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.
On A Lonely Screen
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(every word is true)
Oh i got my lover with her legs up high, my fingertips on her light switch
If someone found the way to save us from ourselves
(oh dear you're only dreaming)
And you got a letter you got a number you got a dream you make your personal hell
(year yeah...)
we got the angels in a rubber cell with their hands tied up
If you can find a way to make the world yourself
(oh dear it's only dreaming)
There's a blue eyed pretty woman saying things that she don't mean
come on baby don't you listen lock your doors up tight tonight
cause there's a million people dying and there's bound to be more
learned its just from listening to a faithful faithful imitation
cause we breathe in everything
It's in our eyes and it's in our skin speaks a holy replication
with her checks all sunken in, bloody nose and a plastic grin
he needs a pill just to feel her insides, she needs a crutch just to wake her up
ghost-eyed man and the walking dead what does feeling really feel like?
digging up a body from a burial ground, wipe the bones off nice and clean
mother don't breast feed your children with a plastic mouse and a crystal screen
now theres more white people talking about a war that's make believe
doctor spins a word like freedom we pretend to know just what it means
In the first verse of RX Bandits’ song “On A Lonely Screen”, the singer describes their priorities and pleasures in life. They have clear goals and defined political beliefs, as well as a lover who provides physical pleasure. However, they acknowledge that their personal experiences and beliefs are limited in the grand scheme of things, as indicated by the line “If someone found the way to save us from ourselves”.
The second verse then shifts focus to the broader societal issues that the singer sees around them. They describe the societal pressures to conform to a certain dream or number and the obligation to be productive. They contrast this with the image of angels in a rubber cell with their hands tied up, suggesting that even those who are meant to be unbiased and objective are being constrained in some way. The line “If you can find a way to make the world yourself” suggests a desire for individual agency and a sense of control. The subsequent lines then paint a picture of society at its worst - a woman saying things she doesn’t mean, violence and death, addiction to pills and crutches, and a detachment from reality through technology.
Overall, “On A Lonely Screen” seems to be a commentary on the limitations and challenges of personal and societal freedom, and the ways in which people can lose touch with reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I got a reason my goals defined words in a line and my politics
I have a purpose for my life with clear objectives and political views.
(every word is true)
I am sincere and truthful in everything I say.
Oh i got my lover with her legs up high, my fingertips on her light switch
I am intimate with my partner and able to satisfy her needs.
If someone found the way to save us from ourselves
If there were a solution to overcome our own limitations.
(oh dear you're only dreaming)
It is just a wishful thinking.
And you got a letter you got a number you got a dream you make your personal hell
You have your own unique identity and choices that determine your struggles in life.
(year yeah...)
Agreement, affirmation or emphasis.
and we got obligation to production
We are responsible for generating output and being productive in our work.
we got the angels in a rubber cell with their hands tied up
We are constrained by our limitations and unable to fully utilize our abilities.
If you can find a way to make the world yourself
If you could take active steps to change the world according to your own vision.
(oh dear it's only dreaming)
It remains a mere fantasy or aspiration.
There's a blue eyed pretty woman saying things that she don't mean
There is a misleading and unreliable source of information.
come on baby don't you listen lock your doors up tight tonight
Don't be gullible or expose yourself to unnecessary risks.
cause there's a million people dying and there's bound to be more
The world is facing multiple crises with no end in sight.
learned its just from listening to a faithful faithful imitation
Our knowledge of the world is based on shallow observations and hearsay.
cause we breathe in everything
Everything in our environment affects and influences us.
It's in our eyes and it's in our skin speaks a holy replication
Our bodies and senses are a reflection of divine creation.
with her checks all sunken in, bloody nose and a plastic grin
A person's physical appearance can be deceptive and mask inner turmoil.
he needs a pill just to feel her insides, she needs a crutch just to wake her up
People rely on external or artificial means to manage their emotions and physical states.
ghost-eyed man and the walking dead what does feeling really feel like?
There are people who are emotionally numb or dead inside, making it harder to empathize with others.
digging up a body from a burial ground, wipe the bones off nice and clean
Disturbing the dead can have unintended consequences and risks.
mother don't breast feed your children with a plastic mouse and a crystal screen
Don't let technology replace natural human interactions and connections.
now theres more white people talking about a war that's make believe
There is a false perception and rhetoric surrounding a non-existent conflict.
doctor spins a word like freedom we pretend to know just what it means
Medical professionals and other institutions may mislead or deceive people with jargon or propaganda.
Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ishikaw4
The RX Bandits is a band that we will look back on fondly ten, twenty, thirty, etc years from now as a classic example of great music. The way our youngsters look back on Zeppelin and Rush. Progressive, ahead of its time, and so damn timeless.
Jeremy Rowe
i fear theyre already becoming forgotten. it's a shame
Rine
While the other songs on the album feel close to the heart and human, this one seems pretty "unorganic" and short, so it doesnt seem to develop at all ,at least the first part of the song, when we get to the other part (the ska-ish one), it seems more similar to the other stuff on the record.
This whole album is a banger, even this 2 and something minutes long song , this was actually my favorite song when I started listening to the album, pretty cool
SNTMLISTARESATGAMES
awesomeness