Since launching his career as a 16-year-old with the independently released The Rocket Summer EP, a name he took from a Ray Bradbury short story, Bryce has toured around the world, selling out venues not just in the US, but Canada, the UK, Australia, and Japan, while playing such noted events as UK’s Glastonbury Festival, Scotland’s T in the Park, Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival, Australia’s Soundwave Festival, Austin City Limits, SXSW, Bamboozle, Cornerstone and the 2007 and 2010 Vans Warped Tour. “I try to write songs the whole world would want to sing along to but I also want to make an album of genuine and honest songs written from my heart that musically and lyrically are better than anything I have done before and above all will be an album that would hopefully move and affect people. For me it's all about focusing everything you have on making the greatest music you can without banking on anything else. I'm grateful to be doing this and I want to do this for the right reasons."
For someone as spiritually motivated as Avary, that means he focuses on the struggles and victories of life’s often-challenging journey in his most recent release on Island Def Jam Records titled Of Men and Angels as well as on the current album he is recording. Of Men and Angels was release in February 2010, and debuted as the No.1 Album on iTunes surpassing The Black Eyed Peas’ The E.N.D., which had previously held the No.1 spot for Top Album. The album debuted #38 on the Billboard 200 and # 4 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums charts. This is just one instance of how Avary’s loyal hardcore fan base has supported The Rocket Summer throughout the years. This also explains the kind of viral following that turned the video for “Do You Feel” into an Internet phenomenon. With guest appearances by Paramore, Relient K, All Time Low, Jack’s Mannequin, Forever the Sickest Kids, MxPx, Hellogoodbye, the music video led to the album version of the song being played more than 4 million times on The Rocket Summer’s My Space site. The album Do You Feel hit #44 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums charts and has sold over 100,000 copies in the US alone. “We’re definitely aware of the kind of connection we have with our fans and I’m just fortunate to be a part of it.”
His albums and live shows are all about positivity, optimism, sing-a-longs, excitement, and overcoming our struggles. The Rocket Summer has toured with The Goo Goo Dolls, OneRepublic, Paramore, Relient K, The All-American Rejects, Copeland, All Time Low, The Ataris, Something Corporate, Plain White T’s, Hellogoodbye, Phantom Planet & many others.
“I like the term ‘young veteran,’” says Avary. “We have this loyal, hardcore following and I couldn't be more grateful for this. I keep pushing myself forward, trying to make great records, trying to put on the best live performance I can, all the while expanding The Rocket Summer to as far as it can be taken.”
Official website: http://www.therocketsummer.com/
Brat Pack
The Rocket Summer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's so much I just want to get out
Since graduation was long ago
Please somebody get me out of this hole
Cause I don't want to get stuck in here
When I am thirty-four just talking about high school years
No I don't want to be there an I feel so stuck right here
Back and forth side to side oh my dear
Where I can kick it with friends through the night
A place well talk about now and the past what the future holds
Hanging out with not much to do
Just aimless with each other is what we do
Cause this ain't where it's at
My friends will second that
And I gotta admit sometimes it's pretty sad
But its like were our own brat pack
Were always kickin' back nobody can take that
That is that it's like its all we have
Whoo whoo ya oh come on
Say oh oh get on the floor
Dance till you got no more
I know its there somewhere
Don't worry ill be there to rock the party all night
To rock into this night our fists in the air
Fightin' a good fight
Cause we were singing along to Peter Gabriel sledge hammer song
You know it's clear that tonight we belong in this place
So I stand back to reflect in this town I hate
At least just for a second I think I might stay
This ain't where it's at
My friends will second that
And I gotta admit sometimes it's pretty sad
But its like were our own brat pack
Were always kickin' back nobody can take that
And that is that
So ill run away to the hopes that I have
That still I fall asleep in the arms of my past
And when I wake so helpless and thinking of that just lay back down
Again
Everyday
So maybe later toady ill know
What I will do with my life as I know it
Maybe for now ill drive back to that place where I belong
And hope to god it hasn't changed
This ain't where it's at
My friends will second that
And I gotta admit sometimes it's pretty sad
But its like were our own brat pack were always kickin' back
Nobody can take that no no no
This ain't where it's at
My friends will second that
And I gotta admit sometimes it's pretty sad
But its like were our own brat pack were always kickin' back
Nobody can take that
That is that it's like its all we have
The Rocket Summer's "Brat Pack" is about feeling trapped in a small town and wanting to escape it, but also realizing that the people you grew up with and the memories you've made there are a part of who you are. The song opens with the singer expressing his discontent with the town, and his desire to leave it behind. He doesn't want to be stuck in a place where everyone talks about their high school years when they're in their thirties. The chorus, however, contradicts this by expressing how the singer and his friends have their own unique group dynamic, like the Brat Pack from the 80s movies. They have this sense of belonging and comfort with each other, and they don't want to lose that.
