Mike pretty much saved my life in the late 90’s. Was going through a deep valley when I started listening to MxPx and began playing bass and totally changed my life forever. Thanks Mike!
Life In General may be my favorite. I think Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo is second. their new album is solid! listened to it yesterday. check that out 😎✊
I was more- atheist back then and it's an adventure now to find these - I probably heard of MxPx in like late 90's early 2000's - to look back on and hear.
Except "Let it Happen" was not an original studio album. It was a collection of rare songs and covers that only appeared on 7' vinyls they had released up to the year said compilation was released. As far as LIH versions of songs like "Christalena" and "Southbound," there's no such thing. Those songs, and the 4 "b-sides" were all taken from the band's Life in General recording sessions. That compilation was released prematurely, as their former label Tooth and Nail Records claimed it was to help fulfill the remainder of their contract, citing red tape issues. Fortunately for Brandon Ebel, he was able to settle his differences with MxPx around 2005. Following that ordeal, the band released "Secret Weapon," their 8th LP, through T&N Records. And just before going independent, recorded 3 brand new songs for the re-released and remastered "Let it Happen," which also came with a DVD of every music video MxPx had shot from 1994 - 2005.
MxPx was so important for getting me into music. I grew up in the Christian scene, and to have a band that was so cool that was "ours" was so, so important. Teenage Politics, Life In General, and Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo were huge albums for me
SAME. everything you just said. The first bands for me to change the whole game were MxPx and Living Sacrifice. I'm a drummer and played in several punk AND metal bands back in the mid-late 90's all the way up to 2014. the longest running band I was in was a pop-punk band called "Lucy's Demise" which was actually kind of a joke combination of words with two meanings; Lucy refers to both LSD (which we had an affinity for early on even though we were Christians and very active in Church) and Lucy was also a reference to Lucifer, funny enough. so our name meant "Acid Death" AND "Lucifer's Demise". our music itself wasn't Christian but all three of us were Christian and I am still a devout Christian to this day. Our music was very PG rated regardless of it not being Christian music in nature. as it was PG rated, we played shows with tons of Christian punk, ska, and hardcore bands as well as secular bands. so many good memories! we would skate with all our fans after our shows. fun times! 😎
@ghost_to_a_ghost my bro I trounced me to MxPx around the time Life In General was dropping, and it was just so different to what I grew up hearing. It was so authentic and just fun. After them, it was Project 86 that REALLY woke me up to music and sent me down the road of heavier music
@@nathanthomson1931oh hell yeah dude! Project 86 was incredible! I forgot about them so thanks for the reminder. 👍 Zao, Living Sacrifice, and Stretch Armstrong were probably the main ones I got in to heavier music off of but Project is undeniably great, too. 😎 The first time I heard Living Sacrifice (Reborn. kickass album) back in 97, I had a majorly different idea of what "metal" was. I thought Metallica was about as heavy as it gets before I heard these dudes screaming into mics sounding like they were from the fucking pits of hell lolol 😂
@ghost_to_a_ghost Project are releasing their final album and it SLAPS! Check out OMNI pt 1. If you haven't heard Wolves at the Gate yet, you should check them out too
You are me haha, it was exactly the same. My mom would only take me to the Christian music store. I’d save up my money for tapes and cds. She wants me to listen to like Steven Curtis Chapman. I find mxpx and it opens up a whole new music scene to me. I still go see them live whenever they’re near me. So consistently awesome live
True story: MxPx played in our church gym in Oregon when they were probably 16-17 years old and I was 12. Our youth pastor never asked permission from church leadership and the neighbors complained about the noise. Our youth pastor was fired and has become a martyr in my heart. To this day I am so thankful for my first rock concert and a youth pastor who went down for all of us.
When I was 12 or 13, My dad tore my teenage politics tape apart when I stopped playing little league baseball. I would have hung myself if all I had to listen to was the newsboys and dc talk. Mxpx literally changed my entire life and probably saved me. Teenage politics was the first punk music that my ears had ever heard and I still think it’s their best album by far. Thanks for this interview and thanks for the memories and great music, Mike.
Lol. Not at you but DC Talk. I remember hearing them being played in a christian book store. Even then I was like hmm not my thing. But when I discovered Life in General I was like yes! MXPX live are awesome. See them at least once if you can.
Early 2000’s we’re absolutely incredible. Shorthanded, Craig’s Brother, the Juliana Theory, Ace troubleshooter, Fanmail…etc. god I miss those days of T&N. But none of them will ever take MxPx’s place as the kings. Life in general is still the greatest album.
Awesome interview. I listened to MXPX because of the “Christian” label back in the day. It sucks that people have them crap for “not preaching enough.” As a believer it is certainly a bummer that MXPX has gone down another path, but their music is still awesome. Mike is the reason I picked up a bass back in high school. He plays the Punk Rawk Shows…and I play in church. Life is funny that way. 😂
That's rad! Yeah I was kinda bummed to hear Mike say that on the podcast, too. Solid dude, tho. He might come back some day. that tends to happen with age. I was a big-time Christian until around the age of 17 when I decided I knew everything about everything and I went agnostic for many, bad, drug-addicted years. Came back to Christ at 35 and I am now 39 and honestly my faith is stronger than it ever was before. God bless you my dude! 😎
The Christian music scene is/was so bizarre. It was a really hurtful mess. Having worked at a church for a decade, I really got to see how terrified parents were that their kids would turn out badly and how so many decisions they made about their kids and the “youth group” was based out of crippling fear. Nothing good can come of that. That puts tons of pressure and power in the hands of Christian musicians to provide a safe parent-approved culture for their kids when the people making the music were just kids themselves and often never wanted to “preach” to begin with.
