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.
South Bound
MxPx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
same old town witha different name
That's fine by me
there's only one place that I want to be
Southbound on I 5
and windows down and music on the stereo
I'm drivin' and I'm dreamin'
there's no place I'd rather go
(Playing every night with the occasional fight)
Been on the road awhile
I gotto get back to a place with style
Hang out havin' fun
I gotta get back to the beach in the sun
The lyrics to MxPx's song South Bound represent the longing for the familiar, the freedom of the open road, and the desire for sun and fun. The repetitive nature of life can often lead us to feeling stuck, but the singer realizes that it's okay because there's only one place he wants to be - on the road, driving towards the beach on I-5. The windows are down, the music is blasting, and the act of driving becomes an escape from the monotony of daily life. He's daydreaming, imagining himself getting back to a place with style and hang out, having fun in the sun, and playing every night with the occasional fight.
The "white lines on the side of the road" symbolize the journey, the distance traveled, and the endless possibilities that come with it. The singer has been on the road for a while, but it doesn't matter because he's still driving, still pushing forward. The occasional fight that comes with playing every night speaks to the struggles and obstacles that often accompany the pursuit of one's passion. However, the desire for a place with style and fun shows that the singer is still hopeful and excited about the future.
Overall, the lyrics of South Bound celebrate the freedom of the open road and the excitement and joy that comes with pursuing one's dreams. It's about the journey, not just the destination.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all the same
The town may have a different name, but it's just like any other town.
same old town with a different name
Though the name of the town is different, everything about it seems similar to the other towns.
That's fine by me
The fact that the town seems the same is alright with him.
there's only one place that I want to be
Despite the many towns he's been to, there is one he wants to be in.
Southbound on I 5
He is heading southbound on the I-5 highway.
and windows down and music on the stereo
He's enjoying the feeling of the wind breezing in as he drives down the road, music blasting from his car's stereo.
I'm driving and I'm dreaming
As he drives, he daydreams and lets his imagination run wild.
there's no place I'd rather go
There's nowhere else he would rather be than where he's headed.
Staring at white lines on the side of the road
While driving, he's focused on the white lines painted along the shoulder of the road.
(Playing every night with the occasional fight)
He has been playing shows every night of the week, with the occasional quarrel among band members.
Been on the road awhile
He's spent a considerable amount of time on tour, traveling from one town to another.
I got to get back to a place with style
He craves a place with a unique vibe and characteristics.
Hang out having fun
He wants to go somewhere where he can relax and enjoy himself.
I gotta get back to the beach in the sun
He wishes to return to a sunny and bright beach environment that he's fond of.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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