w/ Legionnaire Clothing
Give us a background how on Legionnaire got started, why you partnered with Mike and what the early years were like?
Joe Moxley: Mike and I started talking about starting a clothing line early 2007. At the time I had a clothing store and a clothing line and Mike was touring with MxPx. I knew by using Mike’s ideas and our designs together we could really come up with something that not only we would wear but also our friends and family would be into. Mike came up with the name Legionnaire, we both started working on new designs and Legionnaire was born. In the early years, well these still kind of are the early years, but when we first started we had such a great response. I believe it was due to all the devoted MxPx and Herrera fans. I’m thankful to say we still have all those great MxPx fans and now Tumbledown fans and we have also introduced Legionnaire to many more. Having Mike as a business partner really helped out a lot because he is definitely a perfectionist! When it came to designing he pushed us as a company to keep putting out better designs and taking the brand to the next level.
What are some current goals of Legionnaire?
JM: To keep growing and improving. We really want to get the name out there more.We will be attending more concerts and focusing on getting Legionnaire into more stores. Just getting out there and meeting new people and seeing what they think of Legionnaire and what we can do to better ourselves.
What kind of support have you seen from musicians aside from Mike and the guys?
JM: Musicians have been so great to us. It’s nice to see a band rep your clothing line because they truly like the designs and what we stand for. I won’t say what band on Taste of Chaos came up to us and told us they had a paying clothes sponsor but would much rather sport Legionnaire. Sure enough the rest of the tour that’s just what they did. We are so thankful for bands like Kutless, Say Anything, Amber Pacific, SATORI, TallBoy and so many more. They not only wear Legionnaire, but also help spread the word about us. They are true friends and it’s easy to say we would not be as far as a brand if it were not for them.
What would you say sets Legionnaire apart from all the other indie clothing companies out there?
JM: That we will not cut corners as a company and that we remain a DIY company. From designs to printing we do all of it. We take pride in the product that we put out and want our friends, family and customers to take pride in wearing Legionnaire.
How does the design process work? Do you two do all of them yourselves?
JM: We have had a few friends come up with some designs for Legionnaire but other than those few it’s Mike and I coming up with them. I must say we also get a lot of help from Jason at Guru Screen Printing. Guru and Legionnaire share the same warehouse so we’re always pushing each other and lending a helping hand when needed.
What inspires you guys while you design? Where do your ideas come from?
JM: We think of shirts that suck and try to come up with something opposite (laughs). Our designs come from everywhere, music, tattoos, art etc or we spend a lot of time just coming up with something fun or a play on word. For everyone one design we come up with we toss about ten away. Many times it looks better in my mind then it does on a shirt which is just yet another advantage of owning your own print shop. If it does not look right we start over. We make sure the products we put out we would also wear ourselves.
Thank you so much for your time and helping us spread the Legionnaire Love!
ho doesn’t remember wanting to dye their hair blue, grab your skateboard and head to a punk rock show? Okay, so not everybody had these punk-like urges but I guarantee that, just like me, you all grew up on MxPx in some way or another. A few months back I sat down to finally scribble out my first (and hopefully not last) interview with well known front man Mike Herrera. The questions came from my fingers furiously and little did I know, that Mike would answer back just as quickly and succinctly. So here now is a minute with Mike Herrera.
MxPx has been going for about 17 years now, turning out album after album pretty consistently despite label changes. Was there ever a time in your near 20 year career that MxPx seriously thought about hanging it up?
Mike Herrera: Yeah, we have and still think about it from time to time.
I’m sure a lot of people still ask you this, but does your faith still play a part in your music making?
MH: It does, but it’s evolved since we were kids.. yes.. evolution (laughs).
Obviously a lot has changed in all your lives since the band first started. What’s it like having wives at home and touring as much as you all do?
MH: Well, we just don’t tour as much. I guess I do since I have another band called Tumbledown. Between that, MxPx and my solo shows I’m pretty busy.
Considering you’ve been doing this since high school, would you say you have a somewhat normal life?
MH: I think it’s not normal compared to some one in town with a 9 to 5 job, but there are many people who travel and entertain in the world. We’re one of many in that regard. It’s normal to me.
Can you tell us a little bit about growing up as a songwriter over the last decade plus?
MH: I get to document the good and bad times not only in my own life, but the lives’ of others and of our society. It’s pretty amazing to think about how our world has changed since I started writing music.
Can you look back at albums like Pokinatcha or Teenage Politics and still get into it? Or are they a bit like embarrassing old photos at this point?
MH: Yes, it’s much like an old photograph that sings to you out of key. That was all pre-computer!
Are there some songs that get requested often that you’re just done with?
MH: Only a few. Not too many.
Tell us a bit about Monkey Trench?
MH: That’s my recording studio in Bremerton, WA. It’s been around for about a year and a half. I produce and record other bands as well as my own.
You have been touring with Tumbledown quite a bit. Is TD something that you can see yourself doing long term?
MH: Yes. We are starting to play more and get out across the earth more often.
Country isn’t exactly something you’d expect to come from a punk rocker. Where did your interest start and who are some of your influences?
MH: I started writing Hank Williams-esque songs around 1999, 10 years ago. I quickly grew out of that and into my own writing style. I just love the genre, it’s really a hybrid of punk and American roots.
I remember you telling me awhile back that Tumbledown is country that is more about drinking and gambling, just good old fun country. Do you see any sort of backlash from this from your more conservative fans?
MH: No, not yet. If I did that would mean that TD was getting a lot of exposure. Those types of people don’t really like MxPx much either.
Tell us a bit about Legionnaire Clothing?
MH: My buddy Joe Moxley and I started a clothing label. He does most of the real work. I do promotion when I can. The designs are really great. Check out www.legionnaireArmy.com
Do you feel like punk has begun to fall by the wayside? Where do you see it heading?
MH: Like all things it’s up and down but we don’t care. I love punk rock.
Who are some up and comers that you have been impressed with lately?
MH: Andrew Anderson. Great songs and great performances. He lives in Austin,TX
What is next for MxPx?
MH: We have a Christmas Album coming this holiday season called Punk Rawk Christmas and also the Left Coast Punk EP dropping this year as well. For more info follow us, @mxpx and me @tumbledown.