Yeah, I have a real empathy for him. It sounded like he was in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't situation." He got raked over the coals for smoking outside of gigs and the fact they didn't drop Jesus' name every second verse. Then on the big tours with "secular" bands he would get ribbed about being a Christian. It would be frustrating, and I guess it just finally got to him. A couple of my favourite bands, Thrice and Emery, have seemed to be able to hold their faith, but they have a lot of nightmare stories too, with the Christians you'd think would have their back letting them down.
There could easily be a part 2 to this interview. This was a great "History of the band" interview. There is a whole nother chapter about the change in the music industry, and how Mike as a music "lifer" kept the band alive throughout it all. I'd love to hear about the both ends burning and MXPX all stars days, after Tom and Yuri had to get real jobs. Mike becoming a producer and building a studio. I think that would be an awesome addition to the channel. So much of it is about the music industry. I'm sure that Mike has some great insight on adapting to changes in the music industry/scene. I think that would be an awesome story. How does a Christian pop-punk band from a small town, create a 30 plus year career with no end in sight. There is a lot more than what we heard here. Please bring Mike back for a part 2. Or maybe go on his podcast. You guys have a great rapport. I really loved this interview, and almost reached out a whole ago to suggest that you interview Mike.
Your interviews are always top notch, I’m not just saying that either. No matter who it is you have up I always gotta tune in because I know it’ll be good. Thanks Mike and Finn for your time!
That was rad to watch. MXPX has been a favorite of mine for a long time, probably their entire career. I remember buying "Life In General" on cassette when it came out. I wore out that cassette in my old Monte Carlo. Great band.
Grew up wtih MxPx, thank you for this great interview. Was raised in a strict Christian household where MxPx was one of the few bands I was able to listen to. MxPx was a gateway band for me once I got to be an adult of getting into more secular music.
Did you listen to Slick Shoes or Value Pac? I was the opposite of you, I was listening to non Christian punk from 87'-99'. I became a Christian in 98' and around 99' stopped listening to thw old secular band's and only Christian punk band's and worship till about 2005 when I started listening to some of the old stuff again slowly and wisely. There were quite a few good Christian punk band's in the late 90's but sadly ended around 2001. Hang Nail, Two Timer, Sick Of Change, Sidewalk Slam, The Undecided, Noggin Toboggan, Off The Record, Joy Electric, Dogwood, Craig's Brother, Logos, Broken Cedars, Philmore and many more i know I'm forgetting 😂.
MxPx, a HUGE part of my 90s high school years. Surfing, skating, gymnastics. Seeing them live with The Ataris at The House Of Blues was such an amazing experience. I also met an amazing girl at the concert too 😍.
Mike is a class act. I’ve spoken to him many times and he’s always been cool. He truly loves his fans and is one of the most down to earth people you will ever meet. My best friend and I spoke to him in San Francisco at a Five Iron Frenzy show and we talked music for a good minute. Thanks for always being cool Mike. Love you and MxPx for 25 years.
Misplaced memories was such a hidden gym on the ever passing moment. Much darker and thought provoking content. I would love to see an album like that.
When I was like 13 years old I went to a record store with my grandmother. We asked the guy behind the counter for the casete tape with the little dude in the cover with the spiky hair. He knew exactly was I was talking about. POKINATCHA! I have never even hear the music before, I bought the casete tape because of of the cover and because I knew some punker in my school rocked a patch in his jacket lol. What a poser! 22 years later I am still listening, I even own a MusicMac Mike Herrare Signature Bass, thanks for the interview man, brings back such fun memories! greetings from Chile.
Great interview. My personal opinion is that I loved that it was mostly Mike with Finn guiding but not forcing conversation. In the best way. I’m almost 40. Well done :)
Every single songs of MXPX are awesome, these guys know what they are doing, it work so well we grow up listening to them and still listening to them today!
Yay Magnified Plaid! Yay!!!! ❤️. When I was a teen I wanted to see them soooo bad. They were playing at a church and my mom wouldn’t let me go. Oh it was so sad 😭. Love these guys!
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA Happy to be wrong then! Great interview, I listen to Mike’s podcast regularly and I sometimes feel I’ve heard all his stories but your questions got him to say some things that were new to me. Thanks for helping them with the release of Find A Way Home!
That ep they did for Fat Wreck around 2001 is still a total slammer. The little Christian teenage kid at the core of my being will forever live these guys.
one of the reason why I love this band is that, they are never selfish with music. they release alot of music, they live stream almost multple every month even after pandemic. it's always a good time when mxpx has a new song.
MxPx will always hold a special place in my heart. I was growing up in Bremerton/Silverdale when they were starting out and my older brother went to school with them at Central Kitsap. So glad to see them still going after all these years. Mikes acoustic Covid sessions on UA-cam were amazing. Love this interview. Good seeing you Mike!
