The genre of pop punk has definitely been going through an intense revival in the last couple of years. With several northern bands influencing the scene such as Man Overboard, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck and State Champs, the sound expectation from a pop punk band is starting to change. I have recently noticed with the rise of new bands, and the evolving industry, the bands that I grew up loving are turning into the classics. Bands such as All Time Low, Yellowcard, Panic! At The Disco and Cartel are becoming throwbacks. This more southern-based sound was the soundtrack to everyone’s freshman year of high school. If there was one band to truly stand as the sole example of heart-broken, angsty, adolescent years, it was Mayday Parade.
Mayday Parade was always known as the band that had two vocalists who could do amazing harmonies, and for most of their career that was true. Releasing a debut EP Tales Told By Dead Friends, Mayday Parade came out swinging with major hits such as “Three Cheers for Five Years” and “One Man Drinking Games.” Signing to Fearless Records, they quickly released what most would consider their best album to date. A Lesson in Romantics features crowd pleasers such as “Jamie All Over,” “Jersey” and the heart-wrenching ballad, “Miserable At Best.” After this release front man and guitarist Jason Lancaster decided to leave to band to pursue different things. Mayday Parade followed up the break up with their first album without Jason, Anywhere But Here, which left me slightly disappointed. Other than “Kids in Love” and “If You Can’t Live Without Me, Why Aren’t You Dead Yet” the album doesn’t have much to offer. Mayday Parade was in a transitional period. After some time to develop their sound and tour the country, they released a self -titled album that was incredible. They came back full force with one of the most consistent albums I’ve ever listened to. “Stay,” “Oh Well, Oh Well,” and “When You See My Friends” reminded listeners of why they loved Mayday Parade.
Mayday Parade has since put out an album titled Monsters In The Closet. The album had a similar vibe of their self —titled album, featuring some really great songs. With a continuously growing discography, the band is now promoting a new album Black Lines that will hit shelves October 9th of this year. So far they have released two new songs off of the album as teasers, one including vocalist Dan Lambton of Real Friends. The new stuff is refreshing. The music video put out for the first single “One Of Them Will Destroy The Other” it rad enough to watch twice in a row. Mayday Parade heads out on a the Alternative Press tour this fall with Real Friends, This Wild Life, and As It Is. Tune in to “It’s All Happening” Wednesdays from 2 to 4p.m. on 90.5 or listen live at wusc.sc.edu to hear the best of Mayday Parade.
