MxPx has rejoined Tooth & Nail Records, reestablishing a strong and
familiar relationship that dates back to the beginning of the legendary
Washington state trio’s illustrious recording and touring career.
“We were at a place where, somehow, we found ourselves on this freeway
looking at a Tooth & Nail off-ramp. And it looked pretty good!”
says singer/bassist Mike Herrera.
After three albums and two EP’s on Tooth & Nail (including the
landmark “Life in General”), as many more for a major label and 2005’s
widely-hailed return to form “Panic,” MxPx is hard at work in a Seattle
studio on what will be their first album for The Nail in over ten
years. And the new material? It’s incredible.
“There was nothing we didn’t like about our last label, we just felt
like we have to try new things and always keep things fresh,” Herrera
explains. “Tooth & Nail has grown tremendously as a label since we
parted ways. In talking to the people there, there is a real enthusiasm
for our band. It’s awesome.”
Comments Tooth & Nail founder Brandon Ebel: “MxPx was a huge part
of establishing Tooth & Nail. It was exciting to put out their
first album and it will be equally exciting to introduce their new
material to the world.”
A staple of the Warped Tour, MTV2 and Fuse, an international draw in
countries as diverse as Australia and Japan, MxPx has been making
records since they were in high school, starting with the seminal
“Pokinatcha.” They have survived the ebbs and flows of the trends,
sticking to their guns with their integrity and credibility intact,
with critical love from Alternative Press and praise from their peers.
And as much as the band has returned home to the label that launched
them, MxPx is working hard to deliver an album that reestablishes their
core sound, as well. Their as-yet untitled new album, due out in the
summer, promises to offer a fresh take on the core elements their fans
have always loved.
The new album also reunites MxPx with Aaron Sprinkle, who produced the
band’s very first album, and went on to work with Pedro The Lion,
Anberlin, Eisley and Emery, to name just a few.
“It’s going to be a good mix of stuff. It’s going to be mixed with
super pop and super fast, melodic punk rock. A lot of aggression,
energy and hooks,” Herrera enthuses.
“I think we’re over trying to experiment too much with too many
different styles,” he elaborates. “Everything is very honest and
straight-forward. Our last album was the reintroduction to MxPx but I
still felt like it wasn’t as much MxPx as this record is going to be.
We were just on our way and now we’ve arrived. This definitely won’t be
our last record, but, we want to approach every record like it could
be.”
Close followers of MxPx’s career may recall a bit of acrimony from the
band’s initial split with their original home. But it’s all water under
the bridge for The Nail’s prodigal sons now.
“We regret a lot of things that happened and I think the label does,
too. This was a chance to rebuild the bridge over some of the mistakes
we had all made,” Mike says. “We were both very young and the label and
the band were growing very fast,” agrees Ebel. “It feels great to put
all of that behind us and move forward with a brand new MxPx album on
Tooth & Nail.”
There is so much positivity and enthusiasm that it can’t help but
propel MxPx even further to uncharted heights in 2007 and beyond. Look
forward to a major tour announcement from MxPx soon!