MxPx, Blink 182, and New Found Glory were my first punk rock bands I was exposed to by my cousin in 2000 and to see one of my early icons be interviewed by you, Finn, is truly awesome! I feel that MxPx never got to the level that the aforementioned bands did, which is a shame, but that is what makes this interview that much more special; these stories haven't been told before. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the early stories and you and Mike's perspective on things growing up. MxPx instilled the DIY ethos for my friends and I when we were starting bands and covering Doing Time and Responsibility back in the early 2000s. Thank you for this truly great interview, keep it up!
Mxpx helped shape my youth for sure. Loved this band. Would go to every show in my area. Got a tattoo even! Great guys too. Those tooth & nail sampler cds were hard
Two gents having a grand ole chat. Nice one guys. Mike is such a lovely positive person. Fin great interview as always. Thanks for that. MXPX for life.
Awesome video as always! Would like to see more in-depth on Tooth & Nail as I was in the Christian Hardcore scene and would like to hear your take on it if you haven't done one already.
Thanks for this Finn, great job. I grew up in the T&N scene, was more into the Focal Point and Zao's but was a fan of MxPx for pushing the label forward.
@3:00 Finn drinks juice from a bottle like a turtle. edit: That was a great interview. Mike always delivers good interviews. He seems like a really easy guy to talk to.
It's wild to reflect as a grown man how they were just kids on the couple first records. I'm not much younger but discovered them before the internet and just assumed they were quite a bit older. They seemed so accomplished and wise, but more approachable to me than say Bad Religion. Incredible to think they're still around and kicking butt. MxPx is underrated and I'm definitely guilty of "hating" on them -- for all the wrong reasons. In truth, Life was one of my first punk records, and was so important to shaping my youth. I'm ashamed for the needless elitism I perpetuated.
47:30 the difference between hardcore preaching and christian preaching (for me at least) is the supernatural aspect. I'm personally less inclined to care one way or the other, at this point. At least as long as it remains relatively harmless.
MxPx has been a big influence on me when it comes to songwriting and life outlook. It's very rare for a punk band to be as positive as them and as a pessimist-in-recovery, I find it very inspiring.
When I went onto youtube this morning, I saw that it was uploaded only five minutes ago and was like, "Yes!!! I always see these like a day or two (or years lol) later!!!!". Anyhow, this was a really good interview and I feel like I understand MxPx and Mike a lot better now. I really like how you ask questions about stuff that genuinely matters in an artist's life, as opposed to the typical "Here's 10 surface-level questions about your band and latest new album." You really delve into stuff that's deep, but not overly so, if you know what I mean. It's more about people's feelings, motivations, and where they come from as just normal people. Music journalists often put someone up on a pedestal and challenge them with massive philosophical questions, but punk is usually just "hey, let's have some fun playing music and see if we can get on a show." So thank you for that. Btw you totally coulda done a product placement for Vitaminwater here! Missed opportunity! Haha
Mike has written more "good songs" than anyone else in the genre, period. It is not even close. Easily the hardest working dude in the genre. I am glad he is finally getting the mad respect he is due. I always felt bad for them for the "christian band" label and the fact they were the biggest rock band in that world for a long time, even though they weren't. They had to "act" a certain way not to alienate their christian fans but still try and gain respect from the very anti-christian punk scene. Ultimately I think it worked out, because they are still here, still writing GOOD songs. Yuri is god tier punk drummer and Tom is just plain cool.
I was in a band that was signed to Tooth & Nail in the late 90s. We did a bunch of shows with MXPX and their side project “Arthur”. Everyone on the label hoped they would be the next MXPX.
@@lowenbad Thanks. I might check you out. I live in Australia so pretty much my first point of contact to the T&N bands back then was the 'Songs From The Penalty Box' compilations. If I found a band I liked on them then I'd try and source the album the song come from.
@@ProgrammedForDamage I think we were on a couple of those comps back then. It’s weird to look back on that time. Almost every T&N band had aspirations to leave the Christian music ghetto, but very few ever did.
I've been a fan of MxPx since is was 13 back in 1998. MxPx was my first show. It was at the Huntridge in las Vegas in April of 1999. MxPx is my favorite band and I have to say of all the studio albums the new one, Find a Way Home, Is my favorite. It is by far the most mature album to date and I relate to it right now in my life. I love the faster pace of this album I've looked up to Mike for 25 years and I would say that I still do in some aspects.
LOVE THIS! Gotta say, I just got back from Chicago last week, and as soon as I stepped off the plane there was a dude heading to Chicago and he was wearing a new MxPx t shirt from the new album! MXPX Forever.
I'm a newer fan of MxPx and it sucks that I spent so much time not listening to them. Mike seems so genuine and it's awesome to hear him just talk about life. Great interview Finn!
We opened for MxPx at a church in Ventura, CA when I was 14. I have been a fan ever since and always respected them. I was always into "normal pink" like NOFX, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Minor Threat, the most goes on... but I always loved MxPX and Black Eyed Sceva while I was a church kid. I never realized how much I was there for the beginning.
I picked up Pokinatcha on a whim while I was in Wal-Mart in like '91 or '92, somewhere around that time, and it hooked me right away. I played the hell out of that CD, along with Unknown Road, and Punk in Drublic. Damn, I miss the '90s.
MxPx came to Dallas OR as a part of the Tooth & Nail deal in '94 I remember thinking how awesome it was to have them in my little town at a local church youth event. There were a couple other bands with them, don't remember, but man we livin' large with MxPx in town that night.
