lead vocals and guitars NAME Rachel Leyco BIOGRAPHY Well... considering your web travels have landed you here at my biography I can only imagine you are slightly curious about me behind the band. Fair enough. I always hoped I would have an elaborate and exhilarating past to share but alas I am simply a girl born and raised in Richmond, VA (more or less Chester, VA -— on an even smaller scale). Hopefully in a few years I’ll acquire a more exciting bio to tantalize readers like you. Until then this is what I have to offer. I honestly believe that the art of music has some sort of genetic correlation to who we become. I hardly remember a time when music didn’t weigh heavy on my mind. From the 1980s when I would blare the Bangles through my prized karaoke machine, to last night playing a show. I’m sure I was born with it. My first instrument of choice was the piano in elementary school and then it slowly became my last instrument of choice. The guitar was my next obstacle to conquer during the seventh grade and it has stuck ever since. In school I wasn’t the best student and I confidently say that now as a college graduate (GO VCU!). In the education realm I am a miracle showing all others that anyone can graduate from college. Otherwise I was never in the popular crowd, never among the highly intelligent, and would pride myself in eating lunch alone (often times). So while adolescence reared its ugly head at me and others around I found an outlet —- writing and music. Putting the two together and sharing it on stage with the listeners is like therapy for me. A cheap form of therapy. The lyrics are derived directly from my little journals and scribbles in the margins of papers around me. It all just comes together. When the band formed in 2000 I felt like music as a profession began for me. My biggest fear in life is having regrets and I hardly have those with my experiences in music. From middle school to present tense I have learned so much. I’ve met countless people, traveled out west and down south, sat in a record executive’s office, signed autographs, did interviews, recorded two albums, been endorsed as a guitarist, shared the stage with two talented boys, and can’t say I have any regrets at all. In whatever down time I can savor I enjoy the significant other, family and friends, traveling, shopping, surfing, biking, my dog, and an occasional movie here and there. Your interest in the band is much appreciated and I look forward to sharing a therapy session with you soon! Rachel THE iPOD SPINS: Rachael Yamagata, Postal Service, Guster, Jem, Ani DiFranco, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, James Blunt, Etta James, Garden State Soundtrack, Aqualung, Ben Folds, Alanis, Gavin Degraw, Poe, Tegan and Sara Frou Frou, Ray LaMontagne, and it goes on…and on… and on… EQUIPMENT strings: Rachel happily endorses Elixir guitar strings. amp: Fender Ultimate Stereo Chorus DSP (2x12) electric guitars: Fender Vintage Stratocaster, PRS Santana SE, Squier Fender Venus acoustic guitar: Taylor 312ce Acoustic-Electric accessories: Dunlop picks and accessories, Fender PT-10 Chromatic Pedal Tuner, Kyser capos Please visit: www.greenpeaceusa.org