By Rob N. LeDonne
Ryan Hunter and Sal Bossio may seem like ordinary University freshmen, rolling out of bed early to trudge from their dorm room to class.
But at the same time, they are Envy On The Coast, a successful local band that is quickly gaining a huge following and catching the ear of record executives.
With shaggy black hair, and a tattoo bearing the band’s original name, “Writ In Water,” Hunter looks the part of the lead singer. He’s taken on a role as akind of leader for the band, which also includes Bossio, who plays piano, guitar and occasional vocals, Brian Byrne on guitar, Jeremy (Jer) Velardi on bass, and Dan Gluszak on drums.
Envy On The Coast has gained quite a following, mostly through touring, visiting cities and towns around the country. Recent gigs have included a trip to Pennsylvania and George Washington University, in Washington D.C, with Will Moon the band’s manager and the drummer for fellow Long Island band Straylight Run.
Recently, the band has encountered a lot of publicity, including a piece on them in the latest issue of Alternative Press magazine, first place in Hofstra’s battle of the bands last semester and a coveted spot in this weekend’s Bamboozle music festival in New Jersey. They also scored the same booking agent as Taking Back Sunday and Brand New.
“The best thing about doing music is meeting the absolute coolest people ever” explains Hunter, who adds that there are plenty of shady characters as well. He compares some record companies’ treatment of bands to that of trees in the forest, cutting them down and only leaving stumps.
But the band is in good hands at the moment, with Moon and record producer Brian Russell, who has also worked with Coldplay and The Rolling Stones. They have thousands of fans on their MySpace (myspace.com/envyonthecoastny), whom Hunter gushes over. “Our fans are the greatest” he explains, adding that some go to amazing lengths to see them perform, “including driving for hours.” The internet has been a great tool for their success, with songs and pictures posted on their official website (envyonthecoast.com), and Pure Volume site.
This weekend they are performing at The Bamboozle, which Hunter describes as the “Super Bowl of punk.”
“It will be amazing hanging out with all of our influences” he explains. Bands performing include Circa Survive, Saves the Day, Underoath, Say Anything, Hawthorne Heights, Fall Out Boy and Every Time I Die, among others. Other upcoming gigs include a set right here at Hofstra during a barbeque at common hour on May 10th and a charity show on May 21st in Brooklyn.
As for Hunter, he prides himself on writing songs with meaning, including one about paralyzed Hofstra student Andrew Ecker, and likes bands that have “something to say.” With a summer tour on the way, and probably many more eye opening experiences to come, they will most likely to have plenty to say soon enough.
Local band “Envy on the Coast.”