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.
Falling Down
MxPx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're only paranoid cause you know what you're doing
You know what you've done and what you're about to do
The conspiracy to your inconsistency
Could it be your spirit's dead?
Why do you run away when faced with these questions?
I know you know it
But you just won't say you built this conformist system
You built this state and now you're falling down
Your education teaches us not to resist
Subjects don't question kings
It disrespect, they slam you in the face with their fist
You'll do anything to keep from falling down!
The lyrics to MxPx's song "Falling Down" are a criticism of those in power who are only concerned with maintaining their power and suppressing any resistance or dissent. The first line "You're only interested when our power's threatened" suggests that those in power are only paying attention to what's happening when they feel that their power is being challenged or threatened. The second line "You're only paranoid 'cause you know what you're doing" implies that they know that what they're doing is wrong and that's why they are paranoid about anyone questioning them.
The next few lines "You know what you've done and what you're about to do, the conspiracy to your inconsistency" suggest that the person in power is aware of their own inconsistency and that there is a larger conspiracy at play that they're a part of. The following lines "Could it be your spirit's dead? Why do you run away when faced with these questions?" imply that the person in power is lacking in moral character and is unable to face the repercussion of their actions.
The final lines of the song "Your education teaches us not to resist. Subjects don't question kings. It disrespect, they slam you in the face with their fist. You'll do anything to keep from falling down!" suggest that our education system is set up to discourage resistance and questioning authority, and those who do question authority are met with violence. Overall, the song is a critique of those in power who are more interested in maintaining their power than doing what's right.
Line by Line Meaning
You're only interested when our power's threatened
You only show concern when our authority is in danger.
You're only paranoid cause you know what you're doing
You exhibit unwarranted suspicion because you are aware of your own actions.
You know what you've done and what you're about to do
You are conscious of your past and future choices.
The conspiracy to your inconsistency
The secret plan to your irregularity.
Could it be your spirit's dead?
Is it possible that your essence is lifeless?
Why do you run away when faced with these questions?
Why do you evade facing these inquiries?
I know you know it
I am aware that you possess this knowledge.
But you just won't say you built this conformist system
But you refuse to admit that you created this system of conformity.
You built this state and now you're falling down
You constructed this establishment and now you are experiencing a downfall.
Your education teaches us not to resist
Your schooling instructs us not to oppose.
Subjects don't question kings
Subordinates do not interrogate rulers.
It's disrespect, they slam you in the face with their fist
You are met with violence as a result of your lack of reverence.
You'll do anything to keep from falling down!
You will make any effort to prevent your collapse!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MIKE GOMMERINGER, PHILLIP RAUENBUSCH, RAYMOND GARVEY, SEBASTIAN PADOTZKE, UWE BOSSERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind