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.
…And the Battle Begun
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it ludicrous that I've got nothing to believe in that
Was built by human hands or controlled by demand?
So if love is true, let's burn the factory,
Take off your shoes it's time for dancin'
I never leave the house without a pocket of pills,
Operator, operator I've got no solitude
I think I'm losing it and I can't keep up
Operator, operator it's nothing personal
But i'm choking tears, I'm thinking bout giving in
It's no better than before, it's just never mentioned
We keep running this race that can't be won,
I keep coming up empty
Doctor doctor you know they try to sell my trust
And they call me crazy
Box to box you know it never stops,
We're playing boomerang highways
In an endless search for meaning
I pray for something real
One kiss for all the world, a taste for all that's precious
Take it away release all your tension
All their paper never feels like my lovers kiss
Or the warmth of her touch while we dream
So if I'm insane so be it, I'll trade in everything
One kiss for all the world, one more for all that's precious
Are we going nowhere?
We need disaster to love until we're blinded
Indeed we are caught, what if we get free?
Take it away and it's all your strife
Take it away release all your tension
The opening lyrics of "…And the Battle Begun" by RX Bandits explore the idea of true love and its worth in comparison to the artificial constructs of modern society. The singer poses the question of whether he is crazy for wanting to touch someone's skin, highlighting a desire for genuine human connection in a world that is often driven by materialism and profit. He suggests that love is a force powerful enough to destroy the manufactured aspects of society and bring people closer together, urging his lover to take off her shoes and dance with him.
The middle section of the song takes a darker turn, with the singer expressing a sense of isolation and desperation despite the abundance of pills and constant communication provided by technology. He feels constantly under attack, unable to keep up with the demands of society and grappling with the idea that he is losing his grip on reality. The repeated plea to an operator for help adds to the sense of disconnectedness and the difficulties of finding genuine connection in a world that seems to keep moving faster and faster.
The final section of the song returns to the theme of love and its power to overcome the artificial demands of society. The singer emphasizes the importance of genuine human touch and connection, concluding that he would trade everything for a single kiss that represents all that is precious in the world. The repeated refrain to "take it away" suggests a desire to strip away the superficial aspects of society and focus on what is truly meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I crazy because I want to touch your skin?
Is it irrational that I desire physical intimacy with you?
Is it ludicrous that I've got nothing to believe in that Was built by human hands or controlled by demand?
Is it unreasonable that I don't have faith in anything created by humans or regulated by society?
So if love is true, let's burn the factory
If true love exists, let's reject the artificiality of modern life.
Take off your shoes it's time for dancin'
Let's embrace the freedom of being barefoot and dance carelessly.
I never leave the house without a pocket of pills
I always carry medication with me when I go out.
Operator, operator I've got no solitude
I can't find any peace or privacy, no matter where I go.
From the digging hands (no way)
I'm not going to succumb to the manipulation of others.
I think I'm losing it and I can't keep up
I feel like I'm falling apart and can't keep pace with what's expected of me.
Operator, operator, it's nothing personal
Don't take my frustration or desperation for anything directed at you personally.
But I'm choking tears, I'm thinking bout giving in
I'm overwhelmed with emotion, and I'm considering giving up or letting go.
It's no better than before, it's just never mentioned
Things haven't improved, but we ignore or repress that fact.
We keep running this race that can't be won
We're constantly pursuing unattainable goals.
I keep coming up empty
I keep failing and feeling unfulfilled.
Doctor doctor you know they try to sell my trust
The people in power try to convince me to trust them, but I'm skeptical.
And they call me crazy
They dismiss me as insane or irrational.
Box to box you know it never stops
We're trapped in a cycle of repetitive and meaningless behavior.
We're playing boomerang highways
We keep going back and forth without making any real progress.
In an endless search for meaning
We're constantly seeking purpose and significance.
I pray for something real
I hope for something authentic and true.
One kiss for all the world, a taste for all that's precious
A single moment of intimacy and tenderness can encompass all that is meaningful and valuable in life.
Take it away release all your tension
Let go of everything that's holding you back and find release.
All their paper never feels like my lover's kiss
The cold, impersonal world of bureaucracy and paperwork pales in comparison to the warmth and affection of true love.
Or the warmth of her touch while we dream
The tenderness of physical touch is most palpable and memorable when we're at our most vulnerable.
So if I'm insane, so be it, I'll trade in everything
If being unconventional or rejecting societal norms makes me seem crazy, I'm willing to give up everything to stay true to myself.
Are we going nowhere?
Are we stagnating and not making any real progress?
We need disaster to love until we're blinded
Sometimes it takes a cataclysmic event to force us to connect and feel true love.
Indeed we are caught, what if we get free?
We're entangled in countless societal and internal constraints, but what if we're able to break free?
Take it away and it's all your strife
Remove everything that's weighing you down or causing you difficulty, and you'll find peace.
Contributed by Allison M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joel Fisk
I've been listening to this band for 20 years, and I've seen them live countless times. The impact is never lost upon me, and I'm so fucking thankful for them.
Scott Summers
For those unaware...they recorded this album start to finish one take. It's basically a live album in a "studio" (singers mom's garage converted in to recording spaxe.)
David Reyes
Yeah I love these guys. This is my favorite album by them, they really hit the perfect mix of horns and rock on this one. Also, I've always loved how 1980 One Million Miles An Hour, Fast Asleep blends together.
Tony Gahbahgool
@12 HC some of it is live recorded over several takes. Op is mistaken.
12 HC
Why do you have to make me love this album so much more!
Tony Gahbahgool
@Scott Summers live recorded ≠ one take
Scott Summers
@Mark P I had to correct myself. I believe rythm is straight one take.
gatsu37
Saw them in 2006 for the second time (First time in 2003 for The Resignation *amazing*) so my first experience of this album was live, not 10 feet away from an amp. I consider myself so very lucky to have found this band and to have seen them play four times.
Bri Beno
True Masters of a era. Undeniable.
Josh Pindjak
23:20 Goosebumps every time this track ends