Don’t know him personally but I wish I could cuz Mike seems like the coolest & nicest dude. Kinda like Mark Hoppus, he’s the cool dad/uncle I wish I had in my life.
Thank you for doing this interview. I have been listening to MXPX since 8th grade! Through out my life, they have always been a band on my top lists. Great interview 😁🎧
I literally JUST watched the tooth& nail documentary on youtube TWO nights ago! I’m 44 but didn’t start loco g heavy music til the past 5 years so I JUST found out about MXPX! This is awesome!
Been a fan since I grabbed a CD from a Christian bookstore back in mid 90s. So stoked that they’re still rockin. New album is excellent and I also love Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo.
I also "grabbed" one of them from a Christian bookstore. I was already into the band, considering I grew up just across the narrows bridge. When I realized their music was sold in Christian stores, it was the most logical place to shoplift from lol
Dude this was awesome! I enjoyed Find a Way Home and have loved MXPX for about 20 years now. I've met Mike a couple times and he's a very approachable guy. Thanks for the upload. You're becoming the Joe Rogan of the punk scene and try to take that in a positive way 😂😂😂
Great interview Finn, despite your best efforts it seemed like Mike dodged the point in an attempt to keep the tone positive so I'll say it... MXPX was probably one of the most marketable punk bands of the 90's, and had they not signed to Tooth and Nail there is the potential they could have become absolutely huge. Compare Life in General to Cheshire Cat... from a marketability standpoint, pre-Enima Blink was not even close.
Great interview guys! I love the new record so far. I also related to Mike’s take on the sound of Secret Weapon and Life in General. Secret Weapon deserves more credit imo.
I love MxPx. I was 16 and attended my very FIRST show with one of my best friends. It was at the Santa Anita Fairgrounds in Arcadia, CA. Sponsored by a local radio station here, KROQ. They were amongst the lineup with Sugarcult, Lit, and some band called Handsome Devil. Needless to say MxPx was my favorite. They played a great set, while I experienced fighting for my life in a mosh pit for the very first time. It was f-ing awesome. I’ll remember that forever ❤
I really love Mike’s podcast. What I like is how he interviews just average people who work in supportive roles like photographers or producers who aren’t huge names. It just goes to show not everyone is some famous rock photographer but can still make a living.
I love mxpx and they're all just so nice. Mike is always really humble and natural in interviews and stuff. They even write back to fans comments and stuff online.
Support the podcast on Patreon! www.patreon.com/thepunkrockmba
Dude is a legend. his band has been consistently good for decades
Mike pretty much saved my life in the late 90’s. Was going through a deep valley when I started listening to MxPx and began playing bass and totally changed my life forever. Thanks Mike!
Same. My wife left me a year ago and MXPX seriously got me through really bad lonely nights.
Life in General is another 10/10 classic. Even Let It Happen is very good album as well.
Life In General may be my favorite. I think Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo is second. their new album is solid! listened to it yesterday. check that out 😎✊
Let It Happen is even better than Life In General. the LIG version of Christalena is better than the LIH version though.
Dude my dad was a pastor of a church.. could only listen to religious stuff. Found life in general in a religious music store and it changed my life
I was more- atheist back then and it's an adventure now to find these - I probably heard of MxPx in like late 90's early 2000's - to look back on and hear.
Except "Let it Happen" was not an original studio album. It was a collection of rare songs and covers that only appeared on 7' vinyls they had released up to the year said compilation was released. As far as LIH versions of songs like "Christalena" and "Southbound," there's no such thing. Those songs, and the 4 "b-sides" were all taken from the band's Life in General recording sessions. That compilation was released prematurely, as their former label Tooth and Nail Records claimed it was to help fulfill the remainder of their contract, citing red tape issues.
Fortunately for Brandon Ebel, he was able to settle his differences with MxPx around 2005. Following that ordeal, the band released "Secret Weapon," their 8th LP, through T&N Records. And just before going independent, recorded 3 brand new songs for the re-released and remastered "Let it Happen," which also came with a DVD of every music video MxPx had shot from 1994 - 2005.
Slowly going the way of the buffalo is their best album.
Love Mike's work
Unfortunately, it was terribly recorded, but, fortunately, we have At the Show, which is one of their best sounding albums
It's fantastic
MxPx was so important for getting me into music. I grew up in the Christian scene, and to have a band that was so cool that was "ours" was so, so important. Teenage Politics, Life In General, and Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo were huge albums for me
SAME. everything you just said. The first bands for me to change the whole game were MxPx and Living Sacrifice. I'm a drummer and played in several punk AND metal bands back in the mid-late 90's all the way up to 2014. the longest running band I was in was a pop-punk band called "Lucy's Demise" which was actually kind of a joke combination of words with two meanings; Lucy refers to both LSD (which we had an affinity for early on even though we were Christians and very active in Church) and Lucy was also a reference to Lucifer, funny enough. so our name meant "Acid Death" AND "Lucifer's Demise". our music itself wasn't Christian but all three of us were Christian and I am still a devout Christian to this day. Our music was very PG rated regardless of it not being Christian music in nature. as it was PG rated, we played shows with tons of Christian punk, ska, and hardcore bands as well as secular bands. so many good memories! we would skate with all our fans after our shows. fun times! 😎
@ghost_to_a_ghost my bro I trounced me to MxPx around the time Life In General was dropping, and it was just so different to what I grew up hearing. It was so authentic and just fun. After them, it was Project 86 that REALLY woke me up to music and sent me down the road of heavier music
@@nathanthomson1931oh hell yeah dude! Project 86 was incredible! I forgot about them so thanks for the reminder. 👍 Zao, Living Sacrifice, and Stretch Armstrong were probably the main ones I got in to heavier music off of but Project is undeniably great, too. 😎 The first time I heard Living Sacrifice (Reborn. kickass album) back in 97, I had a majorly different idea of what "metal" was. I thought Metallica was about as heavy as it gets before I heard these dudes screaming into mics sounding like they were from the fucking pits of hell lolol 😂
@ghost_to_a_ghost Project are releasing their final album and it SLAPS! Check out OMNI pt 1. If you haven't heard Wolves at the Gate yet, you should check them out too
You are me haha, it was exactly the same. My mom would only take me to the Christian music store. I’d save up my money for tapes and cds. She wants me to listen to like Steven Curtis Chapman. I find mxpx and it opens up a whole new music scene to me. I still go see them live whenever they’re near me. So consistently awesome live
MXPX rules. One of my favorite bands of all time. Mike, you’re a genuine and inspiring dude. Great interview, Finn.
