MxPx started as three 15-year-old kids calling themselves Magnified Plaid pounding out music inspired by and similar to The Descendents and other Southern California punk rock bands. They didn’t really love their band name, however, which was a tribute to the original guitarist’s penchant for wearing one particularly loud plaid shirt. Consequently, the name was abbreviated to M.P., but in Yuri’s handwriting, periods become “X“‘s and since he made up the show posters for the band, the four-letter moniker stuck.
Andy Husted, the former guitarist, left the band in 1995 to continue college.
Andy was replaced by Tom to solidify the line-up that would take the band into their post-teen years. Maybe Tom’s background as a drummer made up for his relative inexperience playing guitar (he had only played for a year at the time). He and Yuri lock into backbreakingly fast rhythms that rank with vintage Minor Threat for speed and percussive attack. Mike then adds to the mix his signature sing-along melodies that call to mind SoCal punk bands from the early ’80s.
Bremerton had been a town most famous for its naval shipyards until MxPx caught the attention of Tooth & Nail Records when they played a “showcase” for the T&N label in 1993 in Herrera’s parents’ garage. Mike Herrera had practiced so much before the first show, he lost his voice.
MxPx released three albums with Tooth & Nail Records: Pokinatcha in 1994, Teenage Politics in 1995, and Life in General in 1996. After a falling out with Tooth & Nail, MxPx left the label and signed with A&M Records.
In July 2010 drummer Yuri Ruley announced he would be retiring from the band to focus on his family. Ruley played his last show with the band in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 18, 2010. In a recent video message from Mike, he stated that Tom and Yuri have both finished touring full time, but will continue to play one-off shows with the band.
Americanism
MxPx Lyrics
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Cause they've taken everything
Was it for the money?
Or is political power to blame?
Would you die for your country?
False freedom and liberty
They're lying when they tell us
This is the home of brave and land of the free
Why aren't we against them?
Cause we know that they are wrong
We're the biggest faction
And they've had control too long
Americanism, nationalism, bow to the flagism!
Militaristic, egotistic, high class and capitalistic!
In MxPx's song "Americanism," the band is taking a critical look at the state of American society and government. The first verse is a rhetorical question asking if those in power have gotten everything they want, and whether their actions were motivated by greed or the pursuit of political power. The chorus is a scathing commentary on the false patriotism present in American society, where citizens are expected to blindly follow their government regardless of the consequences. The line "false freedom and liberty" suggests that these values are being used as a smokescreen to hide the true motives of those in power. The song continues with an indictment of American exceptionalism, pointing out the contradictions between the country's stated values of bravery and freedom and the reality of its militarism and capitalism.
MxPx is known for their politically charged lyrics, and "Americanism" is no exception. The song was released in 1998, during the presidency of Bill Clinton, and some of the lyrics reflect the political climate of the time. However, the themes addressed in the song are still relevant today, particularly in light of the current political climate in the United States. The band's criticism of blind patriotism, militarism, and capitalism are issues that are still being discussed and debated in American society today.
Line by Line Meaning
Have they got what they wanted?
Have the people in power achieved their goals?
Cause they've taken everything
Because they have taken away so much from the people
Was it for the money?
Was it for financial gain?
Or is political power to blame?
Or is it because of the corrupt political system?
Would you die for your country?
Would you be willing to sacrifice your life for your nation?
False freedom and liberty
The idea of freedom and liberty is not truly genuine
They're lying when they tell us
The people in power are not truthful
This is the home of brave and land of the free
This country is portrayed as a place of courage and freedom
Why aren't we against them?
Why are we not standing up against those in power?
Cause we know that they are wrong
Because we are aware that their actions and beliefs are incorrect
We're the biggest faction
We have the largest group of supporters
And they've had control too long
The people in power have had control for an excessive amount of time
Americanism, nationalism, bow to the flagism!
The idea of patriotism is becoming excessive
Militaristic, egotistic, high class and capitalistic!
The nation is geared towards military might, ego, social status and financial gain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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