Ryan Avery

Infobox Celebrity
name = Ryan Chadwick Avery


caption =
birth_name = Ryan Chadwick Avery
birth_date = 1986
birth_place = Phoenix, Arizona
occupation = Singer, comedian and performance artist
website = [http://www.thegoodshows.com www.thegoodshows.com]
footnotes =

Ryan Avery (born 1986) is an American singer, comedian and performance artist, photobooth artist and Mormon missionary from Phoenix, Arizona. He has emerged as a prominent representative of the downtown Phoenix art, music, comedy, and improv scenes, taking his acts into California for performances with the Radioactive Chickenheads and Quintron and Miss Pussycat, as well as local performances with the The Aquabats, Peelander-Z, Good Riddance, Wild Man Fischer, and Thanksgiving. He recently returned from a hiatus serving a Mormon mission in Portland, Oregon.

Biography

Avery was born in 1986 and raised in the Mormon religion. He has been diagnosed with hypopituitarism, which causes his youthful appearance. After his parents' 1993 divorce and disciplinary incidents at school, Avery used performance to work out his issues. [ [http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2006-08-03/news/hi-my-name-is-ryan/ Leatherman, Benjamin. "Hi, My Name Is Ryan" ("Phoenix New Times," August 3, 2006)] ]

Performance art, comedy, and improv

Locking Your Car Doors

One of Avery's first projects, "Locking Your Car Doors" (also called LYCD), was an avant garde noise group known for its destruction of property (ala Wendy O. Williams). LYCD is best known for being banned from a few minor Arizona venues.

ilverchair

Avery transitioned from performing with a group to in a solo capacity. Silverchair (meant to be confused with the Australian rock band of the same) was Avery's venture into solo performance art, with such acts as doing monologues from under a tent to dressing like Adolf Hitler (both Avery and Hitler are art school dropouts).

Hi, My Name Is Ryan

Silverchair morphed into Hi, My Name Is Ryan. This vehicle for Avery's work runs the gamut between monologue, improv, spoken word, and stand-up comedy, with the first performance being set up like a talk show (which led to the creation of "Grand Avenue Tonight"), and subsequent performances including wrapping the audience in crime scene tape.

Improv Theatre

Avery began studying improv from Phoenix improv troupe [http://www.galapagosimprov.com/ Galapagos] , directors of the [http://www.phoeniximprovfestival.com/ Phoenix Improv Festival] , both performing with them and joining a troupe formed while in the program called Catorce (with members JRC, Amy Carpenter, and Bri).

Uncle Sku's Clubhouse

Avery performed as "Caspar," a retarded man-boy, in the cast of " [http://www.myspace.com/uncleskusclubhouse Uncle Sku's Clubhouse] ," performed at various Arizona venues as a perverted children's show, hosted by Pete Petrisko. The portrayal of Uncle Sku as an implied pedophile, a chain-smoking puppet named Mr. Jangles, and Avery's performance as Caspar (convincing enough to offend various audience members who have accused Petrisko of exploiting the disabled, not knowing Avery was acting) did not deter Bill Thompson, host of landmark Phoenix show "Wallace and Ladmo" from requesting the Clubhouse crew perform for him. Thompson was reported to have been pleased, as well as fooled by Avery's acting.

Grand Avenue Tonight

Avery hosted "Grand Avenue Tonight", conceived by JRC and Avery after a "Hi, My Name Is Ryan" performance set up like a talk show. Avery interviewed notable local artists and musicians, as well as touring acts like [http://www.duckmandu.com/ Duckmandu] . Avery handed the reins over to new host [http://www.sonofpatter.com Kevin Patterson] , a spoken word performer, and new co-host and producer Brodie Foster Hubbard, who had previously contributed to the show as a writer and frequent guest.

Avery also starred in a short film by [http://www.Intriguingimagesbydarren.com Darren Burgett] called 'Rocky Road'. In this film he portrays an overweight young man on a quest for ice cream when on the way he encounters many problems with bullies.

Collaborations with Jemsek brothers

Night Wolf

Avery and Andrew Jemsek (of polka/punk duo Haunted Cologne) perform as Night Wolf, a comedic band with horror themes, dressed in blue and red track suits and black sunglasses. Night Wolf declare each show as "our final show ever." Andrew's brother (and Haunted Cologne bandmate) Tristan Jemsek sometimes performs with Night Wolf as a drummer called "The Phantom."

