MxPx is an American punk rock band from Bremerton, Washington (USA), active since 1992 and considered one of the bands that most contributed to the spread of American pop punk in the 1990s to a growing audience. From the beginning, the band stood out for energetic, direct, and engaging live performances, quickly becoming a reference point in the scene.
The group was initially called Magnified Plaid, inspired by the original guitarist’s passion for plaid shirts. The name, too long for concert flyers, was shortened to M.P.; in the handwriting of drummer Yuri Ruley, the dots looked like “X”. Since he made the band’s posters, the name MxPx remained permanently.
The original lineup consisted of Mike Herrera (bass and vocals), Yuri Ruley (drums), and Andy Husted (guitar). The three were classmates at Central Kitsap High School in Silverdale and were only 15 years old when they started playing together, drawing inspiration from punk rock classics and the California skate punk scene, with influences ranging from Ramones, Descendents, Operation Ivy to the pop punk of Green Day and Blink-182.
After some early self-produced demos, in 1993 MxPx signed with Tooth & Nail Records, and in 1994 released their debut album Pokinatcha, enthusiastically received by the punk scene. Shortly after, Andy Husted left the band, replaced by guitarist Tom Wisniewski, who became a permanent member. This was followed by Teenage Politics (1995) and Life in General (1996), two key albums that cemented MxPx’s reputation as one of the most solid and promising melodic punk bands of the 1990s.
MxPx’s music is distinguished by the ability to balance melody and aggression, thanks to immediate guitar riffs and lyrics addressing themes such as friendship, growing up, youth disillusionment, rebellion, and human relationships, always maintaining direct and accessible language. Over the years, their sound has also incorporated emo and ska punk elements, without losing their identity.
Their growing success led the band to sign a major distribution deal with A&M Records, releasing Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo (1998), which later achieved RIAA-certified Gold record, along with the compilation Let It Happen, followed by the live album At the Show (1999). In 2000, The Ever Passing Moment was released, receiving excellent reception and allowing the band to join the Conspiracy of One Tour supporting The Offspring and Cypress Hill.
In 2003, they released Before Everything & After, which entered the Billboard charts. When A&M Records was acquired by Universal, the band chose not to renew their contract and moved to SideOneDummy Records, releasing their seventh album Panic, supported by an intense live schedule between 2005 and 2006.
In 2007, Secret Weapon was released, followed in 2009 by On the Cover II and Punk Rawk Christmas. In 2012, Plans Within Plans was released. While announcing a reduction in live activity, the band clarified they had not broken up and still intended to write and record music.
Throughout their career, MxPx has often been compared to Green Day and Blink-182 when describing the evolution of melodic punk in the 1990s and 2000s. They have toured extensively worldwide, building a global fanbase that continues to support the band wherever they play—something the band has often described as a dream they do not take for granted. They have shared the stage with bands such as The Offspring, Green Day, Blink-182, and NOFX, and have appeared at major tours and festivals including Vans Warped Tour, Punk in Drublic Tour, and When We Were Young Festival.
MxPx is known for high-impact live shows, featuring constant energy and strong audience interaction. They were recently headliners at Punk Rock Christmas and took part in several dates of NOFX’s farewell tour, including the final show, during which Fletcher of Pennywise destroyed Mike Herrera’s iconic orange bass on stage. The band has also received the key to the City of Bremerton, appeared in a Super Bowl commercial, and recorded the theme song for the 2002 Scooby-Doo film. Today, they operate their own recording facility, Monkey Trench Studios, located in their hometown.
The band’s connection with the scene remains strong: Mike Herrera and Mark Hoppus (Blink-182) are longtime friends, and Hoppus collaborated with MxPx on “Wrecking Hotel Rooms”. The band has also worked with Zebrahead and Bad Cop/Bad Cop on the acoustic video for “Nothing In The Dark”. In addition to MxPx, Mike Herrera is also the bassist for Goldfinger, further strengthening ties within the international punk and ska-punk scene.
To date, MxPx has released eleven full-length albums, alongside an extensive catalog of EPs, compilations, B-sides, and singles. In 2018, the song “Let’s Ride” became one of the band’s most popular tracks and was later featured in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 (2020), introducing MxPx to an entirely new generation of fans and reinforcing their strong connection to skate punk culture.
Today, over 30 years after their formation, and with new music planned for 2026, MxPx continues to be one of the longest-running, most recognizable, and influential American melodic punk bands, still capable of attracting new generations of fans and igniting stages worldwide.
PUNKADEKA FESTIVAL 2026
Saturday, September 5
From early afternoon until late evening (ending compatible with public transport)
Circolo Magnolia, Segrate (Milan, Italy)
MXPX (Exclusive European Show) and many more bands to be announced soon!
Tickets on DICE!
Official festival website
Instagram profile
Official Playlist
