EMQ’s With Leaving Eden
EMQ’s With Leaving Eden
Hi Everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Rock Band, Leaving Eden. Huge thanks to their guitarist, Eric Gynan, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hi, and it’s my pleasure to chat with you here. I am Eric Gynan, co-founder of the band Leaving Eden. We are from The Boston Massachusetts area USA. Leaving Eden & Silver Springs Fleetwood Mac Tribute is: (2 different bands with the same members):
Eve Lead vocals
Alyssa Bailey White Keys/Vocals
Jake Gynan Drums
Rich Chouinard Bass/Vocals
Eric Gynan Guitar/Vocals.
I’ve been playing music since I could walk so it’s been my life. We’ve been around the block for a while having a great time touring and making albums.
How did you come up with your band name?
If the entire planet is the Garden of Eden, with all the deceit and corruption wouldn’t it be nice to “Leave” and go somewhere else for a little bit? Thus, Leaving Eden.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from The Boston Massachusetts area USA. Currently we tour up and down the East Coast. We have a blast! I think the scene is what you make it. We make it fun, full of energy sharing that gift of music we all need, together. So, in my eyes I believe it’s thriving. I think we’ve (bands) taken the scene and spread it out, like rust. It’s moved beyond the dark, seedy venues usually in the worst sections of town to the mainstream. Speaking of Seedy venues It reminds me of CBGBs, NY. That place was so dirty and dingy, you definitely wouldn’t want to bring your mom there but it was too fucking cool. Actually, we’ve played in every seedy part of all the major cities in the USA but there’s something to it, it’s very cool in its own dark way.
What is your latest release?
We are excited to say that we just signed a new deal with New England based USA record label Verdict Music/Sony/The Orchard. We have just released a new EP titled “Reflections.”
The theme is about looking back, reflecting on the things that have made you who you are today. The first single off the EP is titled “Dancing By The Fire“
Dancing By The Fire Video By Leaving Eden
We are always touring as well.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Those influences have really changed over the years. Some artists I never cared for later I learned to appreciate the production. Some things you grow out of. Originally, to get me going my older brother, cousins, and friends certainly turned me onto bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath when I was a kid. We do the silver springs, Fleetwood Mac tribute, and I couldn’t stand Fleetwood Mac when I was a kid. But I learned to appreciate their production and their songs because of the intricate Guitar work of Lindsey Buckingham.
What first got you into music?
We always had an organ in the house since I could walk, and I always played that. My great grandfather in Italy, and my great great grandfather in Germany both have their own orchestras. I believe it’s in the blood but it’s also part of being determined to be as good as I can be. And through experience I can say that it’s important to never stop if it’s something you love.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I’m gonna go back to Fleetwood Mac because it would be cool to be playing with Lindsey Buckingham. That’s if he was in the band Fleetwood Mac currently because I don’t think he is right now.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I think the Download fest would be awesome. It’s so big and it is so out of this world in terms of energy.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Eve got a set of black wings made out of real feathers that she could wear. We also got these glass mirrors with Leaving Eden’s image on them. You could hang them on the wall.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Well I consider myself a realist so be real? Good, bad or indifferent, it’s who you are like it or not. Be kind, yes but be real.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Hmmm. How about Elvis? He only had a 22 year career. Wonder what he would’ve recorded or how about John Lennon? I think his career was shorter. But Icons like that makes ya wonder if they had more time would they have come out with much more fantastic stuff.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love seeing old friends ànd making new friends. I love being part of something that brings folks together like music, the universal language. I don’t really hate anything about being a musician but I certainly don’t like the “snakes” out there preying upon folks who are just looking for some success with their careers honestly. Also as a musician, there’s a lot of alone time but I enjoy that. Helps me to connect.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I say this a lot. Radio stations should play more local musicians during Primetime to help promote what’s going on in their own backyards.
Name one of your all-time favorite albums?
Black Sabbath – “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Probably Downloads because anyone can listen to anything they want when they want. Yes it takes a lot to make money for a band without any backing but if your friends are going to buy your album, they can easily download as well.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Leaving Eden has Toured The USA, UK & Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; Lacuna Coil, In This Moment, Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Ronnie James Dio, Rob Zombie, 5 Finger DeathPunch, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZTop, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, Killswitch Engage, Buckcherry (Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Country Joe, 10 Years After, 40th Anniversary Woodstock) Shinedown, Dropkick Murphy’s, Alice in Chains, Papa Roach, Bret Michaels, Halestorm,Theory of a Deadman, Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Hell Yeah, Trapt, Dope, Soil, Fuel, Queensryche, Saving Abel, Hinder, Damage Plan, 7Dust, Sebastian Bach, SoulFly, Days of the New, NonPoint, DrowningPool, The Misfits, The Butcher Babies, Collective Soul, MushroomHead, Mudvayne, Chevelle, Godsmack, Powerman 5000, 10Years, Taproot, Gin Blossoms, Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG & The Scorpions) Herman Rarebell (The Scorpions), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Kittie, One eyed doll, Uncle Kracker, Tremonti (Creed/Alterbridge) Lamb of god, Slayer, Stone Sour, Motorhead, Blackstone Cherry, HOOKERS & BLOW Featuring GUNS N’ ROSES, QUIET RIOT, W.A.S.P. Members, Steven Tyler, Ted Nugent, Lita Ford, LA Guns, Trixter, Warrant, Apocalyptic Review (featuring members of Godsmack) Adelitas Way, Scott Stapp (The voice of Creed), Pop Evil, Ratt & many more, being able to share the stage, watching and learning as well as meeting so many cool people along the way. That’s where it’s at! Probably Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio before he passed.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Good question. I’d be a writer, or a technical person with audio and video.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Probably 5 billionaires where I could get their undecided attention to convince them to spend their money more wisely, to make a bigger difference with the priority being to help those in need. If they can do it, then their pals can do it too. Can’t take it with ya.
What’s next for the band?
We are constantly working on new releases. It appears that releasing albums is becoming a thing of the past. People’s attention spans are getting shorter. This is a natural thing when you’re inundated with so much information. So for us, we release the EP’s and singles. It’s actually kind of cool because you can focus on one thing at a time and really put a lot of effort into that to make it as great as you can so I think it’s a cool thing. We are always touring and looking into serious publishing for movies and series things like that.
Q. What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Social Media
Silver Springs Feetwood Mac Tribute Website
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
I should know this. We were there long enough. I wanna say Muffin but I’m probably wrong. What I heard a lot was “Brilliant, absolutely Brilliant!”.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Well again, ‘twas a pleasure interviewing with y’all! Always hope to be back there soon and peace!
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