At the crucial age of 22, when most young 20-somethings are just breaking through the seal of independence, Devin Bronson's guitar skills have awarded him the attitude of a professional, the wit of a quick-tongued comedian, the cell phone roster of a Hollywood manager and the marked-up passport of a world traveler.

Inside SCV: You originally started off your famous tracks backing for Kelly Osbourne and then jumped on the Avril Lavigne band wagon last September. Was it hard to transition from one big name to another?

Devin: Well, I didn't leave Kelly for Avril. There was definitely a lot of time in between touring with Kelly and when I received the call from Avril. Actually, she called me when I was in Toronto working with a great Canadian band, Treble Charger. Just as I was about to get started working on a new album with them, the phone rang.

Also, it is easy to decipher between the two artists, because each is so different. Not to say that the experience with Kelly wasn't amazing, but she had a lot of other stuff going on that didn't involve the band. Getting into the music business was easy for her; she did it because she could, whereas Avril definitely had to prove herself to get her foot in the door and she has and continues to do that successfully and makes it all about her music. She is a true artist.

Inside SCV: So, I guess the answer to that is yes?

Devin: Ha, ha, yeah.

Inside SCV: Obviously you have had the chance to tour the world. Where is your favorite place to play?

Devin: You know, a lot of people ask me that, and I honestly think it is such a hard question to answer. I mean, each place is so different and you like it for this reason or that, but if I had to pinpoint one place, I would say Tokyo, or Japan in general. I just spent three weeks there touring with Avril, and I think I have started to understand their culture. London is always a cool place to play as well. There are just so many different venues in this one centrally located area; it's definitely not a boring city to say the least.

Inside SCV: Well, with all of that traveling is there one thing from the SCV you miss the most?

Devin: Wow, that's a hard one... I love In N Out, does that count?

Inside SCV: When was the first time you picked up a musical instrument?

Devin: In the fourth grade I played the saxophone in the school orchestra. I didn't pick up a guitar until I was about 13, and I played that $100 electric guitar for four or five years. I realized I wasn't very good at sports; I played hockey and baseball, so that's when I turned to the more independent past times.

Inside SCV: We heard that you owned more guitars than you can count, but you really only use around 15 of them regularly, what are the others for?

Devin: I am sure any musician can agree, it's like a disease. You just start to collect them, for sentimental value, for pure greed, for love of the craftsmanship. It has become such an issue that I have to leave my credit card at home.

Inside SCV: Do you have any other vices?

Devin: Shabu Shabu dining.

Inside SCV: Is that something you picked up while in Asia?

Devin: Funny enough, no, there is this place called Koji's in Hollywood, which is where I first learned of Shabu Shabu. It is a bit like fondue, all of the food is boiled. It is delicious and absolutely addictive.

Inside SCV: Who do you consider your biggest influence?

Devin: My grandfather. He was a music teacher in Seattle, and when I was growing up out there he always tried to teach me so many things that I just brushed aside. But now that I play, I fully understand everything he was preaching. Things begin to click and I realize that everything he said rings true in so many ways.

Inside SCV: I am sure you are your grandfather's biggest fan. What makes a good fan?

Devin: I don't think I have ever thought of that because Avril is really a solo artist, but when a fan comes up to me and knows certain things about my life, it is off-the-wall. I am more partial to the guitar kids who come to a show and stay around after to ask me a geeky guitar question like what amp did I use, because that was me when I was younger.

Inside SCV: Now that you are technically in the public eye, are there certain characteristics that you play up or hide to fit a certain image?

Devin: I am myself all the time, no gimmicks.

Inside SCV: Is there something that people wouldn't know about you just from first glance?

Devin: I really enjoy golfing.

Inside SCV: Did you leave time for that before you head back to Canada to start on Avril's next album?

Devin: I am a work-a-holic; it is my biggest problem/non problem. I have such a limited time in L.A. to get things done that I have to take full advantage of that. But if I do come across some down time, I would much rather be out playing golf than sitting around doing nothing.

Inside SCV: It is hard not to notice that starting a band, being in a band or even knowing someone in a band is becoming an epidemic here in the SCV among the younger set. Do you have a favorite local band?

Devin: Unfortunately I am only here about seven weeks out of the year, so it is difficult to keep up with everything happening out here. I wish that there was a specific venue for them to play and an opportunity to share their passion and talent with their friends and family. My younger brother is in a band and there is just nowhere for them to play out here.

Inside SCV: So, I have to admit that I googled you and one of the results was a free encyclopedia site where you are listed as "Devin Bronson: currently Avril Lavigne's lead guitarist and previously held a position with Kelly Osbourne's backing band." Is it ever hard to always be Devin Bronson, so and so's guitarist?

Devin: Are you serious? That is pretty comical, you know, I am only 22. The timing has to be just right and most importantly I enjoy working with other artists, so I am completely content with my current situation. Plus, it is hard to think about yourself when you are part of an industry that is so big on collaboration.

Inside SCV: Some Avril fan sites claim that all of the other members of her band have a secret crush on her; do you fall under that category as well?

Devin: I highly doubt that your sources are credible, as we consider ourselves a family, Avril is like a second sister to me.

Inside SCV: Would you like to take this time to declare your love for another female celebrity?

Devin: I have a thing for Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.

Inside SCV: How does your girlfriend feel about your secret crush, well not so secret any more?

Devin: I am as single as they come. I have such a structured schedule and I am gone all of the time, that a girlfriend just doesn't fit into my agenda at the moment.

Inside SCV: As this is our Back to School issue, do you have any advice for kids to combat the back to school blues?

Devin: Just make sure you have other interests on the side that you can look forward to, you know, whatever makes you happy, juggling, sewing, myspacing - some hobby that gets your mind off of the end of summer.

Inside SCV: With a description in an encyclopedia, touring with Kelly, working with Avril, traveling all around the world, do you have any future plans to take over the world?

Devin: Of course, muah aha...