Welcome back to the Praisedown! This week the Big Friends are talking with a comic who was the first Funniest Person in Oklahoma City and host of weekly showcase Divine Comedy at the 51st Street Speakeasy. Of course, we’re talking about the still Christian CJ Lance (@almostcj)! Join us for:
- Advice to strangers on Thoughts and Prayers!
- Real Christian Hours!
- A review of MXPX’s Life in General!
A Kickflipping Good Time with Life In General
Originally forming in 1992 under the name Magnified Plaid, MXPX’s original members had rather humble beginnings as classmates at the same high school. Mike Herrera, Yuri Ruley, and Andy Husted began playing inspired by their punk predecessors such as Descendents, and Black Flag among others, though it was not long before these rowdy teens caught the attention of underground Christian label Tooth & Nail Records. In fact, the band was signed by Tooth & Nail as a result of a showcase the band played for the label in Mike Herrera’s backyard.
After releasing their first album while still in high school, Pokinatcha (1994), guitarist Andy Husted quit MXPX and was replaced by Tom Wisniewski. Despite knowing only power chords at the time he joined the band, Wisniewski’s tenure with the band would oversee the release of the very well-received albums Teenage Politics (1995) and Life in General (1996).
What Life in General lacked in angst and political fervor (a precedent set by their previous album), it more than made up for in sonic polish and *feelings*. MXPX remains true to form, maintaining their raw, skate punk sound. We also can also measure the band’s artistic growth within that sound, showing us that sometimes innovation is refinement and not reinvention. The lyrics can be hokey at times, but we are choosing to believe that this hokiness is teenage honesty and not lyrical inauthenticity.
For our full thoughts on Life in General, give this week’s show a listen!
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The Praisedown with Heath and Alex – Christian Skateboarding: MXPX with CJ Lance
