have to really be good and efficient.

Asbury Park Vibes is a media publication dedicated to shining a light on the live music scene, as well as promoting the artists we love! We strive to provide show reviews, photographs, and artist stories that bring fans and musicians closer together.

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