With nine studio albums, seven EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and 20 years within the industry, MxPx have experienced practically everything as a band; from label departures, line-up changes and top 40 charting singles.
The trio released ‘Plans Within Plans’ earlier this year, April to be precise, and have been touring continuously since, even through Hurricane Sandy! However, Fortitude Magazine managed to have a quick chat with the trio to catch up before their big adventures.
This is what Mike Herrera (vocalist/bassist), founding member of the group, had to say:
Hello Mike, it’s a pleasure to have a chat with you, how are you today?
It’s been tough out here with the storm (Sandy) on the east coast. We’ve been driving straight into it. But, the shows have been really good.
The band formed back in 1992, but do you mind explaining to our readers about how you guys came to form?
We came together during the summer before we started high school. We were just another high school band at the time.
Your initial album stereotyped you as a “Christian Punk” band, but, in an interview, you insisted that you’d preferred not to be labelled as a “Christian band”. Was there any particular reason for that?
Tooth & Nail was a Christian label. We were young.
After several releases with Tooth & Nail, you progressed onto a Major label deal with A&M Records. How was it adjusting from one label to another?
It was an easy transition. We were just busy and working hard.
You were dropped from A&M Records, worked for a brief time with SideOneDummy and then returned back to Tooth & Nail. What encouraged your return to the label?
Technically, we asked to be released from A&M. We were supposed to make another album for them, but we didn’t want to. Tooth & Nail gave us a good deal and more importantly righted some wrongs from the past.
This year, you released your long-awaited studio album ‘Plans Within Plans’. How has the reception been for this long awaited return?
It’s been really great. People seem to really dig it.
You wrote, recorded and produced the record yourself, what made you opt to operate in this manner rather than just hiring in other producers?
I have my own studio; Monkey Trench in Bremerton, Washington, and I am a producer. So, it just made sense.
The record is being distributed by Flix Records within the UK and Europe, does this mean that we should be expecting an MxPx UK/European tour in the not-so distant future?
I’ve done two tours since the album and have another tour booked for March 2013. So, yes!!
You’re out on tour in Indonesia, at the moment, and then return for some dates across the US. But, what lies next in store for the band? Another cover album?
More touring, more recordings!!
Our final question; other than yourself, who would you recommend Fortitude Magazine and our readers check out?
Against Me is amazing!
As you can see; MxPx are continuing their reign as one of the most hard-working within the industry, as they prepare to embark on an Australasian and European tour from March 2013. Check out ‘Aces Up’, which features on their recent release, below: