MXPX

MxPx is a Christian punk rock[4] band that officially formed in Bremerton, Washington, United States in 1992. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles.

All the members of the band are Christians, and this is reflected in some of the band's songs. However, they prefer not to be called a Christian band.[5]. On the topic of their faith Mike Herrera was quoted saying "We are Christian. It’s not a cult or something. It’s part of our story and I guess it’s different and controversial. But it’s a personal thing. It’s what we choose to believe. That’s all there is to it. We don’t preach to anyone." [6].

The band's current lineup includes Mike Herrera on bass guitar and vocals, Tom Wisniewski on guitar, and Yuri Ruley on drums. The band has only had one major lineup change, early in their career, when founding guitarist Andy Husted left the band after the release of their first record and was replaced by Wisniewski.
History
Early

MxPx began with the name Magnified Plaid. Initially, they started playing music inspired by Descendents, NOFX and other Southern California skate punk bands. The trio—Mike Herrera, Yuri Ruley, and Andy Husted—were classmates at Central Kitsap High School in nearby Silverdale, WA and were 15 years old when they formed. The name was a tribute to the original guitarist's fascination with plaid shirts but did not fit on the band's posters. Consequently, the name was abbreviated to M.P. But in Yuri Ruley's handwriting, periods appeared as "X"'s, and since he made up the show posters for the band, the four-letter moniker stuck.[7]
Tooth & Nail Years

MxPx caught the attention of Tooth & Nail Records when they played a showcase for the label in 1993 in Herrera's parents' back yard. Mike Herrera had practiced so much before the first show that he lost his voice.[citation needed] Their first major album, Pokinatcha (1994), was released while the band members were still in high school. The album, though classified as christian punk, incorporated the quick styles of hardcore punk.

Guitarist Andy Husted soon left the band and was replaced by Tom Wisniewski. MxPx released two further albums with Tooth & Nail: Teenage Politics in 1995, and Life in General in 1996. They then received a major distribution deal with A&M Records. This deal first saw a re-release of Life In General. MxPx then released two more studio albums jointly distributed by Tooth & Nail and A&M: Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo in 1998, and The Ever Passing Moment in 2000. Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo would be last album to incorporate hardcore punk for some years and with the release of The Ever Passing Moment, the band used frequent pop punk styles. MxPx had fulfilled their contract obligations with Tooth & Nail and decided to part ways.
Changes

Before Everything & After in 2003 was released exclusively by A&M, and marked a radical departure from their old sound.[citation needed] In 2005, MxPx was dropped by A&M, signed with SideOneDummy Records, and released their seventh full-length album Panic.

In September 2006, MxPx and the City of Bremerton started a marketing effort revolving around the band's song "Move to Bremerton". Bremerton's Community Renewal Agency secured rights for the song to be played in a promotional website for the city, and MxPx played a concert at the downtown Admiral Theatre on September 16, 2006 with local bands The Divorce and Ruxton Towers. The band was also given keys to the city by Mayor Cary Bozeman in recognition of their contributions to Bremerton.[8][9]

MxPx spent the majority of 2005 and 2006 touring in support of their 7th album Panic. On November 21, 2006, Tooth & Nail Records re-released "Let It Happen", an earlier rarities compilation, in a "Deluxe Edition" which included a bonus DVD featuring 12 music videos, new artwork, and two new songs.

Let's Rock, MxPx's second rarities album, was released on Side One Dummy Records on October 24, 2006. The album consists of many previously unreleased songs, re-recorded b-sides and acoustic demos.
Return to Tooth & Nail

In March 2007, MxPx played at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas. From May through June they headlined the Tooth and Nail Tour, also featuring Hawk Nelson, The Classic Crime, The Fold, Sullivan, Project 86, and Run Kid Run. In the same year their eighth studio album, Secret Weapon, was released. It marked the band's return to Tooth and Nail Records, as well as the first album to use a hardcore punk sound since Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo nine years earlier. In an interview with Christianitytoday.com Herrera said the band was now free to get back into more of the Christian Market.[10] In promotion for the album MxPx was featured on the labels of 120 limited edition Jones Soda bottles.

Drummer Yuri Ruley told ThePunkSite.com that MxPx planned to start writing and recording a ninth album in January 2009,[11] but Mike Herrera more recently stated that there were no immediate plans to do so.[12]

A six-song EP entitled Left Coast Punk EP was released on November 17.[13] A Christmas album, titled Punk Rawk Christmas, was also released on December 1, 2009.[14][15]

In late 2009 a United Kingdom tour will feature Jamie Hand (ex-drummer of The Wildhearts) filling in for drums as Yuri takes time off.
MxPx All Stars

In late 2009, Mike Herrera teamed up with frontman of The Ataris, Kris Roe and the drummer of The Summer Obsession, Chris Wilson (formerly of Good Charlotte) for the MxPx All Stars tour in Japan and South East Asia. This amazing ensemble conquered cities like Tokyo, Yokohoma, Nagoya, Osaka, Kuala Lumpur and Bandung.[citation needed]
Band lineup

* Mike Herrera – lead vocals, bass, keyboard (1992–present)
* Yuri Ruley – drums (1992–present)
* Tom Wisniewski – guitar, backing vocals (1995–present)

Previous

* Andy Husted – guitar (1992–1995)
Touring Members

* Jamie Hand - drums (2009-present)
Discography
Main article: MxPx discography
Studio albums

* 1994: Pokinatcha
* 1995: Teenage Politics
* 1996: Life in General
* 1998: Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo
* 2000: The Ever Passing Moment
* 2003: Before Everything & After
* 2005: Panic
* 2007: Secret Weapon