True story: MxPx played in our church gym in Oregon when they were probably 16-17 years old and I was 12. Our youth pastor never asked permission from church leadership and the neighbors complained about the noise. Our youth pastor was fired and has become a martyr in my heart. To this day I am so thankful for my first rock concert and a youth pastor who went down for all of us.
Mike Herrera is such an unbelievably cool dude
Finn, Thanks for having Mike on we can Move to Bremerton and go all out
Life in General is a no-skips killer album!
So awesome to see Mike on the pod. Grew up with this band and can’t believe they’re still putting out amazing albums.
When I was 12 or 13, My dad tore my teenage politics tape apart when I stopped playing little league baseball. I would have hung myself if all I had to listen to was the newsboys and dc talk. Mxpx literally changed my entire life and probably saved me. Teenage politics was the first punk music that my ears had ever heard and I still think it’s their best album by far. Thanks for this interview and thanks for the memories and great music, Mike.
That cd fucking kills!!
You shouldn't have quit playing little league dude. Your dad was right.
Lol. Not at you but DC Talk. I remember hearing them being played in a christian book store. Even then I was like hmm not my thing. But when I discovered Life in General I was like yes! MXPX live are awesome. See them at least once if you can.
Tooth and Nail had some great bands regardless of the religious thing. Slick Shoes and Dogwood were also great bands
T & N was an amazing label all sorts of odd ball music too
Early 2000’s we’re absolutely incredible. Shorthanded, Craig’s Brother, the Juliana Theory, Ace troubleshooter, Fanmail…etc. god I miss those days of T&N. But none of them will ever take MxPx’s place as the kings. Life in general is still the greatest album.
Slick shoes rock for sure.
I was signed to Tooth & Nail. There were a ton of great bands on the label.
The Crucified were amazing too!
Life in general is not only my fav mxpx album it's one of my fav albums ever period.
one of the best pop-punk albums of all time. I agree 😎
Life in general, slowly and the ever passing moment were 3 great albums.
Awesome interview. I listened to MXPX because of the “Christian” label back in the day. It sucks that people have them crap for “not preaching enough.” As a believer it is certainly a bummer that MXPX has gone down another path, but their music is still awesome.
Mike is the reason I picked up a bass back in high school. He plays the Punk Rawk Shows…and I play in church. Life is funny that way. 😂
That's rad! Yeah I was kinda bummed to hear Mike say that on the podcast, too. Solid dude, tho. He might come back some day. that tends to happen with age. I was a big-time Christian until around the age of 17 when I decided I knew everything about everything and I went agnostic for many, bad, drug-addicted years. Came back to Christ at 35 and I am now 39 and honestly my faith is stronger than it ever was before. God bless you my dude! 😎
The Christian music scene is/was so bizarre. It was a really hurtful mess. Having worked at a church for a decade, I really got to see how terrified parents were that their kids would turn out badly and how so many decisions they made about their kids and the “youth group” was based out of crippling fear. Nothing good can come of that. That puts tons of pressure and power in the hands of Christian musicians to provide a safe parent-approved culture for their kids when the people making the music were just kids themselves and often never wanted to “preach” to begin with.
Yeah, I have a real empathy for him. It sounded like he was in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't situation." He got raked over the coals for smoking outside of gigs and the fact they didn't drop Jesus' name every second verse. Then on the big tours with "secular" bands he would get ribbed about being a Christian. It would be frustrating, and I guess it just finally got to him. A couple of my favourite bands, Thrice and Emery, have seemed to be able to hold their faith, but they have a lot of nightmare stories too, with the Christians you'd think would have their back letting them down.
I always loved Slowly going the way of the Buffalo.
Mike Herrera is like your favorite cousin that you always want to go hang out with🤘🤘
There could easily be a part 2 to this interview. This was a great "History of the band" interview. There is a whole nother chapter about the change in the music industry, and how Mike as a music "lifer" kept the band alive throughout it all. I'd love to hear about the both ends burning and MXPX all stars days, after Tom and Yuri had to get real jobs. Mike becoming a producer and building a studio. I think that would be an awesome addition to the channel. So much of it is about the music industry. I'm sure that Mike has some great insight on adapting to changes in the music industry/scene.
