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.
Ruby Cumulous
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silk and cedar, sleeping out in the cold.
Got my badge, got my gun, got my anger.
She didn't wanna sleep alone that night.
(Who would say no? who would say no?)
I didn't answer when she called that night (Oh my god, twenty years old, twenty years old)
Now when I close my eyes I see her face.
Cause the love you give is the love you take and the heart you hold is the one you break.
I was her savior and she was my scapegoat.
Ruby cumulous, In an alley alone.
Dial the number, but there's nobody home.
Got my foil, got my fire, got my sorrow.
She didn't wanna sleep alone that night.
(Who would say no? who would say no?)
I didn't answer when she called that night
(Oh my god, twenty years old, twenty years old)
Now when I close my eyes I see her face.
'Cause the love you give is the love
you take and the heart you hold is the one you break.
It's my behavior that I abhor.
I was her savior and she was my scapegoat.
Like paper angels, strung in a row.
Drunk with inertia, they never grow old.
The lyrics of RX Bandits' "Ruby Cumulous" tell a story of a love gone wrong. The song paints a picture of a woman who was once the singer's lover, now adorned in gold silk and cedar, forced to sleep out in the cold. The singer reflects on his past behavior and regrets not answering her call when she wanted him near. In his reminiscing, he realizes that the love one gives is the love one takes, and the heart one holds is the one that breaks. He recognizes that he was once her savior, but now she is his scapegoat. The lyrics have a melancholic tone that encapsulates the songwriter's regret and longing for a love that was once there.
The song's title, "Ruby Cumulous," is a play on words that is a phonetic amalgamation of ruby, the precious stone, and cumulus, a type of cloud. The song portrays a woman who was once precious to the singer, but their relationship is now as fleeting as a cloud. The song reveals the painful reality that, as the change of seasons causes clouds to disappear, love also fades away.
Line by Line Meaning
Once my lover, now she's dressed up in gold.
My former romantic partner is now wealthy and successful.
Silk and cedar, sleeping out in the cold.
Despite her current luxuries, she is still unhappy and alone.
Got my badge, got my gun, got my anger.
I am armed with authority and resentment.
She didn't wanna sleep alone that night.
She desired my companionship that evening.
(Who would say no? who would say no?)
It was an offer difficult to decline.
I didn't answer when she called that night.
I purposely ignored her attempt to contact me.
(Oh my god, twenty years old, twenty years old)
I was young and irresponsible at the time.
Now when I close my eyes I see her face.
I cannot escape the guilt and regret I feel for my actions.
'Cause the love you give is the love you take and the heart you hold is the one you break.
The love and affection you show to others is what you will receive in return, and the love you possess may cause harm to others.
It's my behavior that I abhor.
I hate my own actions and their consequences.
I was her savior and she was my scapegoat.
I saw myself as her protector, but actually used her as a means to deflect from my own problems.
Ruby cumulous, In an alley alone.
A woman named Ruby is deserted and helpless in an alleyway.
Dial the number, but there's nobody home.
An attempt to contact someone for help is fruitless.
Got my foil, got my fire, got my sorrow.
I have a means of lighting a fire and a damaged emotional state.
Like paper angels, strung in a row.
Frail and insubstantial figurines lined up in a display.
Drunk with inertia, they never grow old.
They are stagnant and never progress or develop.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Partain
This performance is monsterous!
Kaitlyn
holy SHIT why doesn’t this have more views….. this is wild…. that breakdown at the end always gets me, but this live versions gave me CHILLS. amazing
Lemuel Connell
This music is just sexy. Props to Audiotree for always showing me new music!!!
Eel/dUEave
Oh man, I'm actually excited for you if this is your first time discovering RX Bandits - there's a gold mine of incredibly good CDs for you to go back and discover. Amazing progression as a band (from their humble beginnings as a ska band). If you dig this tune I'd check out the stuff that came out closest to this new album: Mandala, ...And the Battle Begun - two albums that I'd recommend to anyone shamelessly. Cheers!
Joe Dawe
Anyone else wanