MxPx: Which side of the Fence?

[Tommy]

I made a thread similar to this for P.O.D. and I really enjoy this band, but i don`t know where they place their faith. I like their sound more than Relient K, Blink, and Simple Plan ( I really don`t like Blink ). I`m just sort of confused about this band and where their worldly levels and Christianity levels are? Help me out here.

[Stephen]

I don't belive they claim to be a Christian band. And if they do, its a job and not a ministry. I won't be longwinded on that tangent....

[Tommy]

I`ve heard multiple plces that they are Christian/ Secular, but I don`t know.

[Stephen]

I am sure plenty of Christians have called them a Christian band....but they themselves do not. If I had to guess, like other bands...such as Creed, Project 86, Blindside, they are Christians in a rock band. Now I am sure someones going to argue with Blindside...but the band have said it themselves on there message board countless times....People need to get to the point where they are not chained by mental bonds that say, I can only listen to somthing labled Christian music. Its sad how many Christians do that. There are many bands with clean lyrics that don't fall under the Christian umbrella. Broaden your horizans a bit folks.

[Tommy]

What if your dad`s a pastor and he only lets you buy Christian CDs.
Like...

coughcoughmecoughcough

[Kkun]

Then, you need to respect your dad. Honor your mother and father, all of that stuff. Just don't let it bother you too much when a band that you bought in a Christian bookstore also has mainstream success. ^^

[Stephen]

No CD is Christian. Its plastic and souless. The members of the band can be Christian. Just have your father listen to some of the stuff you want...if he OK's it...fine. It really is his call though as long as you live under his roof.

[CobaltAngel]

...such as Creed, Project 86, Blindside, they are Christians in a rock band.

Great examples. Yup, I'm with Shat on this one... everything I've heard by MxPx is clean, but not Spiritual. However, I do believe Any Christian that's in a band is in some way, shape or form serving God through that band whether they're writting songs about God or not. It makes sense to call any band whose members are Christians first and then a band a "Christian band" whether they're singing about God, girls, California, death or teenage politics. But since most use Christian band whose songs are mainy about spiritual things, no, as far as I know MxPx is not a Christian band.

[Tommy]

Speaking of which I saw your sig and it`s lyrics for 12 Stones I`m assuming...

They`re Christians, right?

I only say that because I`ve never met a person who thinks they`re secukar but they did share a music video with Evanescene which from what I`ve seen could have less ......ahem.......feaky music or music videos.

[CobaltAngel]

The lable they're on isn't Christian, but there are a couple Christian bands on it. The guys in 12Stones are all strong Christians, whether they like to be known as a Christian band or not... I always took that song to be spiritual, don't know if they meant it that way.

[Stephen]

*laughs* Don't get into the Evanescence thing. There the most honost band to ever cross from Christian music. People just don't like honosty, they prefer bands like Lifehouse that just want to make money off both music sides. As far as 12 Stones, they as many other bands...there Christians in a rock band. Same with Big Dismal on the same lable.

[Radical Dreamer]

Ahh...The coolness that is MXPX. Yah, I'm sure they're a Christian band. Listen to the song, "You Make Me, Me." Very good song. It includes lyrics as such:

MXPX LYRICS

"You Make Me, Me"

Every night I get down on my knees and pray
And thank the Lord above for you each day
I was lost and then I found you
You make my ocean, you make my sky blue

You make me smile
You make me sing
You make me scream
You make me, everything
You make me, me

What blessings has the Lord stored up for me?
You are the answer to that mystery
I was lost and then I found you
You make my ocean, you make my sky blue

You make me smile
You make me sing
You make me scream
You make me, everything
You make me laugh
You make me cry
You make me live
You make me die
You make me, me

Height won't separate us from this love,
Depth can't separate us from this love,
Can't separate from this love...

You make me smile
You make me sing
You make me scream
You make me, everything
You make me laugh
You make me cry
You make me live
You make me die

These days so few seem to have faith
In the son of man and in his grace
I feel your breathe upon my face
As you replace, my broken wings

You make me sing
You make me scream
You make me, everything
You make me, me

A couple of other good lyrics to MXPX songs:

MXPX LYRICS

"You Found Me"

Thought that I was- was a goner everyone had written my life off dreamed
about better days and hoped that I could make it happen somehow
someone please -please help me I'm dying from the inside out
come to find out God loves me come to find out I was not alone
you found me - you found me - you found me... regeneration,
a new sensation the rebuilding of my broken heart I've put my faith
into action I've got a clean, a brand new start the more I seek,
the more I find you it seems the wonders never cease
how can I ever re-pay you help me Lord to see just
what you say you found me - you found me - you found me...
empty dreams, hollow schemes don't get trapped into the things of this world
you'll find out like I found out hey! they just won't fill your life no! you want life -
real life? then let Jesus find you like he found me you found me


MXPX LYRICS

"Jars Of Clay"

A promise from a
cardboard box so
commonly thrown on
the street how easily we
break apart but we never
seem to stay that
way there's something
inside those jars
of clay!(2cor.4:16)
outwardly we're wasting
away inside we're
renewed day by day it's
always him it's never me
he is truth why can't you
see? there's something
inside those jars of clay.


