The Rockets will be taking center stage this year at North Penn’s annual Winter Ball.

A band specializing in covers from Northeast Philadelphia, The Rockets is comprised of six members: Jay Thomas, Derek Petaccio, Chris Taylor, Toby Vattilano, Christian Lynch, and Michael Fallis. Thomas, Petaccio, and Taylor are all vocalists and guitarists, Vattilano is on drums, Lynch plays bass, and Fallis is the lead guitarist and vocalist. Having appeared in clubs and parties for over ten years all along the East Coast, The Rockets are aptly nicknamed “The Party Band.”

Besides playing in clubs, The Rockets have appeared on the television channels VH1 and CBS, along with performing the national anthem for the Philadelphia Flyers, Phillies, and 76ers. With all these credits to their name, The Rockets are sure to amp up the energy to a new level inside the North Penn gymnasium.

As far as songs go, the band can cover all kinds of music, like Firework by Katy Perry to Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, or Superbass by Nicki Minaj to P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson. The band members pride themselves on emulating the tone and voice of the original singer, so each cover sounds as close to the original song as possible.

After the surprise announcement of a live band set to play for half of North Penn’s annual Winter Ball, many students wondered how the new live element would affect the special night. The wide variety of music The Rockets can play coupled with their energetic party atmosphere are sure to make the Winter Ball of 2014 one of the most exciting dances yet.