Mike Herrera
Encyclopedia
Michael Arthur Herrera (b. November 6, 1976) is an American musician most widely known as the vocalist and bass guitarist for the pop punk
band MxPx
, as well as being the front-man of his new band Tumbledown
.
to Art and Michele Herrera and is of Mexican
descent. He is the middle of three children and has an older sister and a younger sister. His parents still live in Bremerton in the house he grew up in. Herrera started MxPx
while he was in high school with friends Andy Husted
and Yuri Ruley
with the band's first performance in his back yard.
and vocalist as well as playing the bass guitar
in the pop punk
band MxPx
.Herrera started the band with Andy Husted
and Yuri Ruley
in the summer of 1992, just before starting high school. In time it became clear that Andy was unable or unwilling to go on tours. Andy left the band and was replaced by Tom Wisniewski who (at the time) had little experience playing guitar and was more proficient on the drums.
and Johnny Cash
. The sound of Herrera's new project differs greatly from MxPx taking a lighter, more country
inspired sound. He says “It's all about the songs. What it sounds like depends on who you are,” and “I don't claim that we're a country band... we're just a band...I just like the fact that it's a different sound,” Herrera says. “Different than a country band, different than a punk rock band, different than a rockabilly band -- we're somewhere there in the ether, somewhere in between it all.”
, on their album Truth in Sincerity
..
He has been in several side projects. They are:Tumbledown
, Arthur
(MxPx plus their former bass tech Neil), The Cootees
(Mike Herrera, Jiles Brandon, Tom Wisniewski, and Dale Yob).
Herrera opened his own music production studio, Monkey Trench, in Bremerton on July 1, 2008. Herrera avidly endorses Ernie Ball/Musicman Stingray basses and strings and has used them on every Mxpx recording. For amplification he uses an Hartke LH1000 head and a Hartke 8x10 cabinet. Herrera is also endorsed by Takamine Acoustic Guitars, Sparrow Guitars, Mesa Boogie Amps, Samson Tech and Latin Percussion.
Herrera is also part of the MXPX All Stars with Kris Roe of The Ataris on guitar and Chris Wilson of The Summer Obsession on drums.
Herrera also appeared in the video for A Day to Remember
's single "All I Want," alongside musicians such as Andrew W.K.
, Pierce the Veil
, Trivium
, and Pete Wentz and many more.
Herrera is a Christian
, along with the other members of Mxpx, although they prefer to not be called a Christian band. On the topic of their faith Mike Herrera has been quoted saying "We are Christian. It’s not a cult or something. It’s part of our story and I guess it’s different and controversial. But it’s a personal thing. It’s what we choose to believe. That’s all there is to it. We don’t preach to anyone."
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
, as well as being the front-man of his new band Tumbledown
Tumbledown (band)
Mike Herrera's Tumbledown is an alternative country band from Bremerton, Washington consisting of MxPx guitarist/vocalist Mike Herrera and Rocky Point All Stars...
.
Early life
Herrera was born in Bremerton, WashingtonBremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
to Art and Michele Herrera and is of Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
descent. He is the middle of three children and has an older sister and a younger sister. His parents still live in Bremerton in the house he grew up in. Herrera started MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
while he was in high school with friends Andy Husted
Andy Husted
Andy Husted is the former guitarist for the Washington state pop punk band MxPx.Andy played guitar for MxPx starting with the release of their first album Pokinatcha. After he refused to go on a Tooth & Nail tour in 1994, the other members decided it would be best to find another guitarist...
and Yuri Ruley
Yuri Ruley
Yuri Zane Ruley is an American drummer who plays in the pop punk band MxPx. In 1992, while still in high school, Ruley started MxPx with Mike Herrera and Andy Husted; Husted was replaced by Tom Wisniewski two years later...
with the band's first performance in his back yard.
MxPx
Herrera was the primary songwriterSongwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and vocalist as well as playing the bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
in the pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
.Herrera started the band with Andy Husted
Andy Husted
Andy Husted is the former guitarist for the Washington state pop punk band MxPx.Andy played guitar for MxPx starting with the release of their first album Pokinatcha. After he refused to go on a Tooth & Nail tour in 1994, the other members decided it would be best to find another guitarist...
and Yuri Ruley
Yuri Ruley
Yuri Zane Ruley is an American drummer who plays in the pop punk band MxPx. In 1992, while still in high school, Ruley started MxPx with Mike Herrera and Andy Husted; Husted was replaced by Tom Wisniewski two years later...
in the summer of 1992, just before starting high school. In time it became clear that Andy was unable or unwilling to go on tours. Andy left the band and was replaced by Tom Wisniewski who (at the time) had little experience playing guitar and was more proficient on the drums.
