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.
Drowning
MxPx Lyrics
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There's no more room inside my head
The world around me slowly fades away
As I close my eyes and think
The shadows blot my memories
Of all the thing I've tried and failed today
If all the lies you said to me were true
And the face that I saw wasn't really you
I feel like drowning deep down in the sea
I feel like drowning, don't bother coming after me
I feel like drowning way down in my false memories
I feel like drowning
With blankets wrapped around so tight
That in my dreams, my hands are tied
Now I'm slow-mo running for the door
I've got no clue where it leads
But my lungs need some air to breathe
My eyelids shutter then fall to the floor
Please don't go, first I need to know
If all the lies you said to me were true
And the face that I saw wasn't really you
I feel like drowning deep down in the sea
I feel like drowning, don't bother coming after me
I feel like drowning way down in my false memories
I feel like drowning
We all reach that dark and fragile destination sometimes
Looking for direction for the light to fill our eyes, fill our eyes
Please don't go, first I need to know
If all the lies you said to me were true
And the face that I saw wasn't really you
I feel like drowning deep down in the sea
I feel like drowning, don't bother coming after me
I feel like drowning way down in my false memories
I feel like drowning
The lyrics to MxPx's "Drowning" depict a sense of hopelessness and resignation that resonates with many listeners. The first verse sets the tone with the image of the singer being overwhelmed by the world around them and seeking solace in sleep. But even there, they are haunted by their failures and doubts, and the shadows of their memories threaten to engulf them.
The second verse takes a more concrete, physical turn, as the singer dreams of being bound and seeking escape. Although they don't know where they are going, they feel that they need to get away, to breathe some fresh air. The chorus repeats the refrain of feeling like drowning, which serves as an apt metaphor for the sensation of being overwhelmed and suffocated by one's own thoughts and circumstances.
The bridge offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer acknowledges that everyone reaches a "dark and fragile destination" at some point in their lives, and encourages listeners to look for direction and seek out the light. However, the final chorus returns to the drowning imagery, suggesting that even though the struggle may be universal, the singer still feels lost and unable to find their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Switch the light off, go to bed
It's time to sleep
There's no more room inside my head
Feeling overwhelmed and tired
The world around me slowly fades away
Ready to slip into sleep and forget the world
As I close my eyes and think
Reflecting on past failures and regrets
The shadows blot my memories
Negative thoughts clouding the mind
Of all the thing I've tried and failed today
Reflecting on unsuccessful attempts
Please don't go, first I need to know
Desperate for answers and truth
If all the lies you said to me were true
Questioning the honesty of someone else
And the face that I saw wasn't really you
Feeling deceived or hurt by someone
I feel like drowning deep down in the sea
Feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by problems
I feel like drowning, don't bother coming after me
Wanting to be left alone to deal with struggles
I feel like drowning way down in my false memories
Memories and thoughts that are not true or accurate causing distress
With blankets wrapped around so tight
Feeling constricted and trapped
That in my dreams, my hands are tied
Lack of control and freedom
Now I'm slow-mo running for the door
Desire to escape and be free
I've got no clue where it leads
Uncertainty and fear in making changes
But my lungs need some air to breathe
Seeking relief and clarity
My eyelids shutter then fall to the floor
Falling asleep and letting go of anxieties
We all reach that dark and fragile destination sometimes
Experiencing difficult times and emotions
Looking for direction for the light to fill our eyes, fill our eyes
Seeking guidance and positivity to overcome struggles
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MICHAEL ARTHUR HERRERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind