The pride of Colleyville, TX, Bryce Avary recorded and released two initial EPs before taking the Rocket Summer to stages worldwide. Avary signed with The Militia Group in 2002 and released the Calendar Days LP a short time after; a gifted songwriter and musician, he played every instrument heard on the album, debuting a lush, layered, and exuberant sound that blended alt-rock and emo influences with references to his faith. The Tim O'Heir-produced Hello, Good Friend followed in 2005. By that time the Rocket Summer had gained a reputation not only for Avary's multi-threat talent in the studio, but for he and his band's energetic live shows. Miltia reissued his first self-titled EP in November 2006, retitled The Early Years EP, whose original 1,000 copies had been sold out since Avary had recorded and released it at age 16 (circa 1999/2000). The iTunes EP was released in early 2007 and, following a move to Island/Def Jam Records, Avary released his third full-length, Do You Feel.