Backstage Pass

    In the months following the release of Envy on the Coast’s impressive “Lucy Gray” album, singer Ryan Hunter has been balancing the thrilling firsts that come with a debut with a series of mysterious health problems that he only recently feels have finally worked out.
    Hunter’s vocal problems started in July, when the Long Island band was on tour with The Sleeping. He was diagnosed with severe acid reflux and given a number of medications which worked well enough that he was able to complete the tour.
    However, after the band completed its Warped Tour stint, his condition started to erode again and the medications were no longer working, as the band toured with Saosin.
    “I became so paranoid about things without knowing I was being paranoid,” Hunter said. “You almost forget how to sing. You become so nervous and stricken with stress because of what’s going on. You kind of get locked inside your head. I didn’t even realize I was doing it.”
    The problem snowballed to the point that Hunter became unable to sing and had to cancel several shows. The last time Envy on the Coast played the Crazy Donkey, Hunter had to watch from the audience.
    It was an evening of mixed emotions. “Not too many people get that perspective to get to see your own band play,” Hunter said. “It was pretty cool to see, but it was absolutely surreal to watch all these kids covering my ass and singing for me.”
    On Saturday, Hunter will get to repay them all by taking the stage once again, now that problems with his voice are under control. “I’m in a totally different state of mind than I was four weeks ago and I’m feeling great rehearsing,” he said.