EastScene

EastScene’s Shannah Lauren had the chance to catch up with Derek Sanders, lead vocalist of Tallahassee, FL’s Mayday Parade. The band is fresh off the touring circuit (AP Fall Ball Tour) and ready to embark on this winter’s Taste of Chaos Tour as headliners. Sanders talks about the band’s formation, their current state, and what’s to come in the future.
When and how did the band get together?
It was November 2006, or was it 2005? [laughs] Let’s just go with 2005, and it was two bands that combined together different musicians and made one band.

What’s it like being a well-known alternative band out of Tallahassee Florida, that’s also known for it’s college town?
I’ve actually grown up here, it’s amazing and just so many supportive kids.

In 2007, you lost band member Jason Lancaster, how did you feel as a band?
We were a band before he was in the band, so I mean we were okay when he left.

Did you struggle at all after losing a band member?
Well he left in the middle of tour [laughs], so that was really hard but we got back home in Tallahassee and figured out what we needed to do so everything worked out in the end.

The new album, Anywhere But Here was released in October 2009.What inspired you the most while writing this album?
We are on tour 80%-90% of the year, so about 8 months out of the year [laughs] so we wrote while being on tour, and all the songs were based on the feeling of being away from home, relationships, family etc.

How did the fans respond to your new album?
I really didn’t know what to expect because of everything, but I hope that the fans enjoy our album and I’m really looking forward to playing the new songs on Take Action Tour.

You leave Sunday (January 24th) to co-headline Take Action Tour 2010, is there anything else that fans should keep an eye out for?
We are going to be doing Warped Tour 2010 also, and I’m really looking forward to that. I’m not really sure about any other tours that we may be doing right now, but fans should definitely keep an eye out.

You recently have switched from Fearless to Atlantic records, why did you make the switch?
We have always talked to Atlantic, and actually did before we talked to Fearless but they told us to sign to another label first and then they would take us on. We were really excited to sign to Atlantic, and really excited to finally be able to tour in a bus.

That being said, how does it feel to tour in a bus rather than van?
Amazing! Touring on a bus is seriously so much fun, and touring in a van can make things a lot harder. Plus now I can finally sleep! [laughs] but even just sleeping helps with the way we perform and write.

I’m friends with your guitar tech, Nick Froelich, and he mentioned to me you a big fan of reading. Who’s your favorite author?
[Laughs] I wouldn’t say I have a favorite author or anything, but I will say that I love reading a series by Stephen King but I’m a pretty big nerd so I would have to say that I do enjoy the Harry Potter books.

Where are you hoping to see yourself or the band in 5 years?
I would really love to see us not only a band but still touring in a bus, and doing an arena tour would be incredible!

Do you have any advice for inspiring musicians who want to make it in the music industry?
My advice would be to work hard and dedicate yourself 100% to the band, push yourself harder and harder, and never give up. We got where we are now from following Warped Tour in 2006 and handing out our CD’s to people in the lines.