Johnny Grahovac (Johnny G.), the lead singer for Away From Eden came to Halloween dressed like a rock star, with tight pants, no shirt, a feather boa and a huge black wig. He could have skipped the outfit. He is tall and thin (think Steven Tyler’s torso) and handsome, and looks like a rock star all the time. He even plays guitar like Elvis, which is occasionally, mostly for effect.

Bassist Lou Liguore dressed like Bruce Springsteen for the event, with a red bandanna and sleeveless denim shirt, but he didn’t quite pull off the look. He is so big and muscular, he looked more like The Hulk breaking out of his clothes.

Costumes aside, Away From Eden looked unusual in another way: with Liguore, Grahovac, lead  guitarist John Johnson and rhythm guitarist Lee Liguore standing side by side across the front of the stage presenting a solid wall of strings, drummer Mike Ezzo in the back was heard, but not seen.

Formed a little more than two years ago, this Youngstown progressive, alternative pop rock band based their name on the psychological, rather than religious symbolism of the Garden of Eden, and they are seeking an unrestricted course, true to their motto: “Music is our passion and our gift to you.”

Their lyrics are thoughtful, and Johnny G. delivers the vocals with accuracy and passion, on both rocking original songs like Wicked Girl and the soulful ballad, When You Cry. Though watching them play looks like guitar overkill, their sound is practically symphonic, and each part seems integral.

Backup vocals by the Liguore brothers add significant depth and interest, and their songs’ heavy chord progressions have a metal edge, offset by touches of subtlety.

In short, Away From Eden really does look like a rock star band.