Tumbledown
Herrera recently created the band Mike Herrera's Tumbledown with guitarist Jack Parker, bassist Marshall Trotland, and drummer Harley Trotland. The band draws influences from being on tour as well as from "great American songwriters" such as Hank Williams, Willie NelsonWillie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
and Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
. The sound of Herrera's new project differs greatly from MxPx taking a lighter, more country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
inspired sound. He says “It's all about the songs. What it sounds like depends on who you are,” and “I don't claim that we're a country band... we're just a band...I just like the fact that it's a different sound,” Herrera says. “Different than a country band, different than a punk rock band, different than a rockabilly band -- we're somewhere there in the ether, somewhere in between it all.”
Other music
He has produced albums such as "At Any Rate" by Too Bad Eugene and "Future Plans Undecided" by Element (101). He sang backing vocals on some of the songs as well as on others such as "Radio #2" from The Ataris album "So Long, Astoria" and "Runaway" by Amber PacificAmber Pacific
Amber Pacific is an American band that formed in 2002 in Federal Way, Washington. The band has released three full length albums thus far, The Possibility and the Promise in 2005, Truth in Sincerity in 2007, and Virtues in 2010....
, on their album Truth in Sincerity
Truth in Sincerity
Truth in Sincerity is the second full-length album by the pop punk band Amber Pacific and was one of the most anticipated pop punk albums of 2007. It was released on May 22, 2007. The first singles from the album were "Fall Back Into My Life" and "You're Only Young Once." Will Nutter has stated...
..
He has been in several side projects. They are:Tumbledown
Tumbledown (band)
Mike Herrera's Tumbledown is an alternative country band from Bremerton, Washington consisting of MxPx guitarist/vocalist Mike Herrera and Rocky Point All Stars...
, Arthur
Arthur (band)
Arthur is a side project of MxPx featuring all three members of MxPx and their former tech assistant Neil Hundt, who now techs for Good Charlotte. They released an EP called Loneliness Is Bliss in 1999...
(MxPx plus their former bass tech Neil), The Cootees
The Cootees
The Cootees were an American pop punk band. MxPx members Mike Herrera and Tom Wisniewski joined with Dale Yob and a mutual friend, Jiles O'Neal. They only created one album, entitled Let's Play House, which was released in 1997...
(Mike Herrera, Jiles Brandon, Tom Wisniewski, and Dale Yob).
Herrera opened his own music production studio, Monkey Trench, in Bremerton on July 1, 2008. Herrera avidly endorses Ernie Ball/Musicman Stingray basses and strings and has used them on every Mxpx recording. For amplification he uses an Hartke LH1000 head and a Hartke 8x10 cabinet. Herrera is also endorsed by Takamine Acoustic Guitars, Sparrow Guitars, Mesa Boogie Amps, Samson Tech and Latin Percussion.
Herrera is also part of the MXPX All Stars with Kris Roe of The Ataris on guitar and Chris Wilson of The Summer Obsession on drums.
Herrera also appeared in the video for A Day to Remember
A Day to Remember
A Day to Remember is an American rock band from Ocala, Florida. Founded in 2003 by guitarist Tom Denny and drummer Bobby Scruggs, the band has released four studio albums, nine singles and eight music videos...
's single "All I Want," alongside musicians such as Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K. is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, entertainer, and motivational speaker. He is the host of the television series Destroy Build Destroy.-Early life & career:Andrew Wilkes-Krier was born in Stanford, California, and grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan...
, Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil is an American post-hardcore band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2006, the group was founded by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes after the disbandment of the group Early Times which was formed out of the San Diego punk rock scene...
, Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, and Pete Wentz and many more.
Personal life
Herrera married his wife Holli in 2001. The two currently reside in Bremerton, Washington, with their cat and two dogs. Herrera not only plays bass but guitar and piano as well.Herrera is a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, along with the other members of Mxpx, although they prefer to not be called a Christian band. On the topic of their faith Mike Herrera has been quoted saying "We are Christian. It’s not a cult or something. It’s part of our story and I guess it’s different and controversial. But it’s a personal thing. It’s what we choose to believe. That’s all there is to it. We don’t preach to anyone."
Studio albums
- MxPx — PokinatchaPokinatchaPokinatcha is the debut album of the American pop punk band MxPx, released in 1994 . It is the only album to feature original guitarist Andy Husted. The album is popular with fans because of its quick, catchy rhythms and raw punk sound....
(1994), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — Teenage PoliticsTeenage Politics-Notes/Trivia:* Track 10, "Like Sand Thru the Hourglass...So Are the Days of Our Lives", is named after the quote from the opening sequence of Days of our Lives...
(1995), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — Life In General (1996), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album.
- The Cootees — Let's Play HouseLet's Play HouseLet's Play House is the only album released by pop punk band The Cootees. The song "I'm Ok, You're Ok" was later "covered" by MxPx, it is on their album Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo...
(1997), lead vocals on 7 songs, background vocals and guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — Slowly Going The Way Of The BuffaloSlowly Going the Way of the BuffaloSlowly Going the Way of the Buffalo is the fourth studio album released by the American Skate punk/punk rock band MxPx in 1998. The album title was taken from a letter that a fan had written to the band, complaining that the band was changing, and, "Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo." The band...
