Originally Mike, Andy, and Yuri played punk under the name Magnified Plaid. Andy, the original MxPx guitarist, was often seen wearing a particularly loud plaid jacket, and this inspired the moniker. The band never really loved their name, and consequently, it was shortened to M.P. Yuri, the drummer, who was the appointed poster maker at the time, started the chain of events leading to the current band name, MxPx. Posters at the time, consisted of a picture of plaid under a magnifying glass, revealing a cross pattern of plaid. Yuri wrote the bands name M.P. with periods looking like small x's. The name was understandably misread and stuck. We know them as MxPx.

MxPx officially began in July of 1992 in Bremerton, Washington. Yuri had been playing drums in another band, and he was introduced to Mike and Andy, the original MxPx guitarist. They wanted to enter the Junior High talent show. I don't know if they won! Mike played bass and sang, Andy played guitar and screamed at certain times, and Yuri played drums because he was better at drums than screaming!

The original hard-core MxPx sound of Pokinatcha was inspired by bands such as The Clash, and The Descendants, all 80's punk rock. In order to become known, they played at every opportunity,  including Mike and Andy's back yard. Mike's Mom, who still helps run the books, arranged for the band to play a showcase for Tooth and Nail Records, a new indie label, dealing in the Christian market. The company liked what they heard and signed the band. MxPx released their first single, 17, while still in Junior High. I know that Yuri was either in grade 9 or in grade 10 still!

The band released Pokinatcha. MxPx realized that as soon as they left school, they would be touring non-stop. Andy didn't want the band to become full-time, and MxPx decided they needed a new guitarist. They hooked up with Tom, and Mike taught him the songs. Andy was quite upset. Now, when MxPx is in town, they go to church with Andy, and he has a kid and works construction.

Then came. Teenage Politics, and the cover album, On the Cover. With the release of Teenage Politics, MxPx moved towards a poppier, more current sound, not unlike pop-punk band NOFX, and Greenday. Life in General was released in 1996, and MxPx achieved mainstream popularity. This record was fast and fun. The now defunct A&M records picked up on MxPx, after several appearances on MTV(Oddville), MxPx signed a long-term agreement with A&M Records in 1997. Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo, was released in early 1998, and was marketed by A&M in the mainstream, and T&N in the Christian market. With the merger of Polygram, including both Geffin and A&M in to Universal Music Group(Universal Studios), MxPx along with the rest of A&M, was merged into Interscope Records, now part of the Universal Studio Group.

MxPx was featured on the Vans Warped Tour of 1998, but has decided not to participate this year due to heavy touring.

Let it Happen, a tribute album from T&N was released at the end of 1998. Check out Gossip to read about the band leaving the label! If you are interested in reading what MxPx has to say about all these things, why not check out the interviews.

Why did MxPx leave Tooth and Nail? Click here to read MxPx's manager's statement. Ken Parker of Your mom still listens to MxPx, had the chance to ask Tom's opinion. Of course, Tooth and Nail Records has a comment.

Here's an interview with Bill Power of T&N. Bandoppler Radio recently interviewed Bill  Power and asked a couple of hard-hitting questions.

-I know this is a touchy subject, and so I will handle it in as Christian of a manner as possible... Do you think that the strong derogatory statements and implications made over the past year by MxPx have effected things at T&N?
-Not really. I've moved on with my life. We have a lot more bands than just MxPx.

-Has that conflict been resolved? 
-Not really. But we are working, as always, towards reconciliation.

-I know I am probably going out of bounds here, so you may defer, but I have to ask, can you give us a statement about that conflict at all, tell us what happened that fostered the apparent bad blood between T&N and MxPx?
-The final chapters have not been written in this story. God can do anything...
Bill Power seemed reluctant to talk about it but, feels optimistic that with God's help they can possibly resolve this. Bill also answered some questions about T&N's spirituality.

