“Envision Liza Minnelli as a punk rocker. Dancy, punchy, polished, bright. Amanda Mac’s vocals command our attention” –Loudwomen.org
Alternative-glam-punk band Bad Mary teams up with fellow Long Islanders Mega Infinity for a limited edition split 7-inch single, Mega Bad Disaster Party. Each band contributes two newly recorded tracks, set for release on the digital streaming platforms via SPI (Ska Punk International) on December 3, with a vinyl release to follow in early 2025. Pre-save it here: https://li.sten.to/megabaddisasterparty
Bad Mary consists of Amanda Mac (vocals), Mike Staub (bass/vocals), Bill Mac (drums), and David Henderson (guitar).
Staub explains, “When we reached out to SPI about possibly doing an EP and adding some ska elements to our songs, they suggested collaborating with Mega Infinity. We’ve been friends with Mega for a decade, and they’re part of our Long Island band family. As a classically trained trumpet player (yuck… I know), it’s been exciting to bring in horns. Working with longtime friends and talented musicians like Kevin Jackson and Maggie Buckley has been amazing. We’re jokingly calling our horn section ‘The Bad Pizza Crisis’ since Kevin is from Crisis Crayons and Maggie from The Samurai Pizza Cats, two bands we love—they’re like family to us.”
Regarding the new tracks, Staub shares, “One of them is ‘Disaster(er) Party.’ The original ‘Disaster Party’ was written for The Return of Space Girl album, and I always envisioned it with horns. We’ve been playing it live with Kevin Jackson (from Title Holder and Crisis Crayons), who created a horn part for it. It’s always a crowd favorite live, but finally, I get to play trumpet on it with Bad Mary—that’s a first for me.”
The second track, “Want What I Want,” was written by guitarist Henderson: “I wrote this while crossing the street on my way to work. It’s about not caring what others think and doing what you want. Live life, be kind, and have fun.”
On the split 7-inch, Mega Infinity adds their tracks “Eyelids 2024” (featuring Joystick!) and “Let Me Drive My Van Into Your Heart.”
Mega Infinity is comprised of Michi and Mike DiGiulio. The band released their EP Behind Glass Walls in 2017 and their debut album Rainbow Heartache in December 2021. They joined Ska Punk International with their 2023 EP Chaos Magick, which was named a favorite by Punk News and On the Upbeat. Touring the Midwest, Southwest, and East Coast, they’ve shared stages with bands like The Toasters, Mephiskapheles, and Littlest Man Band (led by Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish). They are featured in the ska documentary This is New Tone as a part of ska punk’s future, Mega Infinity also champions safe spaces for the LGBTQ community and women.
Michi shares, “‘Eyelids’ was written for an EP years ago, influenced by ska punk, riot grrrl, and bands like Catch 22, Veruca Salt, and Big D and the Kids Table, alongside our contemporaries in Bad Mary. We stopped playing it after our original guitarist left, but it always deserved a revival. With Joystick! featured and our current guitarist emphasizing our ska punk influences, the new arrangement feels like a tribute to both our inspirations and friends.”
She adds, “These songs helped bring Bad Mary and Mega Infinity together in 2015. I’ve seen Bad Mary play them countless times, but these new versions are cleaner, more aggressive, and harder-hitting. We’ve played so many shows together, and our community has been strong. Maybe these songs will connect with someone else who needs that same sense of belonging.”
Bad Mary has received airplay on SiriusXM’s Underground Garage, earning the New Music Spotlight and Coolest Song in the World titles. The band released Better Days in 2014, followed by the EPs Killing Dinosaurs (2016), We Could Have Saved the World (2016), and Glitter Bomb (2017). Their 2019 album, The Return of Space Girl inspired an award-winning animated movie. In 2022, they released Rock and Roll Classics Vol. 6 and Vol. 7, and in 2023, an all-new EP, Trash and Glamour. Their latest release, Better(er) Days, arrived in 2024. “Sometimes you just want to skip the nonsense and get straight to the rock,” says Folk N Rock.
For the past decade, Bad Mary’s rebellious lyrics and infectious energy have made waves. The band is currently writing and recording new material, set for release in 2025.
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