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.
Misunderstanding
MxPx Lyrics
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He just won't listen to advice
It's in God's book but he don't want to look
His friends say it's so uncool
You're better off without those rules
Your life's your own, you live it alone
He can't ignore his misunderstanding leaves him sore
He can't explain why his life is full of so much pain
He parents pushed it on him
He wasn't ever really interested
Now he's old enough to make up his own mind
He was only going through the motion
Now he's drawing in the ocean
Of these hateful times and he believes he's right
The lyrics to MxPx's song Misunderstanding touch on the theme of blindly following one's beliefs without truly understanding their origins or meaning. The singer of the song has been raised with religious beliefs that he never fully embraced, but also never questioned until now. His friends encourage him to reject these beliefs and live a life free of rules, but the singer cannot shake the feeling that something is missing. His misunderstanding of his faith leaves him feeling empty and in pain, unable to explain why his life is so difficult.
The line "It's in God's book but he don't want to look" highlights the idea that oftentimes people take what they are told at face value without seeking to understand it for themselves. The singer's struggle to reconcile what he has been taught with what he truly believes is a common human experience, especially in matters of faith.
The song also touches on themes of individualism and the idea of finding one's own path in life. The singer realizes that he must make up his own mind about what he believes and how he wants to live his life, even if it means going against what his family and friends may want for him.
Overall, Misunderstanding is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to examine their beliefs and understand the motivations behind them.
Line by Line Meaning
Been told once, been told twice
He has been advised several times
He just won't listen to advice
He is unwilling to take any advice
It's in God's book but he don't want to look
He is not willing to read God's book
His friends say it's so uncool
His friends think it's uncool
You're better off without those rules
It's better to live without rules
Your life's your own, you live it alone
You are responsible for your own life
He can't ignore his misunderstanding leaves him sore
He is hurting because of his lack of understanding
He can't explain why his life is full of so much pain
He is unable to describe the cause of his pain
He parents pushed it on him
His parents imposed their beliefs on him
He wasn't ever really interested
He was never interested in those beliefs
Now he's old enough to make up his own mind
He is now capable of forming his own opinions
He was only going through the motion
He was only pretending to follow the beliefs
Now he's drawing in the ocean
He is now alone and lost
Of these hateful times and he believes he's right
He feels that his beliefs are right, despite the current negativity
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN ROBERT SETZER, MIKE HIMELSTEIN, RENATO CAROSONE, NICOLA SALERNO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind