MxPx

Mike Herrera: Bass/Vocals
Tom Wisniewski: Guitars
Yuri Ruley: Drums

Sometimes you can go home. Just ask the iconic, idyllic punk/pop stalwarts MxPx, who have returned to the almighty Tooth & Nail Records for their exhilarating, dexterous eighth studio album, Secret Weapon. Long on the highly-charged, infectious anthems that made them scene favorites and boasting a smattering of adventurous, classic pop-inspired winners, the trio – consisting of frontman/bassist Mike Herrera, guitarist Tom Wisniewski and drummer Yuri Ruley – has delivered what can only be called its most accomplished and cohesive disc yet.

As Secret Weapon uncorks with the 1-2 punch of the title track and “Shut It Down,” it’s hard not to think masterpiece as the Aaron Sprinkle (The Almost, Anberlin) produced set unfolds. Counting a guitar solo from Bad Religion’s Brian Baker, “Secret Weapon,” the incendiary, attention-grabber, also finds MxPx wielding its infamous, optimistic tack.

“We’ve always been a band that’s tried to focus on the sunny side of life,” acknowledges Herrera. “But we try to do it in a way that’s real to people and not cheesy. We kind of embrace the dismal and the uplifting at the same time. And “Secret Weapon,” the song and the album, sums up where MxPx is right now.”

From the aforementioned “Shut It Down” – an equally blistering homage to the Clash replete with soaring choruses, thundering drums and a vocal cameo from Sugarcult’s Tim Pagnotta – to the riotous, 90-second circle-pit anthem of “Contention” and the stellar harmonies that elevate the lush, Beach Boys-inspired “Sad Sad Song” (with guest John Davis, formerly of Superdrag on piano and backing vocals) MxPx finds the perfect balance of dichotomy and consistency on Secret Weapon.

Reuniting with Sprinkle – who also helmed the band’s 1994 debut Pokinatcha – was a home run, says Wisniewski. “Not only is Aaron a man on the rise, based on his credits, but more importantly, he’s able to help deconstruct a song and put it back together in a way that makes a lot of sense.” Case in point is “Punk Rock Celebrity,” a hard charging rocker that takes an adventurous left turn at the bridge, integrating piano and a wall of brass.

Elsewhere, the alluring contagion “Top of the Charts” is an acerbic look back at MxPx’s frustrating “we don’t hear a single” experience at a major label, it just may be the band’s most accessible number ever. “You know, they’d tell us, ‘Oh, the record’s perfect. It’s great,” says Tom. “Then two weeks later they’d be back in touch and say, ‘Can you get back to us with a couple more songs.’ Like, ‘I know you just spent the past year writing, but now can you pull an amazing single out of a hat?’”

In its decade and a half in operation, MxPx has nonetheless had its share of triumphs. Founded in July 1992 by Herrera and Ruley, the Bremerton, Washington-bred band’s line up has remained constant since Wisniewski joined in 1995. Counting a series of alternative radio and video favorites like “Punk Rawk Show,” “Chick Magnet,” “Move To Bremerton,” “I’m Okay, You’re Okay” and “Running Out Of Time” over seven extremely popular studio albums, an array of EPs, plus one live disc and a DVD.

With their weighty back catalog of should-be smashes, returning to Tooth & Nail – a label now running circles around the conglomerates when it comes to getting rock albums on the charts by the likes of Underoath, Anberlin and The Almost – made perfect sense for its glimmering but tenacious eighth album.

“It’s no secret that years ago we had a pretty well publicized falling out with them but it’s been a long time and things have healed,” Tom says. “We sort of picked up where we left off.” Fresh off the completion of an amicable deal with respected indie SideOne Dummy, MxPx began seriously considering label founder Brandon Ebel’s offer to rejoin the label.

Herrera says of Tooth & Nail’s powerful industry position helped the band’s decision, but he also insists, “A lot of it was based on redemption and wanting to right some of the wrongs and be righted for some of the wrongs that were done to us. We felt like this was our way to rebuild everything. I think, if anything, regardless of the success of this record, having that relationship with Tooth & Nail again is going to do wonders for our career, our personal lives and the well being of the whole camp.”

From the explosive closer “Tightly Wound,” which boasts a guest contribution by Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, to the upbeat punch of “Here’s To The Life”, the men in MxPx – who were handed the Keys To The City of Bremerton last year – have delivered the strongest record of its career.

“This band is sort of a microcosm of how a lot of people live their lives,” says Herrera. “And “Here’s To The Life,” kind of speaks to that. “Here’s to the life that we always never wanted.’ Like, ‘This may not always be how we planned it, but it is what it is. We might as well enjoy it.’”

With that credo in place and Secret Weapon under its sleeve, 2007 seems certain to be the year that Mike, Tom and Yuri conquer the world. Onward and upward, MxPx!