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.
One Million Miles an Hour Fast Asleep
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't speak a sentence, we got the words placed
Stars keeping falling far from space, we're a million miles an hour, fast asleep
How do you feel, how do you feel when you're alone?
It's time for action, they tried to take our love!
Stars keeping falling far from space, we're a million miles an hour, fast asleep
How do you feel, how do you feel when you're alone?
Got our bodies squeezed into digital molds, we can't breathe & we're moving too slow
God is solid between a video screen, a plastic wall & a broken material dream
It's time to memorize your numbers, a code to signify your face
Your thumb is pushing down on the plunger, pick up your feet so you can put em in place
There's an inside rumor of a beggar, who got all that he need in his hands,
He said he ain't no good with possession cause he can't keep track & he don't need a plan
They say the old woman got the wisdom, cause she couldn't read a clock anymore
She said the numbers don't represent the moments & she don't see what all that ticking's for
"they selling you time with repeat stimuli right in front of your eyes till you feel paralyzed
You're the only one who can define real"
Tell me right now how you really feel
The lyrics of the RX Bandits' song "One Million Miles an Hour Fast Asleep" speak to the alienation and disconnection we can feel in a world dominated by technology and consumer culture. The first lines suggest that we are so conditioned to follow authority that we don't even have to think for ourselves anymore. The image of stars falling from space emphasizes the feeling of chaos and disorientation, as if we are hurtling through space at breakneck speed without any sense of direction.
The chorus asks a central question: how do you feel when you're alone? This could refer to the way we feel when we are cut off from the constant stimulation of our devices and social media, or it could be a more general query about alienation and loneliness in a world that often feels devoid of meaning.
The second verse paints a bleak picture of the modern world, where our bodies are "squeezed into digital molds" and we are suffocating under the weight of consumer culture. The line "God is solid between a video screen, a plastic wall & a broken material dream" suggests that we have replaced transcendent values with shallow and materialistic aspirations.
The song ends with an exhortation to "define real" and to express our true feelings, rather than being blinded by the constant barrage of stimuli that bombards us every day.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah we all listen to everything the man says
We obediently follow the orders and advice given by people in power and authority.
Can't speak a sentence, we got the words placed
Our speech and language is pre-determined and controlled by external forces.
Stars keeping falling far from space, we're a million miles an hour, fast asleep
We are oblivious to the cosmic events happening around us as we continue to live our lives in a fast-paced, stagnant routine.
How do you feel, how do you feel when you're alone?
What emotions do you experience when you are by yourself and disconnected from the distractions of the world?
It's time for action, they tried to take our love!
We need to take action against those who attempt to diminish or destroy our capacity for love and compassion.
Where is your passion, where do you get yours?
What ignites your passion and motivates you to live your life with purpose and drive?
Got our bodies squeezed into digital molds, we can't breathe & we're moving too slow
Technology and digital culture have confined and restrained us, hindering our ability to fully live and move freely.
God is solid between a video screen, a plastic wall & a broken material dream
The influence and presence of a higher power is blocked or overshadowed by our obsession with screens, consumerism, and materialism.
It's time to memorize your numbers, a code to signify your face
We are reduced to numbers and codes, losing our individuality and humanity in the process.
Your thumb is pushing down on the plunger, pick up your feet so you can put em in place
Our dependence on technology has turned us into passive consumers, relegating us to a mere appendage of machines rather than active participants in life.
There's an inside rumor of a beggar, who got all that he need in his hands
There are those who have found contentment and fulfillment within themselves, despite lacking material possessions and societal status.
He said he ain't no good with possession cause he can't keep track & he don't need a plan
The beggar recognizes the emptiness and burden of material possessions, and instead chooses to live without attachment and preconceived expectations.
They say the old woman got the wisdom, cause she couldn't read a clock anymore
The elderly woman has gained deep insight and wisdom through a lifetime of experiences, and no longer feels constrained or defined by the ticking clock.
She said the numbers don't represent the moments & she don't see what all that ticking's for
The woman realizes that the value and essence of life cannot be measured by numbers and time, and instead chooses to focus on the present moment.
"they selling you time with repeat stimuli right in front of your eyes till you feel paralyzed
The media and societal expectations bombard us with repetitive and numbing stimuli, leading us to feel trapped and powerless.
You're the only one who can define real"
We are responsible for defining our own reality and making choices that align with our own values and desires.
Tell me right now how you really feel
Encouragement to share and express our true emotions and thoughts, rather than conforming to societal expectations.
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mister Mr. ᛗ
This scratches music itches I didn’t knew I had and I need it to keep scratching 🔥🔥🔥
jay2thac2thac
One of my favourite rx songs.
Uncle Odin
Yeah we all listen to everything the man says
Can't speak a sentence, we got the words placed
Stars keeping falling far from space, we're a million miles an hour, fast asleep
How do you feel, how do you feel when you're alone?
It's time for action, they tried to take our love!
Where is your passion, where do you get yours?
Stars keeping falling far from space, we're a million miles an hour, fast asleep
How do you feel, how do you feel when you're alone?
Got our bodies squeezed into digital molds, we can't breathe & we're moving too slow
God is sold between a video screen, a plastic wall & a broken material dream
It's time to memorize your numbers, a code to signify your face
Your thumb is pushing down on the plunger, pick up your feet so you can put em in place
There's an inside rumor of a beggar, who got all that he need in his hands
He said he ain't no good with possession cause he can't keep track & he don't need a plan
They say the old woman got the wisdom, cause she couldn't read the clock anymore
She said the numbers don't represent the moments & she don't see what all that ticking's for
"they selling you time with repeat stimuli right in front of your eyes till you feel paralyzed
You're the only one who can define real"
Tell me right now how you really feel
RX Bandit
it doesn't get much better than this... though i may be biased.
Randy Dueck
Your lyrics from this song got referenced in a CounterPunch.org article - We're On Our Own Now by William Hawes.
Lynn Beltrandi
@Zfnartat I know, it pisses me off that all this crap that's played on the radio is mainstream, but this music isn't, and these guys get no appreciation.
Magalí Barrionuevo
OH SI