I think that would be an awesome story. How does a Christian pop-punk band from a small town, create a 30 plus year career with no end in sight. There is a lot more than what we heard here. Please bring Mike back for a part 2. Or maybe go on his podcast. You guys have a great rapport. I really loved this interview, and almost reached out a whole ago to suggest that you interview Mike.
Your interviews are always top notch, I’m not just saying that either. No matter who it is you have up I always gotta tune in because I know it’ll be good. Thanks Mike and Finn for your time!
That was rad to watch. MXPX has been a favorite of mine for a long time, probably their entire career. I remember buying "Life In General" on cassette when it came out. I wore out that cassette in my old Monte Carlo. Great band.
I've been listening to MxPx for over 20 years now and, 'Find A Way Home,' is sooo good. Great interview!
Grew up wtih MxPx, thank you for this great interview. Was raised in a strict Christian household where MxPx was one of the few bands I was able to listen to. MxPx was a gateway band for me once I got to be an adult of getting into more secular music.
Did you listen to Slick Shoes or Value Pac? I was the opposite of you, I was listening to non Christian punk from 87'-99'. I became a Christian in 98' and around 99' stopped listening to thw old secular band's and only Christian punk band's and worship till about 2005 when I started listening to some of the old stuff again slowly and wisely. There were quite a few good Christian punk band's in the late 90's but sadly ended around 2001. Hang Nail, Two Timer, Sick Of Change, Sidewalk Slam, The Undecided, Noggin Toboggan, Off The Record, Joy Electric, Dogwood, Craig's Brother, Logos, Broken Cedars, Philmore and many more i know I'm forgetting 😂.
Unashamed was really good too
@@BuccoZed never heard of them 🤔
MxPx, a HUGE part of my 90s high school years. Surfing, skating, gymnastics. Seeing them live with The Ataris at The House Of Blues was such an amazing experience. I also met an amazing girl at the concert too 😍.
Dude what a cliffhanger of a statement! Did y'all date? did y'all get married? lol😅
Did she live somewhere else in the world?
Mike is a class act. I’ve spoken to him many times and he’s always been cool. He truly loves his fans and is one of the most down to earth people you will ever meet. My best friend and I spoke to him in San Francisco at a Five Iron Frenzy show and we talked music for a good minute. Thanks for always being cool Mike. Love you and MxPx for 25 years.
Five Iron Frenzy is the shit! my old punk band opened a show for them. we were so stoked for that one. 😎
@@ghost_to_a_ghost what was the name of your band. And yes they are!! I’ve seen them so many times and they never disappoint
this interview is great - MXPX new favourite band !!
MXPX are the real deal in 90’s punk
LIFE IN GENERAL IS STILL A NO SKIPS ALBUM 10/10 ALL BANGER!! MXPX STAN TILL THE DAY I DIE!!
Misplaced memories was such a hidden gym on the ever passing moment. Much darker and thought provoking content. I would love to see an album like that.
Seems like yesterday I was crusin down Chico way
@@rockmanafbthe melody of that section is so amazing.
@@estacoda545 soooooo amazing the ever passing moment has always been my favorite mxpx album
MxPx was my favorite band in high school and Life in General was my favorite album. Great interview!
I grew up listening to MXPX, such good memories..
When I was like 13 years old I went to a record store with my grandmother. We asked the guy behind the counter for the casete tape with the little dude in the cover with the spiky hair. He knew exactly was I was talking about. POKINATCHA! I have never even hear the music before, I bought the casete tape because of of the cover and because I knew some punker in my school rocked a patch in his jacket lol. What a poser! 22 years later I am still listening, I even own a MusicMac Mike Herrare Signature Bass, thanks for the interview man, brings back such fun memories! greetings from Chile.
Hell yeah! I've been listening to MXPX since 2004.
Great interview. My personal opinion is that I loved that it was mostly Mike with Finn guiding but not forcing conversation. In the best way. I’m almost 40.
Well done :)
Every single songs of MXPX are awesome, these guys know what they are doing, it work so well we grow up listening to them and still listening to them today!
Yay Magnified Plaid! Yay!!!! ❤️. When I was a teen I wanted to see them soooo bad. They were playing at a church and my mom wouldn’t let me go. Oh it was so sad 😭. Love these guys!
When I first discovered your channel, right or wrong, it seemed to me you kinda slept on MxPx, so I’m so glad to see this!
Of course not, I'm from Washington and the same age as them! No way I could have missed MXPX.
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA Happy to be wrong then! Great interview, I listen to Mike’s podcast regularly and I sometimes feel I’ve heard all his stories but your questions got him to say some things that were new to me. Thanks for helping them with the release of Find A Way Home!
That ep they did for Fat Wreck around 2001 is still a total slammer. The little Christian teenage kid at the core of my being will forever live these guys.
one of the reason why I love this band is that, they are never selfish with music. they release alot of music, they live stream almost multple every month even after pandemic. it's always a good time when mxpx has a new song.
MxPx will always hold a special place in my heart. I was growing up in Bremerton/Silverdale when they were starting out and my older brother went to school with them at Central Kitsap. So glad to see them still going after all these years. Mikes acoustic Covid sessions on UA-cam were amazing. Love this interview. Good seeing you Mike!
Me too. Mxpx at Cafe Zoo in Bremerton was the first punk show I ever went to.