So those are some of the lyrics you'll find in MXPX's songs. Granted, they are more of a cross-over band, but their other more secular songs only deal with teenage issues and feelings. Other than that, they're a very good, up-beat, Christian punk-rock band to listen to. They've been around for about 12-13, maybe even 14 years now, I think. You can find more of their lyrics here, if you're still interested: http://plyrics.com/m/mxpx.html

Enjoy! ^_^

[Stephen]

I'm sure they're a Christian band

Granted, they are more of a cross-over band,

You just contradicted yourself...I must say, it makes Christians look silly to run around labeling things Christian that really are not. Belive it or not folks, Christians can be in secular rock bands. How would you feel if someone told you that you were not Christian enough at your job? Not every Christian playing music does it for a ministry. And really, we have no right to say if thats right or wrong. As I mentioned...funny, people don't run around claiming that a Christian working at a gas station is not pumping gas Christian enough....

[Radical Dreamer]

Oh, whoops, sorry. They used to be a predominately Christian Band, but now they're a secular band with Christian group members. Hence the "cross-over" part of my last post. They still do write Christian songs, though. "You Make Me, Me" is from one of their newest albums. I know that Christains can be in secular rock bands, I think that's awesome. The guys from U2 are Christians. And I didn't say that it was wrong to be a secular band...Secular bands make up the majority of my CD collection...I guess I should have said, "I'm sure they're Christians." But it's true that they used to be a Christian band, back in the day, when they were starting out. Besides, I was just trying to help the author of this post decide if he/she would be allowed to listen to them or not. So sowwie if I offended j00 or somethin'...Really didn't mean to! ^_^ Hope there's no hard feelings or anything...n_n'

[Stephen]

No hard feelings...(I am glad you see things how you do) Its just sad how many people are blind to music today. They are fed almost...musical propaganda every day...to the point where if a band starts playing secular shows...there evil and going to hell..and we should throw there cds away. People are downright dogmatic and scary on music...yet don't share the same creed when it comes to movies, TV, or video games.

[Radical Dreamer]

Yeah, I know...Gets on my nerves, too. I go to a Christain high school, and they won't allow any kind of music except for Christian music when we take field trips and whatnot. Seriously, not all secular music is evil or whatever...When will they learn? -_-' =@

[Dont-Lose-Heart]

yep they're Christians and all their music is clean. there is a lot more Christian influence in their older stuff but there is still a bit in their latest. the thing about it is that they wont have any praise or worship songs they will mention things pretaining to Christianity sometimes though. pretty much i think you could toss it any way but they said before that they wern't a Christian band which depending on how you define a Christian band would be true because they dont have any praise or worship songs. i'd say the band would be more on the Christian side than the secular just because they are Christians and they make Christian references and i haven't heard anything in their music that i thought went against what Christians should say. hmm in the end if your dad had a problem with any of their stuff it would have to be the more recent cds.
hmm this is just me but i dont buy any cd's that i'd consider non Christian cd's and i'd be happy to buy another MxPx cd

[CobaltAngel]

funny, people don't run around claiming that a Christian working at a gas station is not pumping gas Christian enough....

Exactly, not every Christian is in minitry, but we're all serving God.

Seriously, not all secular music is evil or whatever...When will they learn? -_-' =@

Right, there is some secular music out their that's clean. It's dangerous, however, because rom my exprience, they tend to let you down with their lyrics as they become more popular. As if they think writting about bad stuff will attract more fans or something. In fact, I can't think of a secular band that doesn't have Christian members that HASN'T disappointed me in some way.

[Stephen]

In fact, I can't think of a secular band that doesn't have Christian members that HASN'T disappointed me in some way.

Well also remember, not everyones convictions are the same.

[xCAFx]

Yes not everyones convictions are the same. I for one listen to some secular music that is still good like Unearth (lyriclly) and a few others though i try to keep it at a minimum. On the christians in a band thing; an example would be ZAO they say they are christians but have never been a "ministry" band though there is a great deal of spiritual input in their songs. Back to the MXPX thing; I recently bought their B-side DVD. Now in my oppinion they used to be more christian influenced but have fallen away some. Were christians not saints: were not perfect. I think that MXPX has ALWAYS been a punk band with spiritual influences on their lyrics. They are not a ministry band. They do it for the fans, just playing punk rock. Theyr is nothing wrong with this. Though i think the Drinking and cussing could have been left out of the DVD that is the REAL MXPX.



(I eventualy tossed the DVD for personel reasons)

[Todeskreuz]

MXPX is another of those christian/secular crossover bands... they play tons on the torch on XM and play at tons of christian concerts my youth minister is a huge fan of them and has met them and said they claim to be a christian band so *shrugs* who knows I like 'em