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.
Sick Boy
MxPx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
black leather jacket seen - Sick Boy
always in trouble with the law
don't ya know? owayo - Sick Boy
he carries a switchblade knife - Sick Boy
likes to get into fights - Sick Boy
he'll go drinkin' with the boys
all night long. owayo - Sick Boy
owayo - Sick Boy
naa naa naa naa - Sick Boy
owayo - Sick Boy
he rides a big motor bike - Sick Boy
he combs his hair up just right - Sick Boy
with tatoos up and down his arms
don't ya know? owayo - Sick Boy
he's got a girl wrapped around his arm - Sick Boy
with his street-like charm - Sick Boy
he'll hang out with her all night
don't ya know? owayo - Sick Boy
naa naa naa naa - Sick Boy
owayo - Sick Boy
naa naa naa naa - Sick Boy
owayo - Sick Boy
such a sick boy
we're all sick boys
i'm a sick boy
naa naa naa naa naa naa
The song "Sick Boy" by MxPx details the lifestyle and behavior of a troubled young man who is always in trouble with the law, drinks with his friends all night long, carries a switchblade knife, and gets into fights. The song describes the way he dresses, with faded blue jeans and a black leather jacket, and his love for motorcycles and tattoos. The lyrics also mention how he has a girl wrapped around his arm, showing his street-like charm.
This song is not simply about a fictional character, but rather a commentary on the societal issue of troubled youth and the influences and environments that contribute to their behavior. The lyrics suggest that the sick boy is a product of his surroundings, with his tough exterior and dangerous lifestyle being the result of the environment in which he was raised. The chorus of the song, "we're all sick boys, I'm a sick boy," implies that there are many troubled individuals in society who are struggling and need help.
Overall, "Sick Boy" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding for those who are struggling. The song paints a picture of a young man who is in need of guidance and support, rather than judgment and condemnation.
Line by Line Meaning
Sick Boy in his faded blue jeans - Sick Boy
This line sets the scene for the song and introduces the character of Sick Boy who is wearing faded blue jeans and is sick in some way.
black leather jacket seen - Sick Boy
Sick Boy is wearing a black leather jacket, which gives him a tough and rebellious look.
always in trouble with the law
don't ya know? owayo - Sick Boy
Sick Boy is always in trouble with the law and this is well-known, hence the phrase “don’t ya know?”. The ‘owayo’ at the end is probably just a meaningless sound in this context, but it could be interpreted as an expression of Sick Boy’s bravado, as if to say “I don’t care”.
he carries a switchblade knife - Sick Boy
Sick Boy carries a switchblade knife, which is a dangerous weapon and suggests that he is prepared to defend himself or attack others if necessary.
likes to get into fights - Sick Boy
Sick Boy is someone who enjoys getting into fights, possibly as a way to prove his toughness or assert his dominance over others.
he'll go drinkin' with the boys
all night long. owayo - Sick Boy
Sick Boy enjoys drinking with his male friends and will do it all night long. The ‘owayo’ at the end may be another expression of his devil-may-care attitude.
naa naa naa naa - Sick Boy
owayo - Sick Boy
naa naa naa naa - Sick Boy
owayo - Sick Boy
These lines are repeated several times throughout the song and seem to be more about the sound and rhythm than the meaning. They may be intended to create a sense of energy and excitement to match the rebellious spirit of the song and the character of Sick Boy himself.
he rides a big motor bike - Sick Boy
Sick Boy travels on a large motor bike, which is another symbol of his confidence and fearlessness.
he combs his hair up just right - Sick Boy
Sick Boy takes care in styling his hair in a way that he deems appropriate, which can be seen as another way of projecting his image and attracting attention.
with tatoos up and down his arms
don't ya know? owayo - Sick Boy
Sick Boy has tattoos all over his arms, which is another way of expressing his individuality and perhaps his defiance of societal norms. The ‘don’t ya know?’ and ‘owayo’ lines are repeated from the earlier section as if to reinforce his attitude towards authority and conformity.
he's got a girl wrapped around his arm - Sick Boy
Sick Boy has a girl who is attracted to him and is physically close to him, which is another way of showing off his appeal and status.
with his street-like charm - Sick Boy
Sick Boy has a certain charm that makes him attractive to others, especially those who appreciate his ‘street’ style and rebellious attitude.
he'll hang out with her all night
don't ya know? owayo - Sick Boy
Sick Boy enjoys spending time with his female companion and will do it all night long, repeating the earlier pattern of the ‘don’t ya know?’ and ‘owayo’ lines.
such a sick boy
we're all sick boys
i'm a sick boy
naa naa naa naa naa naa
The final lines of the song reinforce the idea that Sick Boy is not alone in his sense of alienation and rebellion. ‘We’re all sick boys’ suggests that many people might see themselves as outsiders or non-conformists, while ‘I’m a sick boy’ is perhaps a way of expressing the singer’s own identification with Sick Boy’s attitude and lifestyle. The ‘naa naa naa’ line is repeated once more, ending the song on a note of defiance and energy.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL NESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind