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.
Suggestion Box
MxPx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
about those who hate so much
Most of which are mislead
most of which are untouched
They resort to violence
to forcefeed their fascist views
All we see is blood stained boots
for no real reason on the news
that slips on through their mind
That this is sick and wrong
that this is so unkind
No tolerance for ignorance
that's the way it should be
I'll try not to judge you
but I know there's two sides to see
There's much more to me, why can't you see
There's two sides to see
In the song "Suggestion Box" by MxPx, the lyrics touch on the topic of hate and ignorance that leads to violence and fascism. The first verse conveys how the majority of those who hate are misguided and uninformed, and their actions only lead to pain and destruction. The use of the phrase "blood-stained boots" puts a vivid image in the listeners' minds of the brutality and cruelty that hate and fascism can cause.
The chorus of the song calls for tolerance and understanding, promoting the idea that there are always two sides to any situation, and judgement should be avoided. This line emphasizes the importance of empathy and the need to acknowledge that everyone has a backstory and a unique perspective on life. The song encourages the listener to see beyond the surface level of hate and ignorance and to seek understanding.
Overall, "Suggestion Box" is a song that advocates for empathy and tolerance, encouraging people to look beyond ignorance and hate to see the humanity in others. The song calls for unity and understanding, promoting the idea that we are all human beings with different life experiences and perspectives.
Line by Line Meaning
So many unanswered questions
There are many questions unanswered about people who hate.
about those who hate so much
The questions are specifically about those who have a lot of hatred.
Most of which are mislead
A majority of the people who hate are misinformed and misled.
most of which are untouched
Many of the people who hate remain unaffected and unaware of their ignorance.
They resort to violence
These people turn to violence to make their views heard.
to forcefeed their fascist views
Their intention is to forcefully impose their ideologies on others without any regard for others' opinions.
All we see is blood stained boots
All that is visible is the aftermath of their violent actions.
for no real reason on the news
Their actions make it to the news without any apparent, justified reason.
Is there ever a second thought
Do these people ever reconsider the consequences of their actions?
that slips on through their mind
Do they ever think about the impact of their actions on others and on society as a whole?
That this is sick and wrong
It is important for people to acknowledge that their violent actions are unethical and immoral.
that this is so unkind
Violence is an act of unkindness that can have devastating consequences for those who are at the receiving end.
No tolerance for ignorance
Society should not tolerate ignorant and misguided views that harm others.
that's the way it should be
It is imperative for people to promote tolerance and respect for each other's differences.
I'll try not to judge you
Even though it is challenging, it is important to try not to judge people who hold opposing views.
but I know there's two sides to see
It is critical to acknowledge that there are two sides to every story and that there are still ways to understand and connect with people who have opposing views.
There's much more to me, why can't you see
Each individual has a complex story that should not be reduced to their beliefs or ideologies. People should try to see others beyond their political views.
There's two sides to see
It's essential to recognize that there are multiple perspectives to every situation, and people should strive to understand both sides of an argument.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Michael Herrera
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind