BAND: MXPX
INTERVIEWER: Christian Behl (Christian@bandvibe.com)
INTERVIEWEE: Mike Herrera (bass, vocals) & Yuri Ruley (drums)
DATE OF INTERVIEW: 12.13.06

BAND MEMBERS:
Mike Herrera - Vocals/Bass
Tom Wisniewski - Guitar
Yuri Ruley - Drums

What's your favorite tattoo(s)?
Mike: My back piece which isn't quite done yet. Not a lot of people have seen it. As for one fans have seen, the cobra on my right hand. It should be my mascot, I love cobras.

So, I saw that you guys have fans all the way across the world in Sierra Leone! I think it’s great to see the recent trends with bands promoting charities for some of the craziness that’s going on in our world. It seems like the young fans are responding well to it too, I remember a few eras when it was cool to not care. Do you have any other causes you’d like to tell us about?
Yuri: The kids in Sierra Leone received those shirts through a non-profit called Children Of The Nations. They're actually based here in Bremerton. We are also part of the One campaign, and we've done a myriad of other throughout our career.

It looks like the new release “Let it Happen” is packed full of goodies for established fans & newcomers to MxPx, what’s the best part of this deluxe edition!?
Yuri: There are three brand new songs as well as three really old songs from our very first demo that got us signed to Tooth and Nail back in 1993. Plus (nearly) all of our video's are packaged with the disc. That's the first time they've been put together on one DVD.

MxPx has been pretty consistent, releasing new albums almost every other year for seven + albums now…besides making great music, what's the secret to your longevity and success a band?
Yuri: Our fanbase is still excited about the band after all these years, and they keep coming out and supporting us by going to shows and buying our records. That coupled with our continued satisfaction with making the music we make.

When can we look forward to seeing you in San Diego? What kind of plans do you have for touring in the recent future?
Yuri: I'm not sure at the moment. We have only tentative plans for touring. Most likely starting in summer of 2007.

Do you have any landmarks that you consistently visit when you guys are traveling cross the country on tour?
Yuri: Not so much landmarks as much as restaurants and bars. A lot of times I get excited about playing a certain club in a certain city because I know there's some killer grub nearby.

What's your favorite interview question?
Yuri: I like questions about drums, mainly cause that's one of my favorite things to talk about.

What's one album you can listen to no matter what kind of mood you're in or no matter what you're doing?
Yuri: “Want One” by Rufus Wainwright.

Any advice for the young struggling musicians who look up to you guys?
Yuri: There is no secret formula. You just have to want it bad enough to make it happen.

For more information on MXPX, log onto:
+http://www.mxpx.com
+http://www.myspace.com/mxpx