Before Everything & After

Performer: MxPx
Artist: The Halo Friendlies
Engineer: Annette Cisneros
Producer: Dave Jerden
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. MxPx: Mike Herrera (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, piano, synthesizer, bass); Tom Wisniewski (acoustic & electric guitars); Yuri Ruley (drums, percussion). Additional personnel includes: The Halo Friendlies, Benji Madden, Kris Roe, Jordan Pundik. Recorded at El Dorado Studios, Burbank, California. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel: Tom Wisniewski (guitar, acoustic guitar); Steve Duda, Phil Shanale (keyboards); Yuri Ruley (drums, cymbals, percussion). Audio Mixers: Chris Lord-Alge; Dave Jerden; Tom Lord-Alge; Ben Grosse. Recording information: El Dorado Studios, Burbank, CA. Photographer: F. Scott Schafer. A lot is made of MxPx's Christian beliefs and lyrical themes, but one listen to BEFORE EVERYTHING & AFTER reveals a band whose positive outlook differs little from legendary NYC hardcore straight-edge combos like Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits in practice. In addition, the group performs with a relaxed confidence and professionalism unmatched by few rock bands of any religious inclination. Though the album cover shows the group members sporting more tattoos than a ship full of drunken sailors just back from leave, the music contained on the disc is all good-time mosh-pit fun. Not content to rest on its laurels, however, the band branches out into emo territory, with several songs ("Quit Your Life," "On the Outs") reveling in personal and romantic subject matter that's definitely more adult than one would expect from a band most often associated with skateboarding junior high schoolers.

MxPx were a spunky trio of Pacific Northwest teenagers with discreetly Christian lyrics and a crisp, tight attack when they were signed to Tooth & Nail Records in 1994. They released three albums for the label and then defected to A&M Records, where bigger budgets afforded them grander production and a busy touring schedule. Being exposed to enthusiastic crowds during the late-'90s heyday of pop/punk paid off, and by 2005, the band had built up such a loyal following that they decided to leave A&M and record independently, pursuing a leaner punk sound. MxPx also helped pave the way for a bundle of emotionally driven pop/punk acts with lyrics that, while not expressly religious, dealt openly with matters of faith.

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