Sunday, January 6, 2008

Away From Eden returns to scene

By Katie Libecco

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YOUNGSTOWN – A few months ago, Away From Eden wasn't sure if they'd ever play as a band again.

Now, they're gearing up for a Jan. 11 show at Barley's with APG, The Zenith Groove and Made in Canada.

Lead singer Johnny Grahovac says it started when drummer Mike Ezzo, formerly of local band Urbane, began experiencing vertigo. After trips to doctors and hospitals, Grahovac says "doctors found a cyst filled with fluid on his spinal cord, right by his brain stem."

Ezzo says the condition is called a Chiari 1 Malformation, which he was born with. It produced side effects like vertigo and sleep apneia as fluid built up in his spinal cord.

The band had just started to play out, just started to get their name out. Then, it was all put on the line when Ezzo went into surgery and was told he may never play again.

"The doctors told me the symptoms prior weren't reversible. They said if I didn't have surgery, I could be paralyzed in two years," Ezzo says. "No one knew what would happen after surgery."

Ezzo says the band and their fans have been really supportive of his doctor visits, surgery and recovery.

"At one point, I hear, that it turned from being a band to helping a friend out and helping a friend get through," Ezzo says.

He says he still has pain in his back, but he's trying to keep positive about his recovery and has good days and bad days. He says he's excited to be walking. He's also returned to work with DHL, a shipping company.

Away From Eden's last on-stage appearance, other than Grahovac's solo acoustic performance at Barleys Dec. 23, was at the Canfield Fair Battle of the Bands. While Ezzo couldn't play, the rest of the band, Lee Liguore and Kirk Vincent on guitars and Lou Liguore on bass, kept writing new music. Ezzo would come and tap out beats on his leg.

"I don't think the band anticipated me playing again like I did. But at our first practice back together, I just got back to playing like I never took a break," Ezzo said.

As Ezzo returns to playing, Grahovac says Away From Eden is trying to pick up where they left off, booking gigs in the area and out of town, starting to record.

"We want to get back out there and play. Everyone has been really supportive about us coming back," Grahovac said.

For instance, the Guitar Center of Boardman has donated a guitar and accessories to be given away at the show. Club South, where Grahovac works, is giving one person at the show a one-year membership. Ezzo says anyone who pays cover at the Jan. 11 show will receive a ticket in the raffle for the items.

The time off from playing, Grahovac says, might have incidentally helped Away From Eden.

"It opened up the eyes of the guys in the band," he says. "They take their roles in the band more seriously."

For himself, Ezzo says the experience has made him appreciate things a little more. He's happy just to be working again, helping to support his wife and four children.

In addition to the Jan. 11 show, keep watch for more bookings and a CD release party in the coming months. Away From Eden is coming back, and coming back big.