Band Of The Day Interview – Leaving Eden

Hello everyone and welcome back to the latest segment on the website and that is the Band Of The Day interview. The last interview with Tarah Who? was more fantastic to get us started and I absolutely loved reading that one, I’m going to have have to come back to it as I do with all my interviews because they fill me with so much joy and I hope they bring you, the readers with so much joy as well!

This time around I have the pleasure of hearing from the New England rockers Leaving Eden so without further ado, let’s get them introduced to you!

If could introduce yourselves for us, who are you?

Hi, I’m Eric Gynan, Cofounder of the Rock band Leaving Eden from New England USA.

Leaving Eden Lineup:

Eve Lead (Vocals), Alyssa Bailey White (Keys and Vocals), Jake Gynan (Drums), Eric Gynan (Guitars and Vocals), Rich Chouinard (Bass and Vocals).

How did you all meet?

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.

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 long have you been playing?

For me, since I could walk. We had an organ which I played everyday.

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.

What are your musical influences?

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

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen during a show?

So much. Besides the normal nakedness that shows itself here and there, We were playing at a hemp Fest and everybody was in a circle and people were somewhat naked and painted but this one particular dude we didn’t realize he was completely naked standing right in front of us because it was dark out. Was kind of weird but hey to each his own.

Being away from the stages since last year, where is the one place you’d visit when the restrictions are lifted?

Oh man we have played so many places I think the place that has a lot of character from the past is the Casino ballroom @ Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, where Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin played. 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.

What’s the one record you own but wouldn’t ever admit to owning?

Well I really don’t own any records do all my listening online or through streaming. But maybe it would be hard to imagine that I love listening to the old Bee Gees, before the disco era. My father used to love that and we would listen together. Brings back great memories even from when I was a kid.

What have you been listening in the last few weeks?

I haven’t really had the time to leisurely listen as we’ve been very busy recording a new album and video, a 10 song live album and DVD combo and on YouTube and all those other streaming platforms out there. With that said they’ll put the Alexa on and you’ll hear classic rock stations pretty much.

Are there any releases you have planned in the near future?

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

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?

Who would you describe your rehersals?

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.

Tell us what your favourite 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.

What’s an album that’s has 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 Seethers 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.

What does performing live feel 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?

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.

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’v 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’s your most valued 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’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.

You can visit Eden’s Merch Store via the following link.

Check out the lyric video for ‘Haunting’ below.