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.
Overcome
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've had enough
We've had enough of the politicians
We've had enough yeah
Of these politician's wars
All we need right now is love
We've had enough of these military scoreboards
What we need right now is love, come on
All we need right now is love
We've had enough of these military scoreboards
All we need right now is love
We've had enough of these politician's wars
All we need right now is love
We've had enough of these military scoreboards
All we need right now is love
Turn it up
The future is held in the hands
Who right the textbooks
Ignorance is bred when falsified thinking is taught
To the youth instead of
Past mistakes and mind elevation,
Like the graves that manifest destiny has created
So we can build our
Capitalist consumer based economy,
To build, market,
And sell commodities we don't need
But we are trained to believe like celebrity imaging
Well I'm here to take my feelings back and I hope
That you will be with me
I can't wait for that day
When I hear us all screaming.
Ahhhhhhhhh,
I can't wait for that day
When I hear us all singing together,
Ooooohhhhhh
I can't wait for that day
When I hear us all screaming.
Ahhhhhhhhh
I can't wait for that day
When I hear us all singing together,
Ahhh,
I can't wait for the day
When I hear us all screaming,
Here comes the revolution.
When every race color
And creed of militant human beings stand up
With fists together for substance and true meaning
Because right now we got our feet stuck in cement
We're too caught up in
A material status quo punishment
And one thing is for sure
And that's the sun will always set,
Darling you can bet our moon is quite the opposite
So baby take a axe to your makeup kit
Set ablaze the billboards and their advertisements
Love with all your hearts and never forget
How good it feels to be alive
And strive for your desire
Just cause you can't see
Your cage doesn't mean that you are free
When there are laws against nature
But its okay for you to be
Addicted to over the counter prescriptions
And magazines dictate all our human relations
I'm not buying, no I'm not giving in
To a culture that objectifies all of our women
I'm not buying, no I'm not consuming
The apathetic dribble on the news media's chin
I'm not buying, no I'm not giving in
The lies that are sold through textbooks to children
I'm not buying, no I'm not consuming
Cause the positive will
Always overcome the negative right
And we stay inside, its right outside,
We stand in line
We all enjoy the fences to keep it at bay
But I'm not giving in
The song "Overcome" by RX Bandits is a political anthem that calls for a revolution against the corrupt government and societal norms. The lyrics urge people to take action against the politicians and their wars, military scoreboards, and false textbooks that breed ignorance. The chorus repeats the phrase "All we need right now is love" emphasizing that love can overcome any negative situation or obstacle in life. The lyrics call for people to come together, stand up for substance and true meaning, and strive for their desires. The song encourages listeners to break free from the material status quo punishment, and set ablaze the billboards and advertisements that dictate our human relations. The song ends on a note of hope that the positive will always overcome the negative, and the need for a revolution to overthrow the corrupt and oppressive system.
Overall, the song Overcome is a powerful message of political and social activism. The lyrics are a call to action for people to stand up against societal norms and government corruption. The song urges people to take control of their lives and strive for their desires, despite the obstacles and challenges that they may face. The emphasis on love as the ultimate solution to all problems is an uplifting message that resonates with many.
Line by Line Meaning
We've had enough
We want change and are tired of the status quo.
We've had enough of the politicians
We are tired of the leaders who have not brought about positive change.
We've had enough of these politician's wars
We are tired of wars started by politicians.
All we need right now is love
We need more love and understanding to combat the hatred in the world.
We've had enough of these military scoreboards
We are tired of the glorification of wars and killing.
Turn it up
Get ready for a revolution.
The future is held in the hands
The future depends on the decisions we make now.
Who right the textbooks
The authors of history textbooks have great influence on shaping our understanding of the world.
Ignorance is bred when falsified thinking is taught
Teaching false ideas breeds ignorance and misunderstanding.
To the youth instead of past mistakes and mind elevation, like the graves that manifest destiny has created
We should be teaching the youth about how to learn from past mistakes and elevate their minds, rather than glorify violence and death.
Capitalist consumer-based economy to build, market, and sell commodities we don't need
Our economy is driven by consumerism, where we buy things we don't really need just to support capitalism.
But we are trained to believe like celebrity imaging
We are conditioned to aspire to be like celebrities who often promote materialism.
When every race color and creed of militant human beings stand up with fists together for substance and true meaning
We need unity among all militant human beings, regardless of race, color, or creed, to fight for substance and meaning.
We're too caught up in a material status quo punishment
We are too focused on material possessions and the status quo that it feels like a punishment.
One thing is for sure and that's the sun will always set
The day will always come to an end, but we can choose to live meaningfully until that happens.
When there are laws against nature
Laws that go against the natural way of things can be harmful to society.
But its okay for you to be addicted to over the counter prescriptions
Society often promotes the use of medication and drugs over natural remedies and healing.
I'm not buying, no I'm not giving in to a culture that objectifies all of our women
We reject a culture that reduces women to objects for male pleasure.
I'm not buying, no I'm not consuming the apathetic dribble on the news media's chin
We refuse to consume news and media that is shallow and apathetic to important issues.
Cause the positive will always overcome the negative right
We believe in the power of positivity and its ability to overcome negativity.
And we stay inside, its right outside, we stand in line
We are often content with staying inside and keeping to ourselves while the issues outside affect us all.
We all enjoy the fences to keep it at bay, but I'm not giving in
We often put up mental barriers to protect ourselves from the harsh realities of the world, but we refuse to give in to that fear.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Steve Choi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Al W
2022 still unreal why RX Bandits aren’t more famous.. it makes sad, they’re unbelievably talented 🙏🏻
Nate Fuller
Touring this summer and rumblings of new music!
Hike Malliday
still slaps in 2020
Random Rachael
Seriously
ilikemyself
Man still claps in ..(checks on phone..) 2022!
Nate Fuller
@ilikemyself 3 days later, still clapping!
ilikemyself
@Nate Fuller haha I actually smiled when I read this. I love song revival.
Reina Grant
i found this song on the Paradise Lost spotify radio and i don’t regret finishing this song. it’s not something i’d typically listen too but this is soooooo good
Shadowshibe
I actually discovered this band when I met the mom of one of the members lmao
First Name Last Name
I love this song — it’s been in my head all morning.