The Summer Set

Co-founded by brothers John and Stephen Gomez, the Summer Set took shape in 2007 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Gomez siblings rounded out their lineup with guitarist Josh Montgomery, drummer Jess Bowen, and vocalist Brian Dales. The teenage quartet chose their name after opening an atlas and happening upon the town of Somerset, New Jersey. Despite the East Coast reference, Arizona proved to be the Summer Set's muse, as the group took inspiration from local acts like Jimmy Eat World and the Format while composing its own emo-pop songs. As they gathered a modest audience on social media, the Summer Set played local shows and issued several EPs, all while still in high school. After graduating, they signed with Razor & Tie. Released in 2009, Love Like This marked the group's official debut. Everything's Fine followed in 2011, featuring production by John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Andrew W.K.) and guest songwriting by Paul Doucette (Matchbox Twenty) and Mike Daly (Whiskeytown). The band's third album, Legendary, was issued in early 2013 and featured guest vocals from Dia Frampton. During the promotional cycle for their fourth LP, Dales revealed that the Summer Set almost called it quits at the end of 2015, amidst concerns that the band had "run its course." However, despite doubts, they stayed together and completed Stories for Monday, which was released in April 2016. ~ Andrew Leahey