Started in 2005 in Tallahassee, Florida Mayday Parade is an alternative/punk band consisting of Derek Sanders, Jeremy Lenzo, Alex Garcia, Brooks Betts and Jake Bundrick signed to Fearless Records. Mayday Parade has since released five records and two extended plays (EPs). They have hits such as Terrible Things, Miserable at Best, Oh Well Oh Well, and Ghosts. Mayday Parade has grown a lot in the past 11 years and as far as I am concerned are still very under appreciated.
With a twitter following of over 640K Mayday Parade's fan base is still small compared to similar artist such as Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, and Sleeping With Sirens. Mayday Parade can be described as love and break up music in a different way. Their music can be upbeat and all about heartbreak and disappointment, but also depressing and all about being in love. Their music is unique in so many ways. Including piano and other not so punk instruments in many of their songs.Their melodies are not common but also not difficult. Mayday Parade is catchy but not pop, they are heartfelt and relatable. They aren't very in your face but something you won't forget.
Their stage show is calm, and give off the sense of community and family. No giant mosh pits, no fights, just everyone singing along and enjoying this amazing music. The musicians are humble and kind to their fans, even a little shy around them. The whole band is a sense of five guys who came together to do something they love for strangers that they love.
So what to listen to if you haven't heard Mayday Parade yet, check out these 7 songs, one from each album or EP released.
1. Jersey from A Lesson in Romantics
"And you threw a spark that lit the candle that set us all on fire and sent a flame down the east coast"
Miserable at Best is the hit from this album but Jersey deserves some recognition. To me it's just calling out the person that hurt you most, the one who destroyed your world and just saying, I'm okay.
2. The Silence from Anything But Here
"Even though the world she loved. It won't ever be the way it was and his heart of stone left her's breaking."
A heartbreak song in the alternative/punk genre that is finally told from the girls perspective. A guy hurt a girl and left her broken. But all in an upbeat song. This is something truly unique.
3. Stay from Mayday Parade
"I'm not strong enough for the both of us. What was I supposed to do?You know I love you."
We both messed up, I still love you, I'm sorry, let's work this out is the gist of the song but the songs say it in a more beautiful and loving way, one that really makes you want to stay and work things out.
4. Ghosts from Monsters in the Closet
"If there were monsters in the closet, Well, I don't think I would be surprised. I hear them call out from my window. They try and trick me to come outside."
Personally one of my least favorite albums, you can really see the change in the band. It seems like a rushed "we need to get an album out let's throw some stuff together" kind of deal. However I will give them this, Ghosts was a good and chilling song.
5. Letting Go from Black Lines
"Gravity pulls me in further from my skin I run but my feet don't touch the ground"
By far the worst album Mayday Parade has released. The newest and the one that shows how far from their roots they have come and how much they are trying to conform and fit back into the growing scene. It's a hard album to get through and it's a disappointment to a long time fan. Letting Go is barely a worthy song, but give it a listen.
6. Three Cheers for Five Years from Tales Told By Dead Friends (EP)
"Another night another dream wasted on you."
A depressing little album, you can feel the hurt and heartbreak in every song but such a work of art. This song gives me chills every time and is so relatable to anyone who has ever been let down and hurt by someone they love.
7. Terrible Things from Valdosta
"'I can't help but notice, you're staring at me. I know I shouldn't say this, but I really believe,I can tell by your eyes that you're in love with me'"
This was a tough one to pick between Terrible Things and Kids in Love, so make sure to give both a listen. But, this is a heart-wrenching song with an amazing story to remind you to cherish the ones you love and every moment with them. I cry every time.
Mayday Parade is an amazing band who has some great old stuff and need to get back to their roots to continue to succeed.
