Envy Plays On, Minus Singer

Envy on the Coast at the Crazy Donkey, Nov. 5, 2007

Envy on the Coast at the Crazy Donkey on Nov. 5, 2007, sans lead singer Ryan Hunter. Photo by Tara Quealy.

By Chelsie Friedman

Wait, so you’re saying Envy on the Coast actually played a show without lead singer Ryan Hunter? That’s right. With only a couple dates left on the Saosin tour and a week of upcoming college shows, Hunter felt that after struggling so much through the set at the Saints and Sinners Festival, he needed to see a doctor. As is turns out, Hunter burst a blood vessel in his throat and isn’t allowed to talk for eight full days; and that obviously meant no more shows.

Fans quickly flooded Envy’s Myspace with “feel better” comments, in hopes of eliciting a magical recovery of some sort, and with good reason. The first show to be cancelled was the Long Island show at the Crazy Donkey on Monday, November 5th. Envy posted a bulletin early in the day explaining the cancellation, and then only a couple of hours later posted another, explaining that they were going to be playing an instrumental set instead. Envy explained that they just couldn’t cancel the Long Island show, that it just “didn’t feel right.”

I have to admit it was weird to watch Envy on the Coast with only four members on stage. As they walked on, Brian Byrne (guitar/vocals) took what would have been Hunter’s microphone, turned it around to face the audience, and hoped for the best. And though I’m not quite sure what Envy on the Coast was expecting, their fans certainly delivered. Hands flew in the air as the devoted Envy followers yelled back every word to every song; it was as if Hunter was on the stage himself. And you could tell the band was impressed. With every song, they played a little harder as looks of amazement graced their faces throughout the thirty-minute set. As per usual, a “one more song” chant was started but there just wasn’t enough time, as Byrne pointed to his wrist to the fans, hungry for more songs to sing along to.

But don’t worry eager Envy fans, Envy on the Coast will be doing a holiday tour and are coming back to headline the Crazy Donkey on December 29th, lead singer and all.