-What was the reasoning behind stating to the general public (like magazines and such) that T&N is no longer a "Christian" label? Is there still a commitment to promoting Christian bands, Christian ideals, and the Gospel within T&N? What exactly should be understood from this stance against the "Christian" stigma?
-I never said that, and I'm sure Brandon never said it. In fact, we have stated emphatically on a number of occasions that Brandon and myself are Christians. Is everybody on staff? No. Is every band member? No. And it's always been that way. What is a Christian label? We have never claimed to be one...because we think the term is meaningless. If it means anything, it means that the music is only for Christians. That's not what we're about. Are you committed to the Gospel? Of course you are. Are Brandon and I as people committed to it, yes. Everybody refers to us (in the real world and elsewhere) as "the Christian label". Everybody who is critical of us for downplaying our Christianity doesn't have their eyes open. Read the press. Mainstream magazines rarely review one of our records without offering a disclaimer or saying something about us being Christians. Our spirituality comes through our records and everything we do. You just have to open your eyes to it.

-Do you think that T&N is straying from any of its other original ideals that made it grow so quickly, such as giving your bands personal, caring attention, and focusing on producing original and creative works? In other words, do you think that things are becoming too business- like, or is there still a strong focus on artistic integrity?
-What the bands do is up to the bands. I always controlled every aspect of my records. Mike, from Puller, produced his own record and did his own artwork. If the band doesn't know what they are doing, then we step in. I talk with the bands that I A&R on a regular basis...finding out what is going on with them and help them in any way that I can. We believe in the records we put out...if we didn't, we simply wouldn't put them out.

-Do you think that T&N's monetary successes have changed anything within the label management? Do you sometimes worry that money will or has begun to overshadow the music?
-No. Not in the slightest.

Taken from interview in Bandoppler Radio in the February issue.

I personally like Tooth and Nail Records because of the great bands they put out, but I do not agree with the business practices that seem to be alluded to in Creigton's comments. I think there is exaggeration on both sides of the debate. Oh Yah, I bought Let it Happen! To read a great commentary on this, go here! (Courtesy of Ken's MxPx Page)

Is MxPx a Christian Band?- No. As Mike said,"We're Christians, not missionaries, it's what we believe."

Does Mike have a girlfriend named Andrea?- Yes he does. Read an interview with her in the I DUNNO punk magazine.

Why did MxPx leave Tooth and Nail Records?- Basically, they believed they were being ripped off, and A&M offered a better contract. Check out T&N vs. Mxpx.

How can I contact Mike?- I'm not telling!
 

 
 
 

Rumor 1-When MxPx recorded Pokinatcha, Mike played all the instruments. Later he showed Tom and Yuri how to play guitar and drums. Andy never existed.

Disproved-Look at the pictures in Pokinatcha buddy. Mike's a lot better guitar player than Andy, just listen to The Cooties. And Yuri has an unmistakable bass pedal style. Don't ask me how I tell, I just do, and that was him on Pokinatcha.

Rumor 2-Yuri had cancer, and recently died.

Disproved-This was big in December. Now it seems really stupid considering they are playing shows right now! The Official site said that MXPX_booking@hotmail.com started it. Well, they were wrong!  I accidentally came across, a small site, called: The Official Anti-MxPx Site. Here is where it all started.

Rumor 3-MxPx is gay.
Disproved-Mike has a girlfriend, and all three are planning to remain celibate until marriage. Besides that, you've got the songs, Move to Bremerton, Want Ad, Andrea, I'm Ok, You're Ok etc..

Rumor 4-Mike was arrested for possession of Cocaine.
Disproved-Mike said, "..it kinda makes me mad, why would they believe that." I take his word. If Mike was arrested, I doubt it could have stayed hidden.

Rumor 5-MxPx are sellouts and are not Christian.
Disproved-How about a quote from Yuri. " As far as spiritual, I think we’re just trying to live with integrity for God. You know, and before people too. We never had like a mission statement where we were gonna be this evangelical band. It's interesting to see where we're placed. Because a lot of Christian bands, they're really out loud about God, and that's fine, because obviously if you're a Christian, you're claiming to be a follower of Christ, and so you care about those things, and you want to tell people about it, which is good, and we want to let other people know too, but there's different ways to do it. And since we don’t really preach, or talk on stage, its made us easier to swallow for a lot of secular bands. So they want to tour with us, and touring with them we get to know these people and build friendships with them. And, in a way, that would be like witnessing." There you go!