RX Bandits
Rx Bandits is a four-member band based in Seal Beach, California, United St… Read Full Bio ↴Rx Bandits is a four-member band based in Seal Beach, California, United States. Their musical style is an eclectic mix of progressive rock, punk, and reggae deemed groove tech by the band.
The band started out in 1995, amid other popular southern California ska-influenced acts such as Reel Big Fish and No Doubt. Of the original line-up, only singer/songwriter Matt Embree and drummer Chris Tsagakis remain. Their first two releases were recorded with bassist James Salomone and trombonist Rich Balling. Upon signing to Drive-Thru Records, the band released the album Halfway Between Here and There, a straightforward third-wave ska effort, though lyrics in songs such as "Gun In Your Hand" hinted towards the political leanings which would be evident in their subsequent releases.
They are notable for their strong political views, which they share with fans through periodic website posts.
Their live shows are known for being highly energetic, with improvisational jams in between songs. They perform extended versions of many numbers; they fall somewhat short of being a full fledged "jam band," however it is fair to say that they exhibit musicianship live that is not captured by their recordings.
With 2001's Progress, the band took a huge step forward musically. The incarnation of the band which recorded the album consisted of Embree, Tsagaskis, Balling, Salomone, and current trombonist Chris Sheets. Steve Choi played keyboards on the album, but was not credited as a full member of the band, although he often joined the band on stage. With this album, the band moved beyond playing pure ska. Progress involved elements of punk, reggae, and hardcore punk. Indeed, the band itself notes influences ranging from Fugazi and Bad Brains, to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Toots and the Maytals. The album spawned their only music video, for the song "Analog Boy".
Some time after the release of Progress, Steve Choi was made a full time member of the band, however both Rich Balling and James Salomone left the band. They gained saxophonist Steve Borth, who had played formerly in the popular East Bay ska-punk band Link 80. Bassist Joe Troy, a longtime friend of Embree, joined the band as well to complete their current line-up.
In 2003, they released The Resignation, a CD/DVD release. The album was recorded live, with the exception of vocals and some overdubs. Embree also shared songwriting duties with Steve Choi, whereas he had previously been responsible for all of the band's material. Also of note is the album cover, which was originally a painting by Aaron Nagel, a Bay Area artist and member of both Link 80 and DESA. Musically, the album continued the genre mixing of Progress and experimented with unconventional time signatures. It again featured overtly political lyrics, evident most obviously in songs such as "Overcome (The Recapitulation)," and "Mastering the List".
Since the release of The Resignation, several members have found time for side projects.
In July 2006 band member Steve Borth left the band to pursue his side project turned main focus, Satori. Embree is involved with his own independent label, MDB Records, as well as his own solo project Love You Moon also contributing to the hip hop group Seekret Socyetee, Coke vs. Bills with Joe Troy, Pebaluna with Lauren Coleman, and Apotheke with members of the Rx Bandits. Steve Choi plays drums in Machines and has collaborated with Asian Man Records founder Mike Park in both The Chinkees and The Bruce Lee Band. Embree and Tsagakis are two of the core members in The Sound Of Animals Fighting. Tsagaskis is the creative force behind his ambient, electronic project called Technology.
On October 10th, 2006 they released the follow-up to The Resignation entitled "...And The Battle Begun"
through Sargent House / MDB Records. ...ATBB continued to show the changes that the Bandits were making to their sound, adding more elements of progressive rock and funk grooves. Sprawling compositions and virtuoso playing from all the members of the band won the band many new fans, and gained a spot on the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
On July 14th, 2009, they released their latest album, Mandala. The band showed tremendous musical growth since their early 3rd wave ska roots, and Mandala was a true musical force to be reckoned with. Prodigious drumming from Chirs Tsagakis and solid bass grooves from Joe Troy formed the backbone, while Steve Choi and Matt Embree dueled with noodley guitars and emphatic vocals from Embree. The Bandits had reached a progressive peak, showing that progressive instrumentation could still have soul and feeling, and that a few songs could change a room's demeanor.
In 2011, the band announced that their summer tour would be their last tour. Despite this, on May 6th, 2013 they announced that they will be embarking on a 10-year anniversary tour for Resignation, and will also be releasing an EP this summer.
Rx Bandits toured the United States during the summer of 2013 to mark the tenth anniversary of the release of The Resignation. The band released an EP featuring covers of The Police, Blonde Redhead, Weezer, Fugazi, and King Crimson.
"Gemini, Her Majesty", the bands 7th studio album was released on July 22nd 2014 via (Mash Down Babylon/INgrooves). Produced by Jason Cupp (Maps & Atlases, Birthmark) and recorded at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Sonoma County, CA, Gemini, Her Majesty is the follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed release, Mandala.
