Originally formed under the moniker Magnified Plaid whilst members were still attending high school, the band drew early inspiration from the likes of the Descendents, Black Flag and a host of skate punk bands. With vocalist/bassist Mike Herrera, drummer Yuri Ruley, and guitarist Andy Husted, MxPx made their album debut with “Pokinatcha” issued in 1994 by Tooth & Nail Records. The album introduced the band’s leaning towards Christian punk with influences from hardcore punk and skate/surf punk.
Andy Husted left the group after "Pokinatcha" and was replaced by guitarist Tom Wisiniewski, who recorded on MxPx’s two subsequent Tooth & Nail releases “Teenage Politics” in 1995 and “Life in General” in 1996. The latter album features the hugely popular single “Chick Magnet”, and the subsequent “Move to Bremerton”, which found the group appearing on MTV. By this time MxPx were moving away from the religious themes in their music, which is apparent on the 1998 album “Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo” – the band’s major label debut on A&M. The album reached No. 99 on the Billboard 200 and led to the compilation of rarities and B-sides “Let it Happen” in 1998.
MxPx’s fifth studio album “The Ever Passing Moment” was released in 2000 and earned the group significant critical acclaim. The band promoted the album on the Conspiracy of One tour supporting The Offspring and Cypress Hill, before issuing their most successful album “Before Everything & After” in 2003. Once again released on A&M the album peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard 200.
After signing with SideOne Dummy Records in 2005, MxPx released “Panic” the same year, aided by the radio single “Heard That Sound”. After supporting the album touring alongside Reel Big Fish in 2006, the band dropped the record “Let’s Rock” featuring previously unreleased material dating from 2000.
MxPx returned to Tooth & Nail Records in 2007 and subsequently released the album “Secret Weapon” in 2003, and “On the Cover II” in 2009. The band went on to launch their own label Rock City Recording Company, through which they released the EP “Left Coast Punk”, the Christmas release “Punk Rawk Christmas”, and their 20th anniversary ninth studio album “Plans Within Plans” in 2012.
Since 1992 Magnified Plaid, er, MxPx have been bringing their blend of pop-punk to clubs, DYI venues, and Warped Tours.
With 9 albums and a handful of EPs under their belt it’s not hard to find songs to fill their set lists with. While they have over 100 songs in their catalog you can always expect to hear a handful of classics at each one of their shows. “Punk Rawk Show” from their sophomore record ‘Teenage Politics’ is a live show staple. From their most popular album ‘Life In General’ you’ll here “Move to Bremerton” and “Chick Magnet” at every MxPx show.
Bassist and frontman Mike Herrera looks like the punk rock guy your parents warned you about, covered head to toe in tattoos, a raspy voice ala Social Distortion’s Mike Ness, and usually dawning cut off sleeves, but Herrera couldn’t be a nicer guy. He’s one of the kindest and most laid back guys in punk music and he’s as kind as his lyrics are heartfelt.
Most of MxPx’s songs are about girls and heartbreak, but they’re impossible to bring you down as you sing along to infectious chorus’s – go ahead, I dare you not to join Herrera on the “Bum bum doot da’s” on “Chick Magnet.” There’s a reason they’ve been around for over two decades, find out why at one of their shows.