For nearly two decades, Floridian rock band Mayday Parade has been a cornerstone of the pop-punk scene, navigating the ups and downs of the music industry while maintaining a strong bond within the group. Ahead of touring slots on the touring Sad Summer Festival and Las Vegasโ When We Were Young Festival, Jeremy Lenzo, the band’s bassist, considers how they’ve managed to keep the chemistry and camaraderie alive through the years.
“Respect and equal value,” Lenzo explains off the bat. “Weโve been friends for over half our lives, but that doesnโt mean anything if itโs just surface level. Everyone wants to feel like theyโre being heard and their ideas are listened to, and that their voice is equal to everyone else, and we do that.”
Reflecting on their journey from, Jeremy points out both the growth and the challenges of staying true to their sound. “I would like to think weโve grown to some degree, but I canโt help but also think weโre stuck in a bubble of sorts,โ he says. โWe try and push boundaries but are also aware that people donโt want us to sound like a new band, they want to hear the band theyโre familiar with. We try and keep all that in mind while working and also just making music we like internally.”
Certain songs have taken on new significance over the years, especially fan favorite “Jamie All Over.” โI think Iโve realized just how important โJamie All Overโ is for our band.โ Lenzo says. โIt was always a popular song, but ever since the emo revival and the popularity of emo nights, Iโve realized how impactful the song was for the pop-punk scene during that time period.”
Releasing music independently after their most recent record deal ended has brought both challenges and rewards for the band. “I donโt think itโs influenced our music really; weโve always been in the fortunate position to do whatever we want, minus our major label album Anywhere But Here, which that label had control over,โ he says. โThe only difference now is we have a lot more work behind the scenes we have to do. I think it feels more rewarding though, knowing you have to really work for it.”
But despite the increased creative freedom and control over their music that being independent has brought the band, some new obstacles have also occurred. “I think figuring out how we are going to release songs has been challenging. With how music is changing, we werenโt really sure if we should do more of the single releases or package everything into an album to release all at once,โ Lenzo says. โWeโve been experimenting a little, and trying to find the balance of what works and what people want.”
On the road apart of the fifth Annual Sad Summer Fest, which will be touring across the U.S. this summer, Mayday Parade is excited to join forces with bands such as The Maine, We The Kings, Real Friends and The Summer Set, all of whom share a nostalgic bond with their fans. “Itโs amazing, it really is,” Lenzo enthuses. “At the moment itโs one of the few traveling festivals that cater to this genre of music. Thereโs no way to describe how important that really is for bands like ours and our contemporaries who are not radio bands, but rely on word of mouth to make new fans. This is one of the few festivals we can play where we can expect to make new fans who have never heard of us, or given our music a chance.”
With nearly 20 years under their belt, Mayday Parade has managed to maintain their unique sound while adapting to the demands of their fans and the industry. Their resilience and ability to grow without losing their essence have allowed them to thrive, even as they face new challenges, proving that their enduring appeal lies in their authenticity.
FOLLOW MAYDAY PARADE: Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Website
If you want to read more from our August issue, read the full issue online.
Or you can purchase your physical copy, while supplies last.ย
