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.
Circumstance
MxPx Lyrics
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You make just enough to scrape by
You pay the rent, and your check is spent
Where did last weekend go
You wasted all your flow and you don't
remember where it went
Drinking smoking cigarettes
Thinking losing self-esteem.
How can this be, happening?
You might have the temporary, superficial happiness
that you buy with money you don't have.
Do you tell yourself, it's just the first time or maybe the last time
Which is your circumstance
Life is not a job or a career.
Living is not smoking and drinking beer
A gift to receive and not to take
The free thinking choice is yours to make
The song "Circumstance" by MxPx may seem like an upbeat punk rock anthem, but it actually contains deep introspection and commentary on modern society. The lyrics talk about how people often get stuck in a cycle of working just enough to pay bills and feed basic necessities, without truly living their lives. The song asks if this is truly the life that they want, if they are truly happy with their circumstances.
The first verse is particularly telling as it talks about how a person's paycheck is often spent before they even know where it went, indicating that they are not truly in control of their financial situation. The second verse is even more poignant as it talks about how people can get lost in bad habits like drinking and smoking, all while still being in debt and losing confidence in themselves. The chorus serves as a warning that superficial happiness can only last for so long, and that each person's circumstance is their own responsibility.
MxPx's "Circumstance" is not just about personal responsibility, but it also serves as a commentary on the way society is set up. The song seems to be calling out the idea that life is only about working and consuming, and that there is more to living than just scraping by. It encourages listeners to think about the choices they make, and to strive for something more than just temporary happiness.
Overall, "Circumstance" is a powerful song that encourages listeners to reflect on their lives and think about what they truly want. It serves as a reminder that every person has the power to change their own circumstances, and that living a fulfilling life is about making conscious choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you happy with your life?
Do you truly feel content with your current existence?
You make just enough to scrape by
You earn barely enough money to get by each month.
You pay the rent, and your check is spent
Your paycheck covers only your rent and is gone soon after.
Where did last weekend go
You are uncertain about how you spent your last two days off work.
You wasted all your flow and you don't remember where it went
You spent all your money but don't recall what you spent it on.
Drinking smoking cigarettes
Your habits involve consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
Working but you're still in debt
You have a job, but you still have financial obligations that you cannot meet.
Thinking losing self-esteem
You're slowly losing self-worth and confidence in yourself.
How can this be, happening?
You're questioning how your life ended up like this.
You might have the temporary, superficial happiness that you buy with money you don't have.
Your happiness is potentially only temporary and shallow, as it is dependent on spending money you don't actually possess.
Do you tell yourself, it's just the first time or maybe the last time
You may rationalize your actions as a one-time thing or believe it won't happen again.
Which is your circumstance
The situation you find yourself in is the result of the choices you've made.
Life is not a job or a career.
One's existence is more than just their occupation and professional pursuits.
Living is not smoking and drinking beer
A satisfying and fulfilling life is not solely based on harmful habits like alcohol and cigarette use.
A gift to receive and not to take
Life is a blessing to cherish and accept, not to exploit or misuse.
The free thinking choice is yours to make
You have the freedom to think critically and make your own choices.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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