MxPx, Blink 182, and New Found Glory were my first punk rock bands I was exposed to by my cousin in 2000 and to see one of my early icons be interviewed by you, Finn, is truly awesome!
I feel that MxPx never got to the level that the aforementioned bands did, which is a shame, but that is what makes this interview that much more special; these stories haven't been told before. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the early stories and you and Mike's perspective on things growing up. MxPx instilled the DIY ethos for my friends and I when we were starting bands and covering Doing Time and Responsibility back in the early 2000s.
Thank you for this truly great interview, keep it up!
Mxpx helped shape my youth for sure. Loved this band. Would go to every show in my area. Got a tattoo even! Great guys too. Those tooth & nail sampler cds were hard
Two gents having a grand ole chat. Nice one guys. Mike is such a lovely positive person. Fin great interview as always. Thanks for that. MXPX for life.
Awesome video as always! Would like to see more in-depth on Tooth & Nail as I was in the Christian Hardcore scene and would like to hear your take on it if you haven't done one already.
I appreciate the Mike's song lyrics, since I'm a happy and positive person. Fun to sing along with.
Thanks for this Finn, great job. I grew up in the T&N scene, was more into the Focal Point and Zao's but was a fan of MxPx for pushing the label forward.
@3:00 Finn drinks juice from a bottle like a turtle.
edit: That was a great interview. Mike always delivers good interviews. He seems like a really easy guy to talk to.
It's wild to reflect as a grown man how they were just kids on the couple first records.
I'm not much younger but discovered them before the internet and just assumed they were quite a bit older. They seemed so accomplished and wise, but more approachable to me than say Bad Religion.
Incredible to think they're still around and kicking butt. MxPx is underrated and I'm definitely guilty of "hating" on them -- for all the wrong reasons.
In truth, Life was one of my first punk records, and was so important to shaping my youth. I'm ashamed for the needless elitism I perpetuated.
47:30 the difference between hardcore preaching and christian preaching (for me at least) is the supernatural aspect. I'm personally less inclined to care one way or the other, at this point. At least as long as it remains relatively harmless.
Oh my heart!!! Glad you got to talk to Mike!❤❤❤
MxPx has been a big influence on me when it comes to songwriting and life outlook. It's very rare for a punk band to be as positive as them and as a pessimist-in-recovery, I find it very inspiring.
I stopped keeping on with MXPX in the late 2000s, but Mike always had one of the best punk rock voices out there.
MxPx was the first band I remember listening to by myself; first band’s music I purchased when I was 11.
Normy here, fist time commenter/long time watcher, this interview made me so happy, it was a lot of much fun, thank you
When I went onto youtube this morning, I saw that it was uploaded only five minutes ago and was like, "Yes!!! I always see these like a day or two (or years lol) later!!!!". Anyhow, this was a really good interview and I feel like I understand MxPx and Mike a lot better now. I really like how you ask questions about stuff that genuinely matters in an artist's life, as opposed to the typical "Here's 10 surface-level questions about your band and latest new album." You really delve into stuff that's deep, but not overly so, if you know what I mean. It's more about people's feelings, motivations, and where they come from as just normal people. Music journalists often put someone up on a pedestal and challenge them with massive philosophical questions, but punk is usually just "hey, let's have some fun playing music and see if we can get on a show." So thank you for that.
Btw you totally coulda done a product placement for Vitaminwater here! Missed opportunity! Haha
Really great conversation. I was stoked to see it in my notifications this morning. Thanks guys!
Mike has written more "good songs" than anyone else in the genre, period. It is not even close. Easily the hardest working dude in the genre. I am glad he is finally getting the mad respect he is due. I always felt bad for them for the "christian band" label and the fact they were the biggest rock band in that world for a long time, even though they weren't. They had to "act" a certain way not to alienate their christian fans but still try and gain respect from the very anti-christian punk scene. Ultimately I think it worked out, because they are still here, still writing GOOD songs. Yuri is god tier punk drummer and Tom is just plain cool.
Great interview!!
I was in a band that was signed to Tooth & Nail in the late 90s. We did a bunch of shows with MXPX and their side project “Arthur”. Everyone on the label hoped they would be the next MXPX.
Which band? I used to listen to a lot of T&N stuff. Some absolutely quality bands were on that label.
@@ProgrammedForDamage Pep Squad
@@lowenbad Thanks. I might check you out. I live in Australia so pretty much my first point of contact to the T&N bands back then was the 'Songs From The Penalty Box' compilations. If I found a band I liked on them then I'd try and source the album the song come from.
@@ProgrammedForDamage I think we were on a couple of those comps back then. It’s weird to look back on that time. Almost every T&N band had aspirations to leave the Christian music ghetto, but very few ever did.
I've been a fan of MxPx since is was 13 back in 1998. MxPx was my first show. It was at the Huntridge in las Vegas in April of 1999. MxPx is my favorite band and I have to say of all the studio albums the new one, Find a Way Home, Is my favorite. It is by far the most mature album to date and I relate to it right now in my life. I love the faster pace of this album I've looked up to Mike for 25 years and I would say that I still do in some aspects.
LOVE THIS! Gotta say, I just got back from Chicago last week, and as soon as I stepped off the plane there was a dude heading to Chicago and he was wearing a new MxPx t shirt from the new album! MXPX Forever.