The second half of the song is about driving to a place to hang out with friends and make more memories, which gives the sense that while the singer doesn't feel like he belongs in this town anymore, there are still parts of it that he loves. The repeated "this ain't where it's at" can be interpreted as both a rejection of the town as well as a reminder of how important the people and experiences are to him. The song ends with the singer unsure of his future but finding solace in the present moment with his friends.
Overall, "Brat Pack" is a bittersweet anthem about wanting to escape but also holding onto what's familiar and comforting. It's a relatable song for anyone who's struggled to balance conflicting feelings about their hometown.
Line by Line Meaning
For about four years I've hated this town
I have disliked this town for four years
There's so much I just want to get out
I want to leave for various reasons
Since graduation was long ago
It has been a while since I graduated
Please somebody get me out of this hole
Help me escape this place
Cause I don't want to get stuck in here
I do not want to be stuck here
When I am thirty-four just talking about high school years
I do not want to spend my thirties talking about high school
No I don't want to be there an I feel so stuck right here
I do not want to be here, and I feel trapped
Back and forth side to side oh my dear
I am uncertain and indecisive
My foot to the floor I will drive to the place
I will drive quickly to my desired destination
Where I can kick it with friends through the night
Where I can spend time with friends all night long
A place well talk about now and the past what the future holds
A place where we discuss the present, past, and future
Hanging out with not much to do
Spending time together with nothing specific to do
Just aimless with each other is what we do
We spend time together without a goal or objective
Cause this ain't where it's at
This place is not ideal
My friends will second that
My friends agree with me
And I gotta admit sometimes it's pretty sad
Sometimes it makes me sad
But its like were our own brat pack
We are like the Brat Pack in our own way
Were always kickin' back nobody can take that
We always relax and nobody can change that
That is that it's like its all we have
This is all we have, and we embrace it
Whoo whoo ya oh come on
An expression of excitement or encouragement
Say oh oh get on the floor
Encouraging someone to dance
Dance till you got no more
Dance until you can no longer
I know its there somewhere
I know it exists somewhere
Don't worry ill be there to rock the party all night
I will be there to party all night long
To rock into this night our fists in the air
To enjoy this night while pumping our fists
Fightin' a good fight
Persisting towards a positive goal
Cause we were singing along to Peter Gabriel sledge hammer song
We sang along to a Peter Gabriel song
You know it's clear that tonight we belong in this place
It is evident we belong here tonight
So I stand back to reflect in this town I hate
I step back to contemplate this town I despise
At least just for a second I think I might stay
Even if it is just momentarily, I consider staying
So ill run away to the hopes that I have
I will leave for a chance at my aspirations
That still I fall asleep in the arms of my past
I still reminisce and feel the comfort of the past
And when I wake so helpless and thinking of that just lay back down
When I wake up helpless and reminisce, I lie back down
Everyday
Occurs every day
So maybe later toady ill know
Perhaps I will know later today
What I will do with my life as I know it
I will decide on the path I want to take in life
Maybe for now ill drive back to that place where I belong
For now, I will return to where I feel most comfortable
And hope to god it hasn't changed
And pray it has not transformed
Nobody can take that no no no
No one can take away our bond
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRYCE AVARY, STEPHEN BRYCE AVARY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James T Kirk Cameron
I saw this guy live in 2004 at the Glasshouse in Pomona, CA when I was 16 with friends. As I've aged I'm no longer into this kind of poppy, feely good music, but I still respect his performance and talents and remember it being a great show. At the peak of his last song he shot a big confetti gun into the audience. Some good nostalgia for sure.
Brian
It’s funny because when I was 13 in 2007 His songs helped to shape my tastes in music and I’m still really into feel-good poppy stuff. But I don’t listen to his newer music because it’s not as poppy anymore.
Mysockispurpletoday
I fell in love with every song i could find of Bryce's since i was a kid living in Florida. now im a 26 year old adult and my genre taste has changed a few times. the other night at Emo Nite Dallas, TX. in a drunken daze the announcer introduced bryce avery from the rocket summer and i saw him move and in person and everything just felt right i couldnt believe my eyes lol
miranda watters
dude that’s some story hell yeah
Matt Wilmore
I hitchhiked to one of his concerts in Dallas, my brothers and I broke down on the way on Interstate 45 between Houston and Dallas. And we WERN'T going to miss this "hometown" show. But we got picked up by a nice guy and I told him what happened at the show and he got us in for free and backstage because we did that. One of the best concert experiences I've ever had.
Carly Eliz
So many memories. These songs saved my life❤️
Alexandra Dupont
This song brings back so many memories. Definitely a forever favorite 💕
BlackAmericanLesbian Professional
I still love this song today! I remember listening to this on repeat in around year 2006 and a couple of other Rocket Summer's songs. :) Thank you for posting.
Melissa J
Omg I’ve been looking for this song for a few years now. I didn’t know any of the words but remember listening to it all of the time in 8th grade. It bothered me so much that I couldn’t find it. Finally!! Thank you :)
Tyler O'Neill
That’s the best feeling