"In the past, our aim was to bridge the gap between our recorded music and our live performance," says vocalist/guitarist Matt Embree. "But this time around we really didn't ever consider that. We almost willingly ignored it. It was really nice to make a record that we didn't apply live performance constraints to. That said, now we're going to have the hefty task of figuring out how we want to arrange and play these new songs live. We love the challenge."
Over the course of the past 19 years (yes, 2015 will be their 20-year anniversary), RX Bandits have managed to stay light years ahead of the pack by taking a genre-blurring approach to songwriting. Their adventurous style of play gives them a unique sense of flexibility, one that allows them to seamlessly fit anywhere and everywhere, from the main stage at Bonnaroo and Coachella to Bamboozle and Reading. Their songs have been featured in video games (Guitar Hero, Rock Band), used as the backdrop for ESPN's X Games and continues to be religion for their legion of diehard fans around the world.
In support of "Gemini, Her Majesty" RX took to the road in the summer of 2014 with support from The Dear Hunter and From Indian Lakes. RX Bandits are looking to a stacked 2015 Spring touring schedule with plans to attend the 311 Caribbean Cruise with 311, Pepper and The Dirty Heads, a West coast run in March and a East coast run in early April. The band is also looking forward to touring the UK with Circa Survive in May 2015.
The band started out in 1995, amid other popular southern California ska-influenced acts such as Reel Big Fish and No Doubt. Of the original line-up, only singer/songwriter Matt Embree and drummer Chris Tsagakis remain. Their first two releases were recorded with bassist James Salomone and trombonist Rich Balling. Upon signing to Drive-Thru Records, the band released the album Halfway Between Here and There, a straightforward third-wave ska effort, though lyrics in songs such as "Gun In Your Hand" hinted towards the political leanings which would be evident in their subsequent releases.
They are notable for their strong political views, which they share with fans through periodic website posts.
Their live shows are known for being highly energetic, with improvisational jams in between songs. They perform extended versions of many numbers; they fall somewhat short of being a full fledged "jam band," however it is fair to say that they exhibit musicianship live that is not captured by their recordings.
With 2001's Progress, the band took a huge step forward musically. The incarnation of the band which recorded the album consisted of Embree, Tsagaskis, Balling, Salomone, and current trombonist Chris Sheets. Steve Choi played keyboards on the album, but was not credited as a full member of the band, although he often joined the band on stage. With this album, the band moved beyond playing pure ska. Progress involved elements of punk, reggae, and hardcore punk. Indeed, the band itself notes influences ranging from Fugazi and Bad Brains, to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Toots and the Maytals. The album spawned their only music video, for the song "Analog Boy".
Some time after the release of Progress, Steve Choi was made a full time member of the band, however both Rich Balling and James Salomone left the band. They gained saxophonist Steve Borth, who had played formerly in the popular East Bay ska-punk band Link 80. Bassist Joe Troy, a longtime friend of Embree, joined the band as well to complete their current line-up.
In 2003, they released The Resignation, a CD/DVD release. The album was recorded live, with the exception of vocals and some overdubs. Embree also shared songwriting duties with Steve Choi, whereas he had previously been responsible for all of the band's material. Also of note is the album cover, which was originally a painting by Aaron Nagel, a Bay Area artist and member of both Link 80 and DESA. Musically, the album continued the genre mixing of Progress and experimented with unconventional time signatures. It again featured overtly political lyrics, evident most obviously in songs such as "Overcome (The Recapitulation)," and "Mastering the List".
Since the release of The Resignation, several members have found time for side projects.
In July 2006 band member Steve Borth left the band to pursue his side project turned main focus, Satori. Embree is involved with his own independent label, MDB Records, as well as his own solo project Love You Moon also contributing to the hip hop group Seekret Socyetee, Coke vs. Bills with Joe Troy, Pebaluna with Lauren Coleman, and Apotheke with members of the Rx Bandits. Steve Choi plays drums in Machines and has collaborated with Asian Man Records founder Mike Park in both The Chinkees and The Bruce Lee Band. Embree and Tsagakis are two of the core members in The Sound Of Animals Fighting. Tsagaskis is the creative force behind his ambient, electronic project called Technology.
On October 10th, 2006 they released the follow-up to The Resignation entitled "...And The Battle Begun"
through Sargent House / MDB Records. ...ATBB continued to show the changes that the Bandits were making to their sound, adding more elements of progressive rock and funk grooves. Sprawling compositions and virtuoso playing from all the members of the band won the band many new fans, and gained a spot on the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
On July 14th, 2009, they released their latest album, Mandala. The band showed tremendous musical growth since their early 3rd wave ska roots, and Mandala was a true musical force to be reckoned with. Prodigious drumming from Chirs Tsagakis and solid bass grooves from Joe Troy formed the backbone, while Steve Choi and Matt Embree dueled with noodley guitars and emphatic vocals from Embree. The Bandits had reached a progressive peak, showing that progressive instrumentation could still have soul and feeling, and that a few songs could change a room's demeanor.
