MXPX, Five Iron Frenzy

If there's one thing that can be said about Bremerton stalwarts MxPx, it's that the perils of being career musicians will never outweigh the joy they've found in truly doing what they love, because no matter how many pitfalls are thrown in their path, "There is a song in there somewhere," says lead vocalist/bassist Mike Herrera. Plans Within Plans, the trio's ninth studio record, was released in 2012.

MxPx had not released a full-length album in five years (2007's Secret Weapon), and through those times, the band had endured their fair share of tribulations. Whether it was identity theft, credit card fraud, outrunning muggers in foreign countries, constant van breakdowns, accumulating debt in an attempt to fund tours — the list could go on.

The result of these struggles is Plans Within Plans, a two-decade career coming to grips not only with aging as a band, but also the harsh reality that they are still on a steep upward climb toward their collective goals. Always sharing an endearing commonality with their diehard fans, the album has its throwback moments while still managing to employ a few surprises.


Five Iron Frenzy first formed in 1995 with vocalist/lyricist Reese Roper, former

bassist Keith Hoerig, guitarist Micah Ortega, and lead songwriter Scott Kerr.

They soon added Dennis Culp on trombone, Andrew Verdecchio on drums,

Leanor Ortega-Till on saxophone, Nathanael Dunham on trumpet, and Sonnie

Johnson on guitar. They gained national exposure with the songs, "Oh, Canada"

(Our Newest Album Ever!, 1997) and "Where the Zero Meets the Fifteen"

(Upbeats and Downbeats, 1996). Up until they disbanded in 2003, the band

entertained audiences with spirited, interactive shows, sometimes in full costume.

They announced their reunion in 2011 with the release of their free single, "It

Was a Dark and Stormy Night."

Five Iron Frenzy has made a triumphant, fan-funded return to recording with their

10th album, Engine of a Million Plots.

In 2011, it took Five Iron just shy of an hour to raise $30,000 from fans new and

old. But eager listeners didn't stop there: The band made Kickstarter history by

earning $207,000–almost seven times their initial goal. That singular show of

support launched Engine of a Million Plots, their first album in a decade.

With their new album, Five Iron pushes their characteristic sound into new

territory. Eschewing nostalgia, the members bring a fresh and evolved

perspective to their songwriting. Enjoying complete freedom in the studio, Five

Iron was able to exploit their full range of talents without the restraints and

pressures of a label. As a result, Engine displays a creativity and confidence of

sound that will delight long-time followers and newcomers alike. In it the band

explores darker themes, both lyrically and musically, without sacrificing their

sense of humor.

Fans' enthusiastic response to Five Iron's return is a testament to the lasting

impact of their music and message. The self-described undead band is excited to

make waves in the digital age with genre-pushing new work. Engine of a Million

Plots is available now!