Band Bayside Releases Fourth Album

The band Bayside has released its fourth album, “The Walking Wounded,” and is now touring the United States with its music as it connects to fans.
The group was initially formed in 2000 as the original band members began to get in contact with one another through message boards. Currently, the only remaining original member is vocalist and guitarist Anthony Raneri, who is from Queens. The other members of Bayside are drummer Chris Guglielma and bassist Nick Ghanbarian of Long Island and guitarist Jack O’Shea of Massachusetts.
While the band was driving to their first show, they still didn’t have a name. They were driving through Bayside and decided to use it as their new band name.
Ghanbarian, who joined the band in 2004, described Bayside’s music as being energetic and alternative with a punk rock sound. Aside from a couple of cover songs they play for fun, the band performs and records its own original music.
Bayside has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally. With the release of “The Walking Wounded” this year, they are now on their first headlining tour. They have performed for crowds as large as 2,000 people.
During their current tour, Bayside is working with the organization To Write Love on Her Arms (www.twloha.com), which is “dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.” The organization sets up at the band’s shows to sell merchandise to raise funds while also increasing awareness about what they do.
About two years ago, Bayside was involved in an accident on the road that resulted in the death of former drummer John “Beatz” Holohan. Ghanbarian said that it has affected the band in that they have developed a positive outlook, trying to find the good out of a bad situation, and now try to send the message that it is possible to get through tough times.
“It certainly made us grow up a little quicker and realize we had to be positive,” Ghanbarian said of the accident.
According to Ghanbarian, what sets Bayside apart from other bands is the connection that they have with their fans.
“We’re always walking around our shows and talking to people, replying to e-mails,” he said. “I think we come from a different school than a lot of other bands.”
Ghanbarian said that one of the highlights of his time with Bayside so far has been playing on the Conan O’Brien show last February when “The Walking Wounded” was first released.
“The fact that we could actually do that was absolutely surreal,” he said.
The main goal for Bayside’s future, Ghanbarian said, is for them to be able to constantly play music for the rest of their lives. He said they love what they do and are going to continue to tour and write more music for more albums.
Bayside will perform at Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey on Saturday, December 8. For more information on Bayside, visit www.myspace.com/bayside.