Iggy Pop

The same trio perform in a jazz/noise act Iggy Pop (meant to be confused with the punk pioneer of the same name). Both groups have been kicked out of several art galleries for their confrontational performances.

The Avery-Jemsek-Jemsek combination also began playing as street performers The A.R.T. Revue (with songs like "Give Me Some Money") and industrial/metal act Too Much Birthday.

Collaborations with Emily Spetrino-Murtagh

Avery was a promoter in the Arizona ska scene, and owned and operated the now defunct AZSKA.com. Avery was also a moderator on the forum for The Aquabats official site and the now defunct AZMUSICFORUMS.com. Through these channels, he formed a friendship with Emily Spetrino-Murtagh. Avery went on to form [http://www.thegoodshows.com The Good Shows] promotion group with Spetrino-Murtaugh, working with such acts as Peelander-Z, Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Captain Ahab, [http://www.myspace.com/triplenipple Triple Nipple] , Kimya Dawson, and the Radioactive Chicken Heads. Most of his shows take place at the Trunk Space. Avery and Spetrino-Murtagh perform as The Best Friends, an a cappella duo.

Father's Day

Arguably Avery's most known project, Father's Day, is a thrash band consisting of Avery, the Jemsek brothers, and Spetrino-Murtagh. Each is known by an alias; Spetrino-Murtagh as "Classy Dad," Andrew Jemsek as "Golf Dad," Tristan Jemsek as "Drunk Dad," and Avery as "Business Dad." Avery's character is named "Douglas Patton," after the first and middle names of Avery's father. The character resembles Tony Clifton due to Avery's use of a fake handlebar moustache while performing as the character. The music is punk rock, but the lyrics are written to portray what a dysfunctional father might say to his family. Songs include "When I Say Woman, I'm Talking To You," "Spank the World," and "My Son's a Gay."

The band opened up for Good Riddance, but was then kicked off the stage and banned from the venue.

Photobooth art

After the installation of a black-and-white photobooth at the Trunk Space, Avery devoted himself to "photobooth art," as noted on Mark Mothersbaugh's [http://www.mutatovisual.com/html/reports/perihelion/ryan.html website] .

Examples of Ryan's Photobooth Art can be found on his official [http://ryan.thegoodshows.com/ website] .

Mormon faith and farewell

Avery's religion is an influence, though not a barrier, to his performing. However, he announced in summer of 2006 that his church had accepted him to go as a Mormon missionary to Portland, Oregon. Avery will be serving the church until 2008, at which time he says he will return to Phoenix, Arizona and continue his performing.

On August 16, 2006, the Trunk Space celebrated his career thus far with the premiere of a short film, "Rocky Road," which Avery has a starring role in. Among the nearly 20 performances were several local artists, [http://www.myspace.com/redponyclock Red Pony Clock] , the Nourishment with special guest Phil Lawrence joining Archbishop Jason Polland, Joe Tepperman, Blair Sterrett and Jeremy Matthews, and Wild Man Fischer of Rhino Records fame in his first public appearance in five years. Avery concluded the show with his "Hi My Name Is Ryan" performance-art piece.

Documentary, "Hi My Name is Ryan"

Infobox Film
name = Hi My Name is Ryan


image_size =
caption =
director = Paul Eagleston
Stephen Rose
producer = Michael Dana
Paul Eagleston
Stephen Rose
writer =
narrator =
starring = Ryan Avery
Emily Spetrino-Murtagh
Andrew Jemsek
Tristan Jemsek
Wayne Michael Reich
music =
cinematography = Paul Eagleston
Stephen Rose
editing = Paul Eagleston
Stephen Rose
distributor =
released = June 14, 2008(Cinevegas Film Festival)
runtime = 78 min
country = flag|United States
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.himynameisryan.com/
amg_id =
imdb_id = 1253576

[http://www.himynameisryan.com/ Hi My Name is Ryan] is a documentary film about Ryan Avery. The film chronicles some of Ryan's personal struggles, his performances, and his own search for happiness. Salt Lake City filmmakers [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1468059/ Paul Eagleston] and [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1154291/ Stephen Rose] directed and produced the film. Most of the footage of Ryan was shot during his final days in Phoenix before his 2 year mission.