This is awesome , MxPx was my entry to punk! Used to love playing guitar to them on Cd!
I'm a newer fan of MxPx and it sucks that I spent so much time not listening to them. Mike seems so genuine and it's awesome to hear him just talk about life. Great interview Finn!
Glad you made this happen! Fun to hear more of their back story. They were my introduction to punk in the 7th grade back in Puyallup!
How weird we have the same name and started listening to them in the same grade. Are you 35/36?
We opened for MxPx at a church in Ventura, CA when I was 14. I have been a fan ever since and always respected them. I was always into "normal pink" like NOFX, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Minor Threat, the most goes on... but I always loved MxPX and Black Eyed Sceva while I was a church kid. I never realized how much I was there for the beginning.
One of the best bands out there , they always stood out for me from the crowd, they have their own style I have always thought
I picked up Pokinatcha on a whim while I was in Wal-Mart in like '91 or '92, somewhere around that time, and it hooked me right away. I played the hell out of that CD, along with Unknown Road, and Punk in Drublic. Damn, I miss the '90s.
Freaking love MxPx. The new album kills.
MxPx came to Dallas OR as a part of the Tooth & Nail deal in '94 I remember thinking how awesome it was to have them in my little town at a local church youth event. There were a couple other bands with them, don't remember, but man we livin' large with MxPx in town that night.
mike is awesome. love mxpx and its positive message!
Mxpx is one of my favorite pop punk bands with Green Day and bowling for soup
Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo !Still my fave !
For real ...God I still feel that crush on Tiauna listening to that album! Hahaha
Thank you for covering MxPx
Don’t know him personally but I wish I could cuz Mike seems like the coolest & nicest dude. Kinda like Mark Hoppus, he’s the cool dad/uncle I wish I had in my life.
About every 7-10 years I run through MXPX, reminds me of being 14 and my garage band buddies, Jr High and summer camp immediately.
Really cool interview.i met Mike once and he was really kind and cool
Perfect interview in terms of Questions and a conversation. You do it naturally.
Mike was a big inspiration for me and a reason for the music I like today. Met a couple times over the years and has always made time to talk.
this is such a cleansing, and un-muddling convo with one my old dashboard heros. thanks to both for lending this to my own, sniped archive.
Great interview! MxPx fan since Pokinatcha release!
Thank you for doing this interview. I have been listening to MXPX since 8th grade! Through out my life, they have always been a band on my top lists. Great interview 😁🎧
The new album is very solid! Good interview!
You are both so down to earth, it is refreshing. Great interview full of stuff that the younger generations needs to hear.
I literally JUST watched the tooth& nail documentary on youtube TWO nights ago! I’m 44 but didn’t start loco g heavy music til the past 5 years so I JUST found out about MXPX! This is awesome!
This was so good.
MxPx was the first band that got me into punk rock
Been a fan since I grabbed a CD from a Christian bookstore back in mid 90s. So stoked that they’re still rockin. New album is excellent and I also love Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo.
I also "grabbed" one of them from a Christian bookstore.
I was already into the band, considering I grew up just across the narrows bridge. When I realized their music was sold in Christian stores, it was the most logical place to shoplift from lol
Dude this was awesome! I enjoyed Find a Way Home and have loved MXPX for about 20 years now. I've met Mike a couple times and he's a very approachable guy. Thanks for the upload. You're becoming the Joe Rogan of the punk scene and try to take that in a positive way 😂😂😂
Great interview Finn, despite your best efforts it seemed like Mike dodged the point in an attempt to keep the tone positive so I'll say it... MXPX was probably one of the most marketable punk bands of the 90's, and had they not signed to Tooth and Nail there is the potential they could have become absolutely huge. Compare Life in General to Cheshire Cat... from a marketability standpoint, pre-Enima Blink was not even close.
I love Mxpx and their new album is awesome!
I been to over 16 mxpx shows awesome interview. glad mike is still going
Great interview. Love the DIY start. Had no idea they were considered a Christian band until recently. Good tunes.
Great interview, nicely done!
Great interview guys! I love the new record so far. I also related to Mike’s take on the sound of Secret Weapon and Life in General. Secret Weapon deserves more credit imo.
I love MxPx. I was 16 and attended my very FIRST show with one of my best friends. It was at the Santa Anita Fairgrounds in Arcadia, CA. Sponsored by a local radio station here, KROQ. They were amongst the lineup with Sugarcult, Lit, and some band called Handsome Devil. Needless to say MxPx was my favorite. They played a great set, while I experienced fighting for my life in a mosh pit for the very first time. It was f-ing awesome. I’ll remember that forever ❤
dude i remember handsome devil
I really love Mike’s podcast.
What I like is how he interviews just average people who work in supportive roles like photographers or producers who aren’t huge names.
It just goes to show not everyone is some famous rock photographer but can still make a living.
Thanks ❤ Mike is one of my role models. Such a nice guy and great bassist/songwritter
My Dude Mikey Mike!!! I love MxPx!!!
Man...just went down memory lane starting with Pokinatcha. What an epic run you guys have had. Kudos and thanks for all the great tunes 👍
I love mxpx and they're all just so nice. Mike is always really humble and natural in interviews and stuff. They even write back to fans comments and stuff online.
Love this band, great guys and great music from the very beginning. Awesome!
Mxpx is the real deal. Class act. Awesome band.