(1998), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — The Ever Passing MomentThe Ever Passing MomentThe Ever Passing Moment is the fifth full-length album by MxPx, released on May 16, 2000.MxPx gained critical recognition for this album and landed a slot supporting for The Offspring and Cypress Hill on the Conspiracy of One tour. "Responsibility" proved to be a minor radio hit, peaking at #24 on...
(2000), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — Before Everything & AfterBefore Everything & After- Trivia :* "Play It Loud" was featured on the SSX3 soundtrack and the Hilary Duff movie Raise Your Voice.* The album cover is a possible tribute to the cover of the Rolling Stones album Sticky Fingers, which does not show hands...
(2003), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — PanicPanic (MxPx album)Panic is the seventh full-length album by Christian band MxPx It was released on June 6, 2005- internationally and a day later in the United States. This was a breakthrough album when the single "Heard That Sound" proved a minor radio hit...
(2005), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and electric keyboard on select songs. - MxPx — Secret WeaponSecret Weapon (album)Secret Weapon is MxPx's eighth full-length studio album, which was released on July 17, 2007. It is the band's first release on their original label Tooth & Nail Records since 1996's Life in General...
(2007), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — On The Cover IIOn the Cover IIOn the Cover II is an album of song covers by pop punk band MxPx, like On the Cover. The album features covers of various 80s songs. Beginning on February 9, 2009, feature artists were announced, one per day, on Alternative Press' website....
(2009), vocals and bass on the entire album. - Tumbledown — TumbledownTumbledown (album)Tumbledown is the first full-length record produced by Mike Herrera's Tumbledown, produced by Mike Herrera and mixed by Stephen Egerton and released by End Sounds.- Track listing :# Let's Drink - 2:29# Butcher of San Antone - 2:53...
(2009), vocals and acoustic and electric guitar on the entire album. - Tumbledown — Empty Bottle (2010), vocals and acoustic and electric guitar on the entire album.
EPs
- MxPx — On The CoverOn the CoverOn the Cover is an EP of song covers by the American pop punk band MxPx, released on November 28, 1995 . Two different editions were released: a CD with 8 tracks, and a double 10" vinyl record with 12 tracks...
(1995), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. Guitar on 3 songs on the album. - MxPx — Move to Bremerton (1996), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album.
- Arthur — Loneliness Is BlissLoneliness is BlissLoneliness Is Bliss is an EP by Arthur, a side project of MxPx. It was released on November 30, 1999 on Rock City Recording Company, a label owned and operated by MxPx.-Track listing:All songs written by Mike Herrera and arranged by Arthur.# "Thought a Lot"...
(1999), vocals and electric guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — The Renaissance EPThe Renaissance EPThe Renaissance EP is an EP by the band MxPx released in 2001.-Track listing:# "Lonesome Town"# "Letting Go"# "Party II "# "Time Will Tell"# "The Opposite"# "Don't Look Back"# "Talk Of The Town"# "The Struggle"...
(2001), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. Electric keyboard and piano on select songs. - Tumbledown — Atlantic City EPAtlantic City EPAtlantic City EP is a record by Mike Herrera's Tumbledown, released in a download format only in 2008. Tracks 2-4 had been previously released as the 3 Songs EP...
(2007), vocals and electric guitar.
Compilations
- MxPx — Let It HappenLet It HappenLet It Happen is a B-sides album released in 1998 by the pop punk band MxPx. It consists of material recorded prior to the band signing to A&M Records. The demo version of "Chick Magnet" contains a sample from the Kevin Smith film Mallrats....
(1998), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - MxPx — Ten Years & Running (2002), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album.
- Various Artists — "JoshuaFest 2005" (2005), vocals and guitar with Jordan Tyler on "On My Own" (the song was also featured in MTV's The Real World: Austin).
- MxPx — Let's RockLet's Rock (album)Let's Rock is an MxPx compilation album of B-sides and unreleased material.-Track listing:# "You Walk, I Run" # "Every Light"...
(2006), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album, acoustic guitar on a few songs.
Live albums
- MxPx — At The ShowAt the Show- Credits :Band* Mike Herrera - Bass, Vocals* Tom Wisniewski - Lead Guitar* Yuri Ruley - Drums...
(1999), vocals and bass guitar on the entire album. - Tumbledown — Live In Tulsa (2010) vocals and acoustic guitar on the entire album. Upright Bass on 2 songs.
As producer
- The Water Tower Bucket BoysThe Water Tower Bucket BoysThe Water Tower Bucket Boys are a bluegrass and old-time band from Portland, Oregon. They formed in 2005 and have self released four albums. Their most recent album Sole Kitchen was produced and recorded by Mike Herrera of Tumbledown and MxPx and features all original songs, including Blackbird...
— Sole Kitchen (2010), Producer and engineer, vocals on Blackbird Pickin' At A Squirrel.