CineVegas 2008 Film Festival

"Hi My Name is Ryan" had its [http://cinevegas.bside.com/2008/films/himynameisryan_cinevegas2008 World Premiere] on Jun 14 at the 2008 CineVegas Film Festival before a sold out theater. It was shown twice during the festival which is held in Las Vegas, NV. The film was selected as one of only six documentaries in competition to be shown during the [http://www.cinevegas.com/cv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=565&Itemid=201 2008 event] .

"Hi My Name is Ryan" was awarded with the [http://www.cinevegas.com/cv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=633&Itemid=201 Special Documentary Jury Prize] at Cinevegas 2008.

ILVERDOCS 2008 Film Festival

"Hi My Name is Ryan" had its [http://www.silverdocs.com/festival/films/2008/hi-my-name-ryan/ East Coast Premier] June 19 at the 2008 SILVERDOCS Film Festival near Washington, D.C.. The documentary was shown twice during the festival which ran from June 16–23 at the American Film Institute's AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. [http://www.silverdocs.com/ SILVERDOCS] is an international film festival which features documentaries exclusively.

Calgary International Film Festival 2008

"Hi My Name is Ryan" had its [http://calgaryfilm.com/default.asp?mode=filmsdetail&fullfilmsdetail=49 Canadian Premiere] Friday September 26th at the 2008 Calgary International Film Festival(CIFF). The film screened twice at [http://www.theuptown.com/ The Uptown Stage and Screen] . CIFF is a fairly new film festival and has an average attendance of about 40,000. CIFF 2008 ran from September 19th to the 28th. [http://www.himynameisryan.com/ "Hi My Name is Ryan"] was shown as part of the Documentary Showcase category.

Woodstock Film Festival 2008

"Hi My Name is Ryan" had its [http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2008/details.php?id=19765 New York Premiere] Saturday October 4th 2008 as part of the Woodstock Film Festival at the [http://www.bearsvilletheater.com/ Bearsville Theater] in Woodstock New York at 11:30am. The film also screened Sunday October 5th at the [http://www.upstatefilms.org Upstate Films Theater] at 8pm. "Hi My Name is Ryan" was one of approx 30 feature length documentaries that were shown during the festival which ran from October 1-5, 2008.

Indie Memphis Film Festival 2008

On Sunday October 12th 2008 at 6pm [http://indiememphis.bside.com/2008/films/himynameisryan_indiememphis2008 "Hi My Name is Ryan"] will be screening as part of the [http://www.indiememphis.com/ 2008 Indie Memphis Film Festival] . The film will be showing at the [http://www.malco.com/index.php?page=cinema_info&this_id=32 Studio on the Square] in the heart of the historic [http://memphis.about.com/od/communities/ig/Overton-Square/ Overton Square] neighborhood in Midtown Memphis. The 2008 Indie Memphis Film Festival will take place October 9-16. "Hi My Name is Ryan" is one of twelve [http://indiememphis.bside.com/2008/schedule/category/Competition%252BDocumentary documentaries in competition] at the festival.

an Francisco International Documentary Festival 2008

The [https://sfdocfest08.withoutabox.com/festivals/event_item.php?id=18504 West Coast Premiere] of "Hi My Name is Ryan" will occur Friday October 17th at 7:15pm as part of the 2008 [http://www.sfindie.com/ San Francisco International Documentary Film Festival] . The film will screen twice during the 3 week documentary film festival, on October 17th and the 23rd at 7:15pm, at The Roxie Theatre on the Big Roxie Screen.

AFI FEST 2008

[http://filmguide.afifest.com/tixSYS/2008/filmguide/films/4139 "Hi My Name is Ryan"] will be participating in the documentary competition at AFI FEST 2008. The film will be screening twice at the ArcLight Hollywood Theatre in Hollywood, California. The first screening will take place Thursday, November 6th at 9:20pm and the second screening will be on Saturday, November 8th at 12:30pm. "Hi My Name is Ryan" is one of 14 films in the documentary competition.

