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Incidentally Christian >> For MxPx, defending the faith isn't job one by RUPERT BOTTENBERG
MxPx play pop punk firmly grounded on the Green Day/NOFX axis. Despite their youth (average age: the big two-oh), the Bremerton, Washington trio have managed to build a solid following in a scene that's facing a genuine overpopulation crisis. Perhaps it's bassist Mike Herrera's talent for crafting the requisite catchy melodies. More likely, it's the fact that being as young as they are gives a shot of authenticity to their portraits of suburban adolescence: cute girls and jock bullies and Saturday nights with nothing to do. On their most recent album, Life in General, the guy upstairs gets only passing references at best. Blink and you'll miss them. Calling MxPx a Christian punk band is, then, something of a misnomer. Preaching, to the converted or otherwise, is not on the agenda. "Look at ('80s Christian hair-metallists) Stryper, or Petra," says Wisniewski. "They were good for a certain crowd of people. There are Christians who are really into that, hearing it right in their face." But MxPx don't swing that way. Truth is, the only time you're liable to witness MxPx dragging their gear into a church is for an all-ages skatepunk blowout in the basement. These guys open for the Sex Pistols, not Billy Graham. It must be frustrating, then, the amount of grief their personal beliefs have earned them, particularly considering that the punk scene is supposed to be open-minded and accepting. As young as he is, Wisniewski is mature enough to distinguish between the affirmative values which Christ taught and the corrupt mess that organized Christianity has become. Sadly, too many punk rockers weaned on the anti-Christian rants of MDC and Dead Kennedys can't see that difference and question aloud MxPx's right to be punk in the first place. Case in point: on the Mirror's own Rant Line™ a few weeks ago, one caller lambasted another for even suggesting that pop radio was denying Christian bands such as MxPx airtime, and then promptly pointed out that Christian bands had no business being there anyway. Supposedly, merely having Christian beliefs made the band's music mind-control propaganda. Wisniewski shows his colours, accepting the band's slings and arrows in appropriate Christian fashion. "I can't hate anyone solely on the basis of their beliefs," he says. "What matters when I meet someone is, is this person a nice guy or a dick?" Amen to that, dude. With Reset and Bracket at Rainbow-ites (5345 de Maisonneuve W.), Sunday, Nov 16, 6:30pm, $10, All ages
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Religious persecution is probably too harsh a term for the circumstances. Still, one gets the impression, talking to MxPx guitarist Tom Wisniewski, that the band is uncomfortable being called on to represent their faith. "We're Christians, all three of us," says Wisniewski. "We believe in God. But the band, we consider it just a band." In fact, Wisniewski sounds downright relieved when our conversation veers away from religion to the familiar terrain of punk.