Mike Herrera's Tumbledown is an alternative country band from Bremerton, Washington consisting of MxPx guitarist/vocalist Mike Herrera and Rocky Point All Stars (Jack Parker, Marshall Trotland, and Harley Trotland).Gilmartin, Alexa (2009) "Tumbledown Mike Herrera's Tumbledown", The Aquarian Weekly, May 28, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2015Wilson, Kelly (2009) "MxPx Lead Singer Brings Country/Rockabilly Side Project to Yucca Tap Room", Phoenix New Times, March 20, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2015 The name "Tumbledown" comes from a line of a Woody Guthrie song.Smyers, Darryl (2010) "Q&A + Bonus MP3: Mike Herrera of Tumbledown (and MxPx) Talks Going Country, Covering His Own Songs and The Current Debate on Immigration.", Dallas Observer, November 5, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2015 They are currently signed to End Sounds, which is based in Austin, Texas. In Mexico, they are signed to Cafeina Riot Radio Records."Tumbledown", Cafeina Riot Radio Records, archived from the original
History Herrera had first explored country music while in MxPx in 2005, with the track "Late Again" from the Panic album, which featured Parker on guitar.Lake, Dave (2011) " MxPx's Mike Herrera: Still Punk ", Seattle Weekly, May 10, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2015 According to Herrera: "After that, I knew what I wanted to do with Tumbledown." In November 2007, Herrera formally announced the Tumbledown project. In January 2008, a music video was released for "Atlantic City", followed by one for "Ballad of a Factory Man" two months later.
The group released a self-titled debut album on May 19, 2009. The Aquarian Weekly gave it an 'A' rating, with reviewer Alexa Gilmartin calling it "a solid, enjoyable record...a taste of country for the non-believers". In August and September 2009, they went on a co-headlining US tour with Straylight Run frontman John Nolan. On September 2, 2009, a music video was released for "Butcher of San Antone", directed by Joe the Visualist.
In 2010 the band release the Live in Tulsa album, recorded the previous year."Mike Herrera's Tumbledown to release live album", punknews.org, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2015
In October 2010, the band's second studio album, Empty Bottle, was released on End Sounds.Allen, James "Empty Bottle Review", Allmusic. Retrieved November 29, 2015
The group performed on the Vans Warped Tour in 2014.Smith, Troy, L. (2014) "15 must-see acts on the 2014 Vans Warped Tour (photo gallery)", cleveland.com, July 14, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015
Influences and sound Herrera has pointed out that he has been writing country songs since 1998, and that this project has been long-awaited. He has cited Whiskeytown, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Bill Monroe among influences. He explained his move into country music: "I've always liked country. I think the first song I ever learned to sing was Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again." When I write punk songs, I do it on an acoustic guitar, so it was just a natural progression to write more folk type songs." The band's music has been described as "a twangy mashup of country, folk, and punk sounds featuring acoustic guitar and upright bass". The band has often covered MxPx songs at their shows.
Discography Extended plays 2007: 3 Songs 2008: Atlantic City EP 2008: Atlantic City 7-inch 2009: Tumbledown/Yesterday's Ring split 7-inch 2010: Arrested in El Paso Blues Picture Disc 7-inch
Full-length albums 2009: Tumbledown 2010: Live in Tulsa 2010: Empty Bottle
Singles 2007: "Ballad of a Factory Man" 2008: "Atlantic City" 2009: "The Butcher of San Antone" 2019: "Run Rudolph Run"
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