Envy on the Coast

by Corey AparLong Island emo-rockers Envy on the Coast formed around friends Brian Byrne (guitar/vocals), Ryan Hunter (vocals/guitar), Jeremy Velardi (bass), and Sal Bossio (piano) under the influence of bands like the Foo Fighters and Queen, though their music was actually more in line with bands like Something Corporate or Saves the Day. The friends had been playing together for a year before drummer Dan Gluszak was welcomed into the fray in January 2005. The crew next hooked up with former Hit Factory producer/engineer Bryan Russell, who offered to work with the guys for free on their first record. Recording began that April, and soon enough, Envy on the Coast's early demos were making believers out of guys like Straylight Run's Will Noon and booking agent Matt Galle (who's worked with Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance), helping the guys get noticed and score choice opening spots for bands like Angels and Airwaves, Hit the Lights, and 30 Seconds to Mars. Envy on the Coast used the shows to spread their name and draw attention to their self-titled debut EP, which was issued in September 2006 through the local indie Photo Finish Records. The album Lucy Gray followed in the summer of 2007.