In 2011, the band announced that their summer tour would be their last tour. Despite this, on May 6th, 2013 they announced that they will be embarking on a 10-year anniversary tour for Resignation, and will also be releasing an EP this summer.
Rx Bandits toured the United States during the summer of 2013 to mark the tenth anniversary of the release of The Resignation. The band released an EP featuring covers of The Police, Blonde Redhead, Weezer, Fugazi, and King Crimson.
"Gemini, Her Majesty", the bands 7th studio album was released on July 22nd 2014 via (Mash Down Babylon/INgrooves). Produced by Jason Cupp (Maps & Atlases, Birthmark) and recorded at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Sonoma County, CA, Gemini, Her Majesty is the follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed release, Mandala.
"In the past, our aim was to bridge the gap between our recorded music and our live performance," says vocalist/guitarist Matt Embree. "But this time around we really didn't ever consider that. We almost willingly ignored it. It was really nice to make a record that we didn't apply live performance constraints to. That said, now we're going to have the hefty task of figuring out how we want to arrange and play these new songs live. We love the challenge."
Over the course of the past 19 years (yes, 2015 will be their 20-year anniversary), RX Bandits have managed to stay light years ahead of the pack by taking a genre-blurring approach to songwriting. Their adventurous style of play gives them a unique sense of flexibility, one that allows them to seamlessly fit anywhere and everywhere, from the main stage at Bonnaroo and Coachella to Bamboozle and Reading. Their songs have been featured in video games (Guitar Hero, Rock Band), used as the backdrop for ESPN's X Games and continues to be religion for their legion of diehard fans around the world.
In support of "Gemini, Her Majesty" RX took to the road in the summer of 2014 with support from The Dear Hunter and From Indian Lakes. RX Bandits are looking to a stacked 2015 Spring touring schedule with plans to attend the 311 Caribbean Cruise with 311, Pepper and The Dirty Heads, a West coast run in March and a East coast run in early April. The band is also looking forward to touring the UK with Circa Survive in May 2015.
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RX Bandits Lyrics
... And the Battle Begun Am I crazy because I want to touch your skin? Is…
0:28 It's over I must have seen her face before I fell in…
1980 And it's your only day, do you got all the…
1995 Licked the powder from chalice rim Took a minute for…
?!? "I'm in a Band" by The Scholars"I Love Guys in…
A Mouth Full of Hollow Threats Hey you with all your secrets the story has just…
All Rwandas Glory What do you want to be Would you fight for your…
All the Time Friday night, everybody's getting happy. I think you lost yo…
Analog Boy She lays awake at night This ain't the way she wants…
And The Battle Begun Am I crazy because I want to touch your skin? Is…
Andrea Do you remember how you held her? Do you remember how…
Anyone But You i know i was wrong so please just take this offering,…
Apparition She says she's gonna come over tonight Look like a ghost…
Babylon It's time to listen up all good people and take…
Bábylon its time to listen up all good people and take…
Band Aid Said you're gonna get drunk tonight I could've told you tha…
Breakfast Cat she was a nightcap poem queen flighting furious fancily th…
Bring Our Children Home Or Everything Is Nothing Walked through the hall of reflection There, I bared my sou…
Bury It Down Low without our vision we never could get free imprisoned fore…
Consequential Apathy Now that you're gone I'm regretting every word I said On thi…
Cornered Standing in the rain, a broken window pane Rain drops fall…
Crushing Destroyer A new adventure to a place we can't find with our…
Decrescendo And I knew that you just couldn't wait To put your…
Dinna Dawg The midnight moon is feeling high She won't come down till…
Epoxi-Lips This is how the story goes, I've got something that I…
Falling Down The Mountain Would you believe What I said if I shoved it…
Fire To The Ocean Shadows fall down her face A lover without a name…
Future We leapt to take the risk Down a fallible abyss…
G2G Southpaw taylor sewing light Light you swallow so it shines…
Get No time to get what you wanted, It's time to get…
Gun In Your Hand Hey whatcha doin'? With that gun in your hand? Now who ya…
Hearts That Hanker For Mistake if you got the reason, the goal is to give…
Holy Wars Brother will kill brother Spilling blood across the land K…
Hope Is a Butterfly, No Net Its Captor… (Virus of Silence) Take a ride to find escape She killed her past For the…
I Don't Care 1, 2, 1, 2, ready, go pick it up, pick it…
