Mayday Parade is a band from Tallahasse, Florida, and they are definitely ones to watch out for. They have sold over 20,000 copies of their first EP without support, signed with Fearless Records, and then released their first full length album. They are currently touring Warped Tour and starting July 21st, they will be featured as MTV’s Artist of the week with a premiere for their new music video, “Jamie All Over”. I caught up with guitarist, Brooks Betts, as well as vocalist and drummer, Jake Bundrick for the scoop on the band’s style as well as the best and worst aspects of Warped Tour.
D: Can you guys introduce yourselves to readers who may not be familiar with Mayday Parade?
B: I’m Brooks; I play guitar.
J: I’m Jake; I play drums.
D: Well, first of all, thank you guys for doing the interview. What are some themes you cover in your music?
B: Most of the album is about romance and that sort of thing, and heartbreak as well.
D: What’s the best compliment anyone could give you guys about your music?
B: I’ve had some people come up to me and say things like, we’re heroes to people and stuff like that. That’s the best compliment that I could think of.
D: What’s the best advice anyone has given you about the industry?
B: Probably just not to cross people. Go out there, take everything in stride, go your own path, go your own way, and make friends, because that’s what a lot of this is.
D: Are there any band member habits that get irritating while on the Warped Tour?
J: There are tons. This year is our first year on a bus, and I would say the most annoying one is people eating your food. You have to write your name on everything that you have. Let’s see, a messy bus too. It’s not too bad, but some times after shows people leave their shit out. Brooks, I think your jacket is still sitting on the counter.
D: What are the best and worst things about doing Warped Tour?
J: The porta potties would be the worst thing.
D: Yeah, they’re pretty terrible.
J: It’s like a sauna in there. And with the heat, ugh.
B: And the best things are the crowds, obviously.
J: And a lot of things travel word of mouth too. Kids hear what bands are coming [to Warped Tour] and they get all excited about it. They go on Myspace and tell their friends, “hey, check out this band”.
B: And our crowd has obviously grown from day one of the tour.
D: Charlotte STYLE is a lifestyle magazine with one of our emphasis in fashion so how would you describe Mayday Parade’s style?
J: We definitely have style. As far as that goes, we kind of try to portray our album artwork as far as the color of clothes we wear.
B: Yeah, we color coordinate it, and we all wear Macbeth shoes.
J: Button ups.
B: Collared shirts. That kind of thing.
J: Ties. You know, we try to look good. Even though it’s really hot.
D: So what can fans expect from Mayday Parade in the next year or so?
J: Well, after this tour, we start writing. We actually have six weeks off to write.
B: And then we’ll do a fall tour, we’ll do more writing, we’ll start pre-production, and then there’ll be another album out.
D: Who is your fall tour with?
J: All Time Low & The Maine.
D: Really? Well, I’ll definitely be at one of those shows. Are you guys coming to Charlotte, North Carolina?
B: Yeah, I’m sure we probably will.
J: Yeah, we’re trying to work all that out.
D: Great. Last question. When everything is all said and done, what do you guys want to be remembered for?
B: Well, obviously the music.
J: I just want to make an impression on somebody’s life with lyrics or in general, especially if someone’s going through a hard time. We’ve all been through it.
D: Well thanks for your time and good luck with the rest of Warped Tour!
