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.
My Lonesome Only Friend
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in the dark of a dream
with the focus of a fool
man, you can tell me anything
there's a reason for deceit
and the chaos that I covet
try to find my self
no I can't just let you run
I never knew such sorrow as the setting sun
now I take my last breath
of my lonesome only friend
oh give me what I please
the desire to be free
just to stop all the pain and the shivering
no I can't seem to let it go
the truth it leaks like a lie
I know you tried to save me baby
but you ran out of time
no, I can't see myself astray
I feel the emptiness at the first light of day
and now I take my last breath
oh my lonesome only friend
I try to run but I can only crawl
every time I stand I slip and surely fall
oh now I take my last breath
of my lonesome only friend
The song "My Lonesome Only Friend" by RX Bandits is a reflection of a person who is lost and lonely. The lyrics describe a person who is in the middle of a moment, in the dark of a dream, and is willing to listen to anything someone says. The person is aware of the reason for deceit, and although they covet chaos, they are trying to find themselves before they start to loathe it.
The person is conscious of the fact that they cannot just let someone run away and they have never known such sorrow as the setting sun. They take their last breath of their only friend who is their loneliness. The song then talks about the desire to be free and stop all the pain and shivering. However, the person cannot seem to let it go, and the truth leaks like a lie. The person is aware that someone tried to save them, but they have run out of time.
The song finishes with the person saying that they cannot see themselves astray, and they feel the emptiness at the first light of the day. Every time they try to run, they can only crawl, and every time they stand, they slip and fall. They take their last breath of their only friend who is their loneliness. Overall, the song portrays a sense of loss, loneliness, trapped by one's own choices, and being aware of the truth but choosing not to act upon it.
Line by Line Meaning
in the middle of a moment
Right now, in the midst of something important
in the dark of a dream
Lost in a confusing or surreal situation
with the focus of a fool
Not paying attention in a way that is foolish or unwise
man, you can tell me anything
I am open and willing to listen to whatever you have to say
there's a reason for deceit
Deception happens for a reason, even if it's not always clear or justified
and the chaos that I covet
I am drawn to chaos and disorder, even if it's not the best thing for me
try to find my self
I am struggling to figure out who I really am
before I start to loathe it
I want to figure out who I am before I hate myself for not knowing
no I can't just let you run
I can't let someone important to me leave without a fight
I never knew such sorrow as the setting sun
I have never felt such intense sadness before
now I take my last breath
I am coming to the end of something important
of my lonesome only friend
I am leaving behind something or someone that has been my only companion
oh give me what I please
I want something desperately and am asking for it
the desire to be free
I long to be released from something that is weighing me down
just to stop all the pain and the shivering
I hope that being free will stop the physical and emotional pain I am experiencing
no I can't seem to let it go
I can't get rid of something that is causing me grief
the truth it leaks like a lie
Even though something is true, it can feel like a falsehood because it's hard to accept
I know you tried to save me baby
Someone has attempted to help me but may not have been successful
but you ran out of time
The opportunity to help has passed and it's too late now
no, I can't see myself astray
I can't imagine myself getting lost or going down the wrong path
I feel the emptiness at the first light of day
I feel unfulfilled or lonely as soon as I wake up in the morning
oh my lonesome only friend
I am leaving behind something or someone that has been my only companion
I try to run but I can only crawl
I try to escape or move forward, but I am limited and can't move very quickly
every time I stand I slip and surely fall
Every time I try to improve my situation, I end up failing and making things worse
oh now I take my last breath
I am coming to the end of something important
of my lonesome only friend
I am leaving behind something or someone that has been my only companion
Contributed by Tristan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.