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It's great to go to a concert and hear a band that's brand new to you, especially if it's love at first hook/beat/riff/yell. But it's equally great to see a show where you know 95 percent of the words, kind of like coming back to a very loud home.
Before MxPx went on Tuesday night at the Warehouse in Carson City, another attendee mentioned that MxPx was, like, his favorite band when he was 13. I was in a similar boat, having come across the band at about that same age and then falling in love with the entire catalogue but not really keeping up with the Bremerton, Wash., band since their 2003 album "Before Everything and After."
But lead singer and bassist Mike Herrera, guitarist Tom Wisniewski and drummer Yuri Ruley have been playing shifting flavors of punk since 1995 and released their eighth studio album last year and were nearing the end of a tour as they played Oct. 7.
Out with the middle, in with the old
I wasn't even aware of that latest effort, 2007's "Secret Weapon," until I learned about their approaching Northern Nevada visit. But this wasn't much of a problem.
Of the 22 songs, three were from "Secret Weapon." The catchy title track and "Not Nothing" went over well, and "Chop Shop" ("Reading the newspaper, and somebody got axed, and we wrote a song about it," Herrera explained.) was just about the most punk rock thing they've done since their 1994 debut, "Pokinatcha," or the b-sides collection "Let It Happen."
"Secret Weapon" is in many ways a return to past form, mixing harder tracks favored by original fans with catchy pop tracks that are comparable to the sound of 1996's "Life in General" or 2000's "The Ever Passing Moment."
The band's and crowd's preference for older material was evident, as those two albums received the most love: six songs from "Life" and four from "Moment."
And only one track, "Young and Depressed," from 2005's "Panic" was performed, while 2003's "Before Everything & After" was shunned. Herrera even referred to it as "the forgotten album," despite it being their best-charting work and it having the song "Well Adjusted" be featured in a Pepsi commercial. In case you're counting, that's four songs from 2001 and later, and 17 songs from 2000 and earlier (and one cover: The Clash's "Should I Stay or Go?" with lead vocals by Wisniewski).
Instead of the old stuff being phased out, it appears that much of the new millennium is what the band, with most fans' blessing, is letting go.
Staying strong
I last saw MxPx in 2002 when they accompanied Dashboard Confessional and were at a venue comparable to the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort. The smaller Warehouse is quite a contrast, but made for an overall better experience. The scores of fans clearly were into the band and got nice and close.
And the band was into them. After gleefully soliciting requests, Herrera said he now knew what it felt like to be a waiter, as every one seemed to have a favorite. Sure, they didn't get to meet everyone's demand, but Herrera rightfully blamed this on the band having "about 10 million songs, some of them we don't even know."
Throughout the show, which lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes, he and Wisniewski cheerfully bantered with each other and connected with the audience. Early in the set, during a small lull, Herrera said, "I don't feel at home when it's quiet," which was answered by enthusiastic cheers. "Oh, now I feel at home ... because I live in a dirty rock club."
Later, he got vocal help from the crowd and even came down to floor level.
And Wisniewski put on a puzzled expression, explaining that "there's usually at least a few hecklers." Shouts of skepticism showed that that would not be the case at this show.
And although the band hadn't stopped in Carson City before, Herrera had some memory of its northern neighbor.
"I'd like to say it's good to be back, but we've never played here before ... so it's good to be here for the first time," he said. "We've played in Reno, but so far, I think I like Carson City a little better."
Be that as it may, I wouldn't have minded not driving 50 minutes. But when it was done, I have to say it easily was worth it. MxPx is moving into their second decade, but they sound better than ever when playing live, and their newest work fits in easily with the songs that endeared them to my younger, and now present, self.
Mad props are also due the Warehouse for ...
- Using MxPx buttons as proof of purchase instead of wrist bands or stamps.
- Selling show posters (11" x 17") that could be signed by the bands.
- Offering dinner-show tickets where you get to eat with the bands before the show. Yes, they're twice as much, but it's an option fans don't normally even have.
- Wrangling a deal with Denny's to get 10 percent off the bill if fans go there after the show.
- Encouraging band members to stick around for an impressively long time to talk with fans and sign posters, CDs and even pants.
- Installing large projectors that show the concert larger than life in case your view is less than perfect.
- Employing staff members that are friendly and helpful, whether they're hunting down merch, inviting everyone to Denny's or just manning the door.
Set list:
1. The Wonder Years (Life in General)
2. Secret Weapon (Secret Weapon)
3. Sometimes You Have to Ask Yourself (Life in General)
4. Tomorrow's Another Day (Slowly going the Way of the Buffalo)
5. My Life Story (The Ever Passing Moment)
6. Buildings Tumble (The Ever Passing Moment)
7. The Final Slowdance (Slowly going the Way of the Buffalo)
8. Not Nothing (Secret Weapon)
9. Young and Depressed (Panic)
10. Southbound (Life in General)
11. Doing Time (Life in General)
12. Party, My House, Be There (Slowly going the Way of the Buffalo)
13. GSF (Let It Happen)
14. Cristalena (Life in General)
15. Chop Shop (Secret Weapon)
16. Should I Stay or Should I Go? (The Clash cover)
17. Walking Bye (Pokinatcha)
18. PxPx (Pokinatcha)
19. The Next Big Thing (The Ever Passing Moment)
20. Chick Magnet (Life in General)
21. Responsibility (The Ever Passing Moment)
22. Punk Rawk Show (Teenage Politics)
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