Pop punk in the late ‘90s and early aughts brings to mind SoCal bands like Goldfinger, Blink-182, and Lit. Mest was from the outer suburbs of Chicago, yet their sound perfectly encapsulated everything you associated with Southern California pop punk music. With songs like “Cadillac” and “Rooftops,” they became peers with bands like Goldfinger and Good Charlotte on the Warped Tour. They have even had their music featured in a major motion picture.
They released “Masquerade” in January of 2020, just months before the world shut down. As many bands did, they used quarantine to start writing new music and have quite a lot of material ahead.
I spoke with guitarist and front-man Tony Lovato about their soon-to-be released single, a trifecta of upcoming albums, and what it’s like being a punk musician raising kids.”
Kevin: The new single, “When We Were Young,” featuring Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup drops on April 11th along with its video. What can you tell me about the song?
Tony: It’s funny because people are making jokes online because a couple of weeks ago we didn’t have the release date yet. Now, we’ve just released the release date, but we’ve been dropping snippets of the song since… December of 2022? But, we were still in the process of mixing the record and it wasn’t quite ready yet. But, that song, for me as a songwriter, I always loved telling stories and songs that look back. The glory day songs like “Story of My Life” by Social D. I could somehow relate to that song, even though I was only 12.
Tony continued: We always try to write these anthem, timepiece songs, like “Rooftops,” about hanging out on your garage roof, listening to punk rock. So it was that, but also about the next chapter in life, so to speak. It was about thinking back to when you were younger and had dreams, and also what your future and life holds in store as you’re in your 40s.
Kevin: I was just talking to Chuck Robertson from Mad Caddies a few weeks ago, and he’s got so much going on with his life, professionally and personally. I think when people get to their 40s, the misconception is that your life is over. Your job and house and family are set. But there’s still so many things to do and accomplish, like your life is not over.
Tony: Absolutely. I think sometimes people give up in their 30s. I’ve got two stepkids and three of my own, ranging from 16 to three months. And I live in a way vicariously through them. That excitement of everything’s new to them and it’s a good reminder that you only get to be a kid once.
Kevin: Is it difficult to balance being a dad while being a touring musician? Or have you found it easier after so many years of experience?
Tony: My son and my stepson, they can just chill all day and play video games. But then my daughter is going to be two in May. So, balancing that with the newborn is rough, and I got out on the road and my poor wife is the one who holds down the fort. But I have a group of people around me and family that help out. I pretty much live the TV show “Full House.” (laughs)
Kevin: One of the last times I saw you was with Unwritten Law last year at the House of Blues. At one point, you brought your kids out to join you for a song. What’s that like to share your experiences on stage with your family now?
Tony: It’s one of the things I love doing. My stepson was always really nervous and shy to come out, but I’ve been dragging my son on stage since he was a baby; now my stepson has come around and gotten comfortable. For me, Mest and even my earliest bands have always been family oriented. My first band I started when I was seven years old, with my brother and cousin who were both nine; it was a metal band called Falling Angels. Even my tech that works with us lives with me and helps out with the kids.
Kevin: How did the collaboration with Jaret for “When We Were Young” come about? Did you have him in mind when you wrote the song?
Tony: Bowling for Soup and Mest did Warped Tour in ’03 and that’s when I first met him. We’re good friends besides the music business. I’ve known him for 20 years. So, we literally did Warped Tour together “when we were young.” And we had talked about doing a song together for a long time, so when I called him up with the idea he said, “Absolutely.” It was pretty easy.
Kevin: From the quick peek at the video, it looks like you’re surrounded by lots of friends and family. Did any of your kids make it into the video, as well?
Tony: Yeah, Steve Caballero, legendary skateboarder (and Urethane guitarist) and Rick Thorne, legendary BMXer, they make appearances in the video. And at one point it’s us three standing together and then it gets away to what’s supposed to be younger versions of ourselves in the same position. My stepson’s on the bike, my son is playing me in the middle, and then my buddy’s kid playing Rick. And that’s actually the cover of the record.
Kevin: Speaking of Cab and Thorne, did you guys all meet on Warped Tour back in the day?
Tony: I met Rick on Warped Tour. I think I met Cab at shows, because he’s always been a huge music fan. I asked him for a photo maybe in 2019, not even realizing he was a fan of us. But then he left a comment once that our song “Chelsea” was his favorite Mest song. So, I knew he must be a fan because that’s a pretty deep cut. He was in Japan when I called him and asked if he wanted to be in the new video. He drove an hour and 20 minutes after landing from Japan, just to come shoot the video.
Kevin: With the new single and video, does this mean a new album is forthcoming?
Tony: So, my buddy Taylor Carroll, who’s the drummer for Lit, and I got together and started writing new songs. We knew these had to be classic Mest-style songs – he’s a bit younger than me and grew up listening to our albums so he knew exactly what I was looking for. Lyrically, it’s my favorite record. It deals with a lot of the things I went through over the past couple years. It’s like self-therapy for me. We have a song called “Parking Lot.” The last line of the chorus is, “I changed the world to the word that I forgot was (Vans Warped Tour founder) Kevin’s (Lyman) parking lot.” And then there’s darker themes like a song called “Hate You Sober.”
Kevin: Are you able to discuss a title or release date?
Tony: The release date is May 31st. The title of the first LP is “Youth.” It’s a three-part album, and this will be the first part.
Kevin: I once heard a rumor that your self-titled album was co-produced by Young MC?
Tony: (laughs) No, we did work with him on a few songs, but it was actually “Destination Unknown.” He did some production on “Cadillac” and “Mother’s Prayer.” And he’s even in the “Cadillac” music video doing some scratching. He was friends with John Feldmann (Goldfinger lead singer, and previous Mest producer).
Although the new single, “When We Were Young,” doesn’t drop until April 11th, be sure to go ahead and pre-save on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you stream music.
Come see Mest play their first time ever with Steve Caballero and Urethane, along with Venomous Pinks at Havasu Meltdown 2024 in Lake Havasu City, AZ on April 13th.