I Will Live There is something about the way that I am feeling…
In All Rwanda What do you want to be Would you fight for your…
In All Rwanda's Glory What do you want to be Would you fight for your…
In Her Drawer A blue square to numb the pain white hexagons to accelerate…
Infection this is the first time that i've ever told the…
Innocence Innocence is so far away..... let's rock! when i said …
Innocense Innocence is so far away let's rockwhen i said that you…
Intro It's over I must have seen her face before I fell in…
It's Only Another Parsec... These words I write to you my dear Are sparks to…
It's Only Another Parsec… These words I write to you my dear Are sparks to…
Lost Friends with me today, Friends with me but not tomorrow. The…
March Of The Caterpillar if I said I care, would you say you believe…
Mastering The List Don't be afraid because there is no escape And it won't…
Maybe Go! maybe life would be so much better without these stupid…
Meow You could find a lover And mold her out of clay You…
Metal Man Don't make me try to listen To that ska-core crap Just bust…
Mientras La Veo Soñar ¡despierta, despierta! no hay mas tiempo hay nada más impo…
Milk Woke up this morning and got myself a glass of…
More Here we go you said you don't want to go out,…
My Lonesome Only Friend in the middle of a moment in the dark of a…
Never Slept So Soundly Couldn't see the moon When she came tonight Emptiness inside…
Newsstand Rock Now America's got a brand new war Can anybody tell me…
Nothing Sacred In our world's degradation we take for granted all we have A…
Now Or Never I can't wait forever, Maybe I can't wait all night. Last t…
Nugget I woke up this morning looked out my window Guess just…
On A Lonely Screen Well I got a reason my goals defined words in…
One Million Miles an Hour Fast Asleep Yeah we all listen to everything the man says Can't speak…
Only For The Night There's a girl stuck in the mirror And she stares into…
Overcome We've had enough We've had enough We've had enough of the po…
Pal-treaux What you want is what you find out Once you believe…
Penguin Marlin Brando The future won't be owned by those Married to ideals…
Progress Now you're thinking I'm so stupid, that's allright You don't…
Prophetic Our Eyes are bleeding Courtesy of everything That you could…
Republic You can never be what never was And to get by…
Ruby Cumulous Once my lover, now she's dressed up in gold. Silk and…
S.A.M 1, 2, 3 go! When i was a boy, about 9 I…
S.A.M. When I was a young boy, about nine I wondered what…
Saw Red [Originally by Sublime and Gwen Stefani] Every day I love…
Sell You Beautiful Look who's got a new nose Plastic lips and fake…
Stargazer Gemini, you were his majesty Daddy's little girl Sugar on…
Status Well, I don't care how she treats me anymore now 'Cause…
Tainted Wheat The first step's so called education next chapter is assimi…
Taking Chase as the Serpant Slithers yeah she moves so slowly like a lover's breath hoping i can…
Taking Chase As The Serpent Slithers Yeah she moves so slowly like a lovers breath Hoping I…
Teen Idol Megan you are mine, your my teenage idol All I ever…
Ten Seconds Never Seemed so Lo Kit says that she wants it, Hangin' onto me like a…
Ten Seconds... Kit says that she wants it, Hangin' onto me like a…
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll [Originally by Bob Dylan] William Zanzinger killed poor H…
This Time You don't know, how easy It is for me to sing…
To Our Unborn Daughters Written for you these words, the love of my life the…
Too Tone late at night and i'm walkin the street right behind…
Two Winters Ago Frostbite for love i left two winters ago i never wanted t…
Untitled Am I crazy because I want to touch your skin? Is…
Up To No Good Back against the wall All those hunger pains Starving neve…
Valentine's Day Sometimes I get that feeling now, I can feel you coming…
VCG 2000, another shattered vision: the human race. (Our self-d…
VCG3 2000, another shattered vision, the human race Our self-des…
VCG³ 2000, another shattered vision: the human race. (Our self-d…
Walk Away Everyday I search for something soulful I hope your doing t…
What If What if I told you That you're a lovely gal And I'd…
What's Wrong With Me Daddys gone now He's gone off to fight The new world war He'…
White Lies white lies... I ain't gonna sing the same old songs again …
Who Would've Thought ring, ring, ring here comes the morning waking every day to…
Who Would’ve Thought Ring, ring, ring here comes the morning Waking up everyday t…
Wide Open Tears how they burn in the pouring rain Its all…
Will You Be Tomorrow She'd been enchanted by the orator's burst Everything beaut…
Wrong With Me Daddys gone now He's gone off to fight The new world war He'…
You For Christmas I don't believe in satan I guess that means I'm heathen I…
…And the Battle Begun Am I crazy because I want to touch your skin? Is…