A Dirty Dozen with BAD MARY – August 2026

According to a recent press release: “Long Island-based punk rock provocateurs Bad Mary are kicking off a new chapter with their brand-new original song and video, “Mouth Fulla Fire.” The track marks the first official taste of the band’s forthcoming album, Stitched, with additional releases and visuals rolling out in the months ahead. In addition to bassist Mike Staub, Bad Mary is fronted by powerhouse vocalist Amanda Mac, with Bill Mac (drums), and David Henderson (guitar). Known for their high-energy shows and fearless songs, the band continues to bring a punk rock attitude with emotional grit. Bad Mary’s mission remains unchanged: have fun, make noise, and create positive spaces where people can come together through music.” We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

It’s a song we’ve been working on for a long time. It’s a little bit of a different avenue for us. It’s a bit heavier, a bit darker in tone. As for hidden nuggets? There always there… following up on many of the themes we’ve been working through since The Return of Space Girl (2019). It’s called “Mouth Fulla Fire” and it’s the first official taste of our forthcoming EP, Stitched. We have more songs and visuals rolling out in the months ahead. This song has been brewing for a long time, it took us about a year to write, refine, and record. Sometimes that’s just how it goes. It’s a frustrated, angry reaction to how social media has programmed us and how endless doomscrolling can blind us to the incredible creativity happening all around us. It’s about the texts you dread, the constant barrage of negativity online, and that overwhelming urge to launch a fireball at all of it.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Playing music live always does it. We all come from different artistic backgrounds, but being together and playing live as a band, that energy, that response is like nothing else.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

We’re a multi-generational band – so it’s different for all of us. Amanda grew up doing rock and roll theater and musicals like Rocky Horror or Hedwig and the Angry Inch are massive inspirations for her. Mike is a 90s punk rock guy so Green Day and Rancid. David grew up with AC/DC and Queen, and Bill’s a 60’s guy so it’s always The Beatles but also bands like Vanilla Fudge.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Amanda would say Kesha. But honestly anyone who’d want to work with us. If our music speaks to you? Shoot us a message. We also want to somehow get involved with wresting, how do we do that?

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Amanda’s an actress so she does theater, recently playing Maureen in Rent and The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot. Mike is a gamer he even runs a retrogame convention here on Long Island. So a lot of video games, Magic Cards, D&D, etc. David reads a ton of books, but also does incredible visual art and graphic design. Bill plays more music! He’s always playing. We all love movies and TV and have very strong opinions about science fiction.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It’s really inspired by lower east side 1970’s punk rock / rock and roll. But it’s also got a healthy dosage of Anime / Saturday Morning Cartoons energy and a whole lotta caffeine. There’s a bit of Nerdcore int here too. Each of us kinda has our own style, and we blend it together. Punky, Punchy, with a solid rock and roll education. As for cringe? Nah, we’re not like that. If you come to us with a comparison that’s complementary – we’re all for it. We love to hear what people take away from it.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Mike and David both cook really well! David used to make burgers at each of our rehearsals when we first got started. Mike’s got the whole Italian thing going on, so he can make a lot of that kind of food. Bill’s always playing music and Amanda’s always singing or brainstorming some idea for a video or something. She also plays Ukulele a bit.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Lisa Loeb liked my post about her last week and that was pretty awesome… I (Amanda) love Lisa Loeb.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Performing live is the absolute best part about being a musician, nothing beats it. As for a different job? Amanda would be a stage actress, Mike some kind of video game influencer, David IS a professor, and Bill would find a way to play drums.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

We promise this isn’t a cop out, but we have no idea, LOL! We’re not tired of any questions, we appreciate them all.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

In 2017 we got really distracted by a lot of stuff. We actually had a big conversation about it which was difficult. We locked in after that and that’s what led us to write The Return of Space Girl and lock in and go to Japan the first time.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Queen Live at Wembly probably. The energy was insane. Also it’s very much in the vein of how we perform and it would mean we saw it live!! Though David may have seen it live, I’d have to ask him.

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Category: Interviews