For nearly twenty years, Mayday Parade has remained one of the most beloved bands in the pop-punk and emo scene. From their breakout album A Lesson in Romantics to their continued touring and songwriting today, the band has maintained a rare level of longevity in a constantly evolving music landscape.

Breakline Press recently spoke with bassist Jeremy Lenzo about the band’s origins, their songwriting process, and what continues to inspire them after two decades together.

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Friendship First

Looking back at the early days of Mayday Parade, Lenzo says the band’s foundation has always been rooted in genuine friendship.

“We’ve always been friends first,” he explains. “We were all high school friends who happened to enjoy the same style of music and were lucky enough to make a career out of it. Even if the band never worked out, I think we’d still be hanging out today.”

That bond has helped the band remain stable through years of touring, recording, and the inevitable changes that come with a long career.

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The Legacy of A Lesson in Romantics

Released in 2007, A Lesson in Romantics quickly became one of the defining records of the late-2000s pop-punk and emo era. Nearly two decades later, it continues to resonate with listeners.

But according to Lenzo, the band had no idea the record would have such lasting impact.

“Not at all,” he says. “When we made that album we were just trying to write the best songs we could. We knew we were proud of it, but we didn’t realize how deeply it would connect with people.”

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Songwriting Then vs. Now

In the early years, songwriting was a chaotic but creative group effort.

“We’d just throw ideas around in a room and see what stuck,” Lenzo recalls.

Today the process looks different. With band members living in different states, much of the writing begins individually before being shared among the group.

“Everyone writes on their own now,” he explains. “A couple weeks before going into the studio we start sending demos around and narrowing down which songs we want to record.”

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Connecting Across Generations

One of Mayday Parade’s most remarkable achievements is their ability to reach new listeners while maintaining a loyal fanbase.

Lenzo believes that comes down to the emotional honesty in their music.

“Most of our songs come from real experiences: heartbreak, relationships, growing up,” he says. “Those are things anyone can connect with.”

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Surprises on the Road

After two decades of touring, it might seem like little could surprise the band anymore. But moments still happen.

Lenzo recalls a recent show in Portugal that caught them off guard.

“We played there for the first time about a month ago and had a ton of people singing along with us. I didn’t expect that, but it was a pleasant surprise.”

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Still Inspired After 20 Years

Despite their long career, Mayday Parade shows no signs of slowing down creatively.

“The exciting part is that we still feel creative,” Lenzo says. “After this long you might think it’d be harder to find inspiration, but in some ways it’s easier because we’re not chasing trends anymore.”

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Advice to Their Younger Selves

If Lenzo could go back to the early days of the band, his advice would be simple.

“Take it all in,” he says. “When you’re starting out you’re always focused on the next show or the next record. Looking back now, those early moments were really special.”

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Looking Ahead

Fans won’t have to wait long for new material.

“Definitely new music,” Lenzo confirms. “The third part of our album should come out sometime this year. We also have a lot of festivals we’ll be playing, so keep your eyes open for those.”

Photograph provided by Jacob Moniz