MAYDAY PARADE
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IF THIS WERE A PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF THE 10-YEAR HISTORY OF FLORIDIAN QUINTET, MAYDAY PARADE, THE KEY TAKEAWAY WOULD BE THAT IT EFFECTIVELY AND INGENIOUSLY BROUGHT THE DISPARATE AND MILITANTLY OPPOSED WORLDS OF PUNK AND ROCK & ROLL TOGETHER. THROUGHOUT THEIR FIVE-ALBUM-DEEP CATALOGUE – WHICH INCLUDES LAST YEAR’S BLACK LINES – THEIR IDIOM HAS BEEN ONE OF SPEED, INTENSITY AND MELODY WITH A SAVVY MELDING OF FIST-UP STOMPERS AND ACHING-HEART BALLADRY THAT ISN’T WITHOUT A DISTINCTLY POIGNANT FORCE. BEFORE YOU RECEIVE THE SUBLIME TIDINGS FROM THE RETURNING HEROES, READ WHAT BASSIST JEREMY LENZO HAS TO SAY ABOUT THEIR JOURNEY. It’s known that you wanted to keep the writing done internally. Why? We wanted to keep the writing internally because this album was supposed to be about the change within our band. Opening that up to other people’s input wouldn’t have allowed us to make the album we wanted. We didn’t want to make compromises or change things that the band didn’t want to change. What was it like working with Mike Sapone on the production? It was great working with Mike Sapone; we have always loved the albums he has done, and really loved what he did with our album. He is great at finding different sounds, and has a lot of unique ideas. How would you say recording in a converted church affected your sound? I don’t think the fact it was a church effected the sound too much, but because the church has such high ceilings, it allowed for a lot more natural reverb and room sound, which we were able to use for certain parts. The lead single, “Keep In Mind, Transmogrification Is A New Technology” is incredible. What inspired its very interesting title? The title is a line from a Calvin And Hobbes comic. Derek [frontman] is a big Calvin And Hobbes fan, and I think he just liked the way the title sounded with this song. This year marked the 10th anniversary of Mayday Parade’s existence as a band. How does it feel to be doing it this long? I don’t think any of us thought we would be doing this for 10 years
when we started the band. We are humbled and grateful to still be here and doing this, and so appreciative of everyone who still comes out to our shows. What do you think has been the key to your success in being able to work so well together? The key to us being around this long, and working well together, is that fact that we are all friends. You have to be able to remember that you started this band with your friends because you all had the same goal. If you lose sight of that goal, or forget that the people around you are your friends, and not just business partners, that’s where things can start to fall apart. What’s the biggest misconception about Mayday Parade? I don’t think there are any misconceptions about our band. We have been very open with who we are and what we care about. If you could turn back the clock, what would you tell your younger selves? If I could turn back time, I would tell my younger self to hold on, because it’s going to be a hell of a ride. Lastly, what are you most excited for about playing in Singapore in October? We have always loved Singapore, and what I’m personally looking forward to is some good Singaporean food! I love me some good food.
Catch Mayday Parade Live at Luxi, St. James Power Station on October 16. maydayparade.com music
Text Indran P Image Fearless Records Interview Courtesy Of Upsurge Productions
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WHEN PUNK GOES ROCK