MXPX
Biography
The Christian-themed punk-pop outfit MxPx formed in 1993 in Bremerton, WA. Originally dubbed Magnified Plaid, the group launched while its three members -- vocalist/bassist Mike Herrera, drummer Yuri Ruley, and guitarist Andy Husted -- were still attending high school. The moniker was later shortened to MxPx after Ruley abbreviated the name on some show flyers; poor handwriting saw the periods being interpreted as x's instead, and the name stuck. Wielding an energetic sound that was inspired by the Descendents, NOFX, the group's own Christian faith, and California's skateboard culture, the band wasted little time attracting a local following.
By the time Ruley and his bandmates received their driver's licenses, the trio had already released several 7" singles and a debut album, Pokinatcha, for Tooth & Nail Records in 1994. It quickly became the label's best seller and prompted the release of the band's sophomore effort, Teenage Politics, late the next year. By this time, Husted had been replaced by guitarist Tom Wisniewski, and the group quickly followed the release of Teenage Politics with a short collection of cover songs entitled On the Cover. Popular with the skate/surf community as well as the punk underground (with a snowboard sponsorship to their name), MxPx ultimately broke out of the underground in 1996 with their classic third LP, Life in General. The album included such fan favorites as "Chick Magnet" and "Move to Bremerton."
Though dubbed a Christian punk band, religious themes were never an overbearingly dominant force in the band's songs, as they usually relied on such universal themes as growing up. Furthermore, as MxPx progressed in their career, their songs gravitated toward the secular side of things even further. Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo, the band's debut for major label A&M, appeared in 1998. That fall, they also released the compilation album Let It Happen on their old Tooth and Nail label; the odds-and-sods collection contained B-sides, demos, and other stray tracks. The live recording At the Show showed the band's ability to re-create their spunky music in concert, and The Broken Bones EP appeared 2000 before their next full-length, The Ever Passing Moment, arrived in the spring.
Another effort, The Renaissance EP, was followed two years later with MxPx's first greatest-hits release, Ten Years and Running. The band's next official studio effort came in the form of 2003's Before Everything & After, an album that alienated some fans with its slick, pop-oriented nature. Late 2004 saw the release of a career retrospective DVD, B-Movie, and the guys passed the following summer by returning to the Vans Warped Tour. MxPx then returned to form (and back to the indie leagues) with their seventh studio album, Panic, which surfaced in June 2005 on the Side One Dummy label. MxPx spent summer 2006 on the road with ska-punkers Reel Big Fish before dropping their next record, Let's Rock, that October. Let's Rock was comprised of previously unreleased tracks from recording sessions dating back to 2000. The next month, Tooth & Nail reissued a deluxe version of MxPx's 1998 rarities compilation Let It Happen, including a bonus DVD and several unreleased songs. MxPx then confirmed in early 2007 that they'd re-signed with Tooth & Nail with the intention of releasing their new album that summer, and release it they did, with Secret Weapon hitting stores in the middle of that year. They remained on the roster for the 2009 release of On the Cover II, another covers album that paid tribute to the band's early days while showing their appreciation for the likes of the Clash, Ramones, and the Go-Go's. ~ John Bush & Corey Apar, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Before Everything & After
2003