Discography

2006
* HI MY NAME IS RYAN "live from the MTC (remixed)" CD [http://www.onewordlong.com/ onewordlong]
* FATHERS DAY "mix tape" (part of the static rainbow series) C-30 [http://www.myspace.com/nightpass Nightpass Handmade Records]
* FATHERS DAY "i don't want to do this!" 7" [http://www.gilgongorecords.com/ Gilgongo Records]
* FATHERS DAY "self titled / live @the REAL coachella" CD
* IGGY POP "warped" 12" VINYL
* SOFT BOULDER "live @the trunkspace 4-20-06" CD
* HI MY NAME IS RYAN "i like photobooths" CD - Grunge Puppy Records
* THE DIETRICHS "violently" CD
* 8 BIT PORNO "Live @The Trunkspace 01-06" C-30 Russolos Brain

2005
* VARIOUS ARTISTS "mr. snails halloween compilation" CD - Snail Sounds
* THE COITUS "DEMO Live @The Trunkspace 09-05" CD
* NIGHT WOLF "you asked for it" CD
* HAUNTED COLOGNE "once upon a time" CD
* NIGHT WOLF "get a REAL drummer you jerks!" CD
* FATHERS DAY "spank the world" CD
* NIGHT WOLF "the stupid" CD
* NIGHT WOLF "the good" CD
* NIGHT WOLF "the bad" CD
* NIGHT WOLF "the ugly" CD
* IGGY POP "numbers" CD
* FATHERS DAY "stay out of my den" [split w/haunted cologne]
* FATHERS DAY "i'm very disappointed in you" [split w/aurora borealis]
* FATHERS DAY "the perfect housewife" [split w/french quarter]
* FATHERS DAY "i want a divorce" [split w/birthday Indian]
* FATHERS DAY "i use to play football" [split with iggy pop]
* FATHERS DAY "get a haircut" [split w/jaime j. and sean t.]
* FATHERS DAY "don't screw up like i did" [split w/brodie hubbard] 2004
* LOCKING YOUR CAR DOORS "put in the gay VOL. 2" DVD
* LOCKING YOUR CAR DOORS "put in the gay VOL. 1" DVD
* LOCKING YOUR CAR DOORS "50+songs, -20 minutes" CD

2002
* THE PUTTIES "from the putties to johnny five!" CD

2001
* DJ SENSE "the sounds of acid" CD

External links

* [http://ryan.thegoodshows.com/ Ryan Avery official site]
* [http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2006-08-03/news/hi-my-name-is-ryan/ Phoenix New Times feature on Ryan Avery] - August 03, 2006
* [http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2008/06/documentary_based_on_a_new_tim.php Film Premier announcement in Phoenix New Times] - June 12, 2008
* [http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-08-28/calendar/hi-my-name-is-still-ryan/ Phoenix New Times Article - "Hi, My Name is Still Ryan"] - August 28, 2008
* [http://www.thegoodshows.com/ The Good Shows official site (also hosts sites for Father's Day, Night Wolf, and other Avery projects)]
* [http://www.myspace.com/himynameisryan2/ Ryan Avery on MySpace]
* [http://www.cmj.com/relay/?cat=9 CMJ.com article on Father's Day]
*Ryan Avery on Mark Mothersbaugh's [http://www.mutatovisual.com/html/reports/perihelion/ryan.html site]
* [http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/2006-02-02/music/Stiletto.html Article featuring Catorce improv]
* [http://www.himynameisryan.com/ "Hi My Name is Ryan" Documentary Home Page]
* [http://cinevegas.bside.com/2008/films/himynameisryan_cinevegas2008 CineVegas 2008 "Hi My Name is Ryan" Film Summary]
* [http://www.silverdocs.com/festival/films/2008/hi-my-name-ryan/ SILVERDOCS 2008 "Hi My Name is Ryan" Film Summary]
* [http://calgaryfilm.com/default.asp?mode=filmsdetail&fullfilmsdetail=49 Calgary International Film Festival 2008 "Hi My Name is Ryan" Film Summary]
* [http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2008/details.php?id=19765 Woodstock Film Festival 2008 "Hi My Name is Ryan" Film Summary]
* [http://indiememphis.bside.com/2008/films/himynameisryan_indiememphis2008 2008 Indie Memphis Film Festival "Hi My Name is Ryan" Film Summary]

Notes