Forming in 2001, Leo's powerful sound has caught on quickly. In their first few years, they have had the fortune of opening for national acts Hoobastank, Dave Navarro, The Calling, Greenwheel, Stroke 9, Tantric, American Hi-Fi, Puddle of Mud, Eve 6, Ra, Flaw, Flickerstick, Rainer Maria, Jimmy Eat World, and Revis Ð winning over droves of new fans during each appearance.
Frontman Ian Eddy credits the early success to a large amount of regional touring and word-of-mouth, saying that fans and fellow musicians have created an amazing grassroots following for the band. Leo has gained an upstanding reputation for their energetic live shows and beautiful music.
Leo's sound can be described as heavy, yet melodic. Think Ours, with hints of Jeff Buckley, Muse, Remy Zero, and Radiohead. They incorporate crushing guitar riffs with angelic vocals, creating music that fans describe as "emotional, addicting, and inspiring."
In the four years before forming Leo, Eddy, Brandon Lozano, Daniel Griffith, and Chad Szeliga had toured individually with Cleveland-based Cows in the Graveyard, Starfire Common Wealth, Tender Blindspot, and The Champion Bubblers.
Leo can be heard on Cleveland's 92.3, 88.7, 91.1, as well as ClevelandHits.com, WDUBradio.com, and Cornerband.com. They are also the Budweiser True Music sponsored band in their region.
In 2004, Leo finished demo work with well-known producer Malcolm Springer (Greenwheel, Full Devil Jacket, Mesh, Mile, Spike 1000, Liquid Gang), and they are currently working on their first full-length independent release.
------------------------------------------------------------
IAN
Ian was born in Oberlin, Ohio to two aspiring musicians. Liam Eddy and Linda Chaffin. Ian was exposed to music from a very early age. He first performed on stage at the age of three, singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" at his mother's open mic show. This open mic show was at the Birch Mir, in Washington DC.
Ian experienced the trials of a struggling musician many times as a small boy when his parent used to take him to their gigs because they could not afford a babysitter. He spent most of his time conning quarters out of the barmaids so he could play video games.
He didn't pursue his own musical talent until he was in the 9th grade. A friend convinced him to try out for a school musical "Grease." At this time he was attending Arcadia Valley High School, in Ironton Missouri. He had a medium size role in the play and had two solos. When people started telling Ian how good he was, he instantly decided to become an actor. Shortly after the musical a few guys from his high school asked him to join their band as the singer. It was then that Ian decided he wanted to pursue music instead of acting. The band never had a gig, but they practiced often.
Ian decided to move back to Cleveland to live with his father, so that he could pursue his musical career at the Cleveland School for the Arts, where he started as a junior. On the second day of school he met another musician, named Daniel. Ian was inspired by his skills. Daniel was only a year older than Ian, but sounded like he had been playing since the day he was born. Neither of them knew that ten years later they would be together in the same band, showcasing for major labels.
Brandon, Stephen, and Ian all met around the same time in 1999. Ian was in Cows in the Graveyard, Brandon in Tender Blindspot, and Stephen in Checker. In unique timing, Cows and Tender Blindspot ended around the same time. Ian and Brandon talked about starting a band together, but it was Will Sperdute the drummer for Cows in the Graveyard who put it together, because he was starting a new band as well. This new unit was called the Bush League Allstars, with Brandon on guitar, Ian on bass and vocals, Will on drums, and Ryan on Guitar and Vocals.
After a few practices and one gig at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Hts. Ohio. Ryan quit, followed by Will. Ian and Brandon recruited Stephen Nicholson for the Drum spot. Ian decided that since there was a guitar spot open, he would go back to his first love and play the guitar again. Brandon's friend Omar filled the bass spot. This was the beginning of the band, LEO.
-------------------------------------------------------------
BRANDON
Brandon Lozano was introduced to music at an early age. His father was an aspiring musician himself and also worked in the record business. Brandon's father bought him a guitar when he was very young, but he did not seriously pursue it until the age of 15. At first he was heavily influenced by Punk Rock, then became interested in emo and indie rock, which was big in the underground scene.
Having many friends in bands, Brandon decided to start his own. It was a heavy-metal band and he was the lead singer. Eventually the band dissolved, but Brandon's musical career was just getting started. His next venture was the Starfire Common Wealth, where he sang and played guitar. In this band he earned opening slots with some up and coming bands, such as Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Samiam, Sensefield, and At The Drive-In.
Brandon's ambition exceeded his bandmates, so he decided to join forces with an up and coming Cleveland band called Tender Blindspot. In this band he played bass. He was learning a lot about the business, and was also becoming a well-rounded musician, playing the drums, bass, guitar, and singing. However, there was still something missing.
His love for music wasn't just in playing it, he wanted to write as well, but he was the new comer to Tender Blindspot, and it seemed that the guitar player of the band already had a monopoly on the song writing. In his last two weeks with the band, two things happened. He jammed with another aspiring singer songwriter, Ian Eddy, and then he moved to Buffalo, New York.
The whole time Brandon was in Buffalo, he kept thinking about the songs he had played with Ian. He knew that he and Ian had mutual respect for each other's talent, and felt that he may have made a mistake by moving to Buffalo. Within a week (or so) Brandon decided to move back to Cleveland, and he and Ian started jamming with Wil (formerly of Cows in the Graveyard) playing drums, and guitarist Ryan, (formerly of Three Penny Pussy). This new unit would eventually evolve into the band known as LEO.
------------------------------------------------------------
DANIEL
Daniel Griffith was born in Cleveland Ohio. As a boy his parents noticed he was very talented in the arts, and enrolled him in the Cleveland School of the Arts. At first he started out as a drama major. He continued as a drama major throughout grammar school. It wasn't until High School that Daniel discovered his passion for playing music.
The Cleveland School of the Arts music program excelled in the jazz, R&B, and Gospel departments. This allowed Daniel to attain a wealth of knowledge for his soulful bass style. As one of the Cleveland School of the Arts, finest musicians, Daniel won numerous awards for his musicianship, including best bass solo (five years in a row) at the Tri-C Jazz Fest. This honor was only awarded to one bass player out of all the schools that competed. Daniel won it every year that he competed.
Daniel played his first professional gig at the age of 17 with a local reggae band. This proved to be a much better paying job than any other kind of job you could get at the age of 17. So while still in High School, Daniel started to freelance his skills to several local bands. His most successful project had been the Champion Bubblers, a local reggae band that has opened for many National and International bands, such as Jimmy Buffet, Barry Manalow, Dudley Moure, Burning Spear, 4 Tops, Steal Pulse, No Doubt, Mustard Plug, and many more.
Back in his senior year at Cleveland School of the Arts, Daniel met future band mate Ian Eddy, who was also an aspiring musician. Ian used to visit Daniel in the practice rooms and try to absorb the knowledge and skill of his more seasoned colleague.
Leo official site: http://www.leotheband.com
|
