So I ended up interviewing Bryce Avary in New York, instead of Philadelphia. This is because Bryce of The Rocket Summer was invited to play a radio show with Good Charlotte, Avril Lavigne, and... Rhianna (seriously). He was late for his interview, but after a flight to & from Texas in 24 hours, I let it slide this time around.
But, if you haven't heard of The Rocket Summer it's a one man band that is sugary pop rock, with a piano and alot of energy. Bryce has been at it for a while now, since he was 15 years old. He ended up doing it all his own because he could never find a permanent band. He currently has a very permanent band, "We did all these hot shot try outs in Hollywood, and all these like 'names' tried out. So I just ended up hiring all my best friends."
"I didn't want it to be just "Bryce Avary... Hey, I'm going to the Bryce Avary Show. Oh, did you get a Bryce Avary shirt? Yea, it just doesn't sound right," he says, and he opted for The Rocket Summer, after a Ray Bradbury book.
He's got a smile that'll make girls swoon and blonde hair that matches his persona to a tee, but Bryce is 25 and married, his wife actually does merch for them. Another thing that sets him apart from most frontmen is his strong religious beliefs. "I went through some really really dark things that no one knows about, and everyone always thinks I'm always so happy, but I feel like God pulled me out of a sinking ship." You can here the religious undertones in several of his songs.
"If you're not a rock star by February, you're out of the house." They never kicked him out. His parents were a little worried, when Bryce decided not to go to college, but still very supportive.
Bryce's favorite tours were with Relient K and Hellogoodbye. Bryce also loves the atmosphere of Warped Tour, expecting it to be a bunch of mohawks he's surprised at how "scene" it is. Hey, his words, not mine. The Rocket Summer has been on some excellent tours, and I never set out to see him, especially so many times now, (he asked me where I’m actually from, he’s not used to seeing me in NY) but once he's on stage you have to watch. He really pulls you in, and is so genuinely cute with all his enthusiasm. [CO]