Envy On The Coast's Brian Byrne on Long Island favorites & more
A little over a year after Envy On The Coast played its first show in July 2005, the Long Island band was the first artist to have music released by famed booking agent Matt Galle's label Photo Finish Records. Shortly after this, Envy On The Coast was on the road with 30 Seconds To Mars, Angels And Airwaves, and Saosin. The band's debut full-length, Lucy Gray, came out in August 2017 and led to touring alongside Underoath, Thursday, 30 Seconds To Mars and The Receiving End Of Sirens. Lowcountry, the second full-length by Envy On The Coast, saw the group hit the road alongside Taking Back Sunday, The Fall Of Troy and Twin Atlantic. A hiatus was announced in July 2010 as three "farewell" shows were played in August 2010.
Brian Byrne and Ryan Hunter wasted no time in making new music after Envy On The Coast went away. The two had a band called NK with members from The Rivalry and Dillinger Escape Plan along for the ride. Hunter also had a project under the name 1ST VOWS while Byrne recorded as The Hand That Wields It. The two announced a regrouping of Envy On The Coast in May 2016 with dates following a few months later. A proper headlining tour followed earlier this year, as did the first new music in seven years, the Ritual EP.
For No Place Like Long Island, I had the pleasure of doing some Q&A with Byrne about his L.I. roots. The Locust Valley native and crew can be visited online at www.envyonthecoast.com.
Are you still a Long Island-based band?
Brian Byrne: Technically, yes.
What is it that keeps you based on Long Island? Is a lot of your family still around here?
Brian Byrne: Ryan lives in California but he still has family here. My family is here as well.
Where was the first gig you ever played on the Island?
Brian Byrne: My first gig ever was playing covers in a gazebo during a Memorial Day parade in my hometown when I was 15.
Where did you initially rehearse? A studio? At someone in the band's house?
Brian Byrne: Initially, we rehearsed at our first guitarist's house but eventually moved to a studio once his parents got tired of us making noise and eating their food. We moved rehearsal spaces a lot from Massapequa, to Amityville, before finding a super-sweet spot in Oceanside that we had for about a year and a half.
Do you have a favorite concert venue on Long Island?
Brian Byrne: The Paramount Theater in Huntington is one of the most beautiful venues in the country. Truly a pleasure to play there.
Do you have a favorite restaurant on the Island?
Brian Byrne: The Purple Elephant in Centerport has a special place in my heart because their vegan/vegetarian selection is great and everything is super-fresh. I know Ryan also digs Snaps in Wantagh, they never disappoint.
