One would not think a concept as ancient as Bushido, the Japanese code of honor, would have much in common with modern day karaoke.

Ted Stevens, founder of the band Mayday, says the two concepts are basically unconnected, aside from their Japanese origins, but that is what makes them appropriate for the title of his band¡s newest album.

They¡re so unrelated. I thought it¡d be a great title,Œ Stevens says.

The songs on Bushido Karaoke,Πwhich have been compared to the teenage death ballads of the 1950s, deal with somewhat dire concepts, such as death, drugs and greed.

They¡re pretty morbid topics with a slightly humorous twist,Œ Stevens says.

The first song of the album, Pelf Help,Πis one especially inspired by the songs from the 1950s, Stevens says.

There¡s this romanticized notion of teenage death and recklessness and abandonment that was romanticized in the 50s,Œ he says.

But, Stevens says, Bushido was fitting because there is still a sense of hope in the afterlife and an undying will to survive.Œ

What happens on the way down after the impact?ΠStevens says.

The band incorporated the karaoke theme into Bushido KaraokeΠwith a few covers and several different songwriters and vocalists. Stevens says Mayday really wanted to push the karaoke feel, but in order to take the idea to its absolute fullest, a different vocalist would have had to have been used for each song.

I wasn¡t quite willing to go that far,Œ he says.

Bushido Karaoke,Œ Mayday¡s third full-length album, is a composite of the band¡s music so far. Stevens says the group¡s first album was totally a studio recording and their second album was a home recording.

This one is half-way between each,Πhe says.

It was done at home, but with a computer and nicer gear.Œ

Mayday, which is based out of Nebraska, is a side project for Stevens, who is also a member of the band Cursive.

Unfortunately, Cursive takes the precedence all the time because I feel like we¡ve all made the commitment,Œ he says.

All of our other side projects and life projects come to a halt.Œ