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.
So This Is Christmas?
MxPx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But there's no snow at sight
It's not the way that I remember
What I think to weigh December white
So this is Christmas
I don't have much word to give
This is Christmas
'cause this is Christmas time
Rent me for pardon
And I'll make it up to you
The sight screwed up so many times
Now my emotions all starts going down
So this is Christmas
I don't have much word to give
This is Christmas
Find it in you heart to forgive
'cause this is Christmas time
You didn't know me then
Now you know me now
You didn't see me back then
But now you see me now
So this is Christmas
I don't have much word to give
This is Christmas
Find it in you heart to forgive
'cause this is Christmas time
MxPx's song "So This Is Christmas" is a unique twist on the classic holiday tune. The song begins with a somber tone as the singer notes the lack of snow, expressing his disappointment that the holiday season isn't the way he remembers it. However, even in the midst of his sadness, the singer pleads for forgiveness, asking for pardon and promising to make up for any mistakes he may have made in the past. He acknowledges that he doesn't have many words to give, and asks the listener to find it in their heart to forgive him during this special time of year.
The song also mentions the idea of time passing and people changing. The lyrics "You didn't know me then, now you know me now / You didn't see me back then, but now you see me now" suggest that the singer has changed, either for better or for worse, and that the listener may not have seen or understood him in the past. However, now that they do, he hopes that they will forgive him for any past wrongdoings.
Overall, "So This Is Christmas" is a heartfelt plea for forgiveness during a time of year when people are often more forgiving and empathetic towards one another. It acknowledges the passing of time and the idea that people change, but ultimately provides hope that we can come together and forgive one another, no matter what has happened in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas
The singer is acknowledging that it is Christmas time.
But there's no snow at sight
The singer is noting the absence of snow which is contrary to their memories of Christmas.
It's not the way that I remember
The singer is reminiscing about their memory of how December should be with snow and festive atmosphere.
What I think to weigh December white
The artist is thinking about a traditional Christmas which includes snow.
I don't have much word to give
The artist confesses they don't have much to say about Christmas.
Find it in you heart to forgive
The singer is requesting for forgiveness from those they have wronged.
'cause this is Christmas time
The singer emphasizes the season of Christmas as a time of reflection and forgiveness.
Rent me for pardon
The artist asks for forgiveness from others and hopes for reconciliation.
And I'll make it up to you
The artist is willing to make amends and repay for past wrongs if given a chance.
The sight screwed up so many times
The artist is acknowledging their past mistakes and regrets.
Now my emotions all starts going down
The singer is feeling sad and disappointed as a result of their past mistakes.
You didn't know me then
The artist is addressing someone who didn't know them previously.
Now you know me now
The singer is acknowledging that the person now knows them at present time.
You didn't see me back then
The singer is acknowledging that the person to whom they're speaking did not witness their actions or behavior from the past.
But now you see me now
The singer is acknowledging that the person to whom they're speaking is aware of their current state.
Contributed by Sadie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.