The Ever Passing Moment
2000

Live At The Show
2000

Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo
1998

Life In General
1996

Pokinatcha
1995

Teenage Politics
1995
One of my favorite memories will always be seeing these guys at Shadrach's in Visalia, CA when I was in college in '95. Intimate setting, good pit, and fun skating behind the venue with the guys after the concert. Very down to earth and just plain decent folks.
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never would have guessed they were associated with cristian music. good band though
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MxPx are better at songwriting than Blink, Offspring, Green Day, etc., and Mike H has a better voice than those bands' singers. I'm not hating on those bands, I have alot of their records, just saying that MxPx is too overlooked by the mainstream.
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Don't use the "Your body is a temple" crap, you are using that WAY out of context...an d Leviticus is old law anyhow. For those siting the bible, do any of you actually pay attention to it?
This is the first rock band I ever listened to, thanks to my friend way back in grade school...so I still love 'em and own all their albums |
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Blah blah blah religion blah blah blah politics. Who cares. Keep rocking. Don't stop loving.
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ok ok OK people... if theres anyone from NJ out there and remembers the days of seeing this guys at BIRCH HILLin old bridge nj... then i salute you punk rock at its FINEST... keep on rockin
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I love the tats & Piercings..v e r y cool & they have a great sound. idk what you all are talking about...its not like Jesus Organized this band
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On the argue ment of christianity and the punk life style. Christianity actualy fits nicely into the punk idealism, except for minor conflict with anarchy and the aceptence of Christ as the true messiah and king. Christianity does although often link well with the more punk and hardcore movements such as straight edge. XXX. Any way punk is more than tatooes and three chord rock,and most do not get it. The view into this world from the out side is the film SLC Punk.
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Ben: Nobody cares what you or "God" think about tattoos. Seriously.
Anyway, they're not bad, I guess. |
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(Biblegatewa y . c o m can be used for all references)
Ben, there's a difference between the ritual law and moral law given to the Isrealites. Peter talked about ritual law in Acts 15:1-11. Paul talks about moral law in Romans 13:8-10, and that law is every bit as applicable today as it was then. Also see Colossians 2:14-17, where it indicates that Christians are no longer under the ritual law. Finally, Romans 15:1-7 (I hope to redirect your passion to the things that truly matter.) |
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don't care if they're christian or not, but it was rather funny that pandora managed to wedge them between circle jerks and the misfits on my punk oriented station! die, die my mxpx!
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Well, apparently God cares about that stuff, or he wouldn't have put stuff about it in the Bible. And, the since these guys claim to be Christians, then they should also listen to what the Bible says about our bodies being God's temple and that we should take care of them. I don't think that putting all kinds of holes or metal in our bodies or putting ink in them is taking care of them. Also, there is a lot of people who don't think that tattoos or piercings are a good thing. |
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I don't like all the tattoos and piercings. (Leviticus 19:28) so I am not a fan...
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its more than "just music", people can send messages with songs. but im not here to argue with u, im here to listen to awesome bands like mxpx! i listen to mostly metal nowadays but mxpx is what really got me hooked on rock at all, and i still love them!! so stop the dissing or shut ur faces!!!!
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Just sit back, shut up, and listen to the music. Who gives a f**k if they are "Christian Punk"? Its just music, like it or don't like it, its your choice.
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punk is not just doin what you want, it is a style of music. and real christians are refusing to compromise with the ways of the world, they live for God
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I'm pretty sure that being "punk" is doing what you want and not giving a s**t what others think about it. If that means you want to be a Christian, what's the big deal?
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I admire people who are willing to open themselved up to criticism because of their style of music. To reach the people, you have to speak the language. Why not glorify God with the style that secular punk rockers already enjoy?
MxPx is definately on my list now! ROCK ON! |
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This crap sucks so bad, no wonder the 90's sucked. Well, not as much as the current punque roque band you listen today, but suck nonetheless. Maybe this was the first sign punk was already dead by 1990. "Christian Punk"? What the hell....
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Someone handed me teenage politics when I was 14 and it changed my taste in music forever. For about a two year span I only listed to mxpx. I have out grown their style of music but still throw it in from time to time.
They really only have like 3 songs that I would consider Christian rock and two are on Pokinatcha. I was well on my way to becoming the atheist I am today while listening to MxPx full time. |
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i dont like it when people say christian punk because christians arent punks never will be if the are their not real christians good band though
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Still rockin'. I just saw them at the Phoenix Theater with my boys and a friend. Rocked my face off! Favorite band ever, period.
They are "Christians in a band" per Mike and Yuri. |
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Never could get into these guys. Christian Punk just never sat well with me. Kind of like candy cigarettes and sparkling grape juice. Rebel, or Don't. Pick one.
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MXPX, ya gotta love christian based 90's punk.
"god saves punks too!" |
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All I used to listen to before this was Gospel stuff like Bebo Norman or Steven Curtis Chapman, MxPx is the first rock band I got into, and I was about 8 I think. Despite what I listen to now, they are still my favorite band of all time.
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exxxxxxxxxxx x x x x x c e l e n t ! one of the best punk bands of the 90's.
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dorian...hah a you crack me up. yeah theyre pretty good...the vocals aren't too strong in some, but the lyrics are pretty original.
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DORIAN: Bad Religion? You obviously don't listen to either band, they sound nothing alike. Mxpx is indeed still putting out sweet albums, their style has changed, but I think that's good. ONe of the first punk-style bands I ever liked, great skate-rock, I too have a very soft spot for them. Own every album, and they're sweet live!!
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Wanabe Bad Religion christian losers, otherwise they are not so bad when you listen to them.
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