Speak up!
Band of the hour: MAYDAY!
No need to scream at us, MAYDAY!, we already like you.
Mayday.
By Rayme Samuels
MAYDAY! manifests an undeniable star power. The dynamic alt hip-hop band has collaborated with Cee-Lo and shared stages with the likes of Daft Punk, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Method Man, winning over audiences around the country. Within two days of posting their video for hit song "Groundhog Day" on YouTube, MAYDAY! received over 2 million hits. The song then got picked up on HBO's hit series Entourage. And that leaves fans wondering, "Can we be in their entourage?"
For this six member outfit, the mission is to make sure the world realizes that musicians from this city can compete culturally with the best of them. "No doubt, it takes a real talented group to break here. We feel very lucky to have earned our stripes here. We played nightclubs for a year before we got a real movement behind us. Now it's like a speeding locomotive, the crowds don't stop coming," said vocalist Berniz. Currently in the laboratory recording their sophomore album, MAYDAY! will continue the journey as they play around the city and state in preparation for a national tour next summer.
Founding members Berniz and Plex on keyboard met during the aftermath of the notorious Hurricane Andrew. The rest of the members, Wrekonize on vocals, Primo on bass, Gianni Cah on turntables and percussion and L.T. Hopkins on drums, came later to round out the sextet. "Wrek and I have more of a pop sensibility in the stuff we write than Plex does. He usually brings more theory and science to the mix," said Berniz about how they do what they do. He continued, "It's really the combination or balance of the two that gives us our unique sound."
Without a doubt, fierce beats and slick production hype up their performances. But it's the depth of their lyrics that keep people coming back for more. Berniz explains, "The most inspiring thing about music to us is the unknown, and how you can start not knowing where a song or riff will take you until suddenly your memory and musical sensibilities start to show themselves and manifest into the piece. It's pretty dope... like magic every time."
For more info, visit www.myspace.com/FirstDayofMay
Published: 11/08
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What you said
Posted on Thu, 01.28.2010 @ 02:59
I finally turned old enough to get into clubs recently and my boyfriend insisted that i go with him to see mayday. I agreed despite the fact that his taste in music is sometimes questionable (he likes huey lewis and the news and Brittany Spears among other crappy artists). Well i was thinking that maybe mayday was a good band despite that... my boyfriend does like some good music too after all (i said to myself). They sucked... they reallllyyy sucked. I LOVE hip hop ...and they try..(hardly) to be be hip hop but they sound like redneck fools with their brainless pseudo rock dominating the sound. I broke up with my boyfriend after that night... i always knew he was lame...i left and took a taxi home rather than endure that crappy band mayday... Read more
I saw Mayday at Transit Lounge and I must say I really do not understand why these guys receive this much attention. The musicians lack the ability to make tasteful music. The MC's are legit. However, the instrumentalists backing them up need serious help. Its unfortunate that the lyricism was undermined by the horrible keyboard playing and uncontrolled noise overpowering the vocals. I suggest that you don't waste your money on a night out to watch Mayday. I gave one star because no star and/or negative stars were not available options.... Read more
MAYDAY! is coming up. Definitely one of the most innovative and eclectic bands I have heard out of Miami. If your a lover of LIVE music, no matter what genre, you'll dig what they're putting down. They take bits and pieces of Hip-hop, Rock, Funk, and several other music forms and blend it together in with a very energetic presence. Don't Pass on up their live shows, or a chance to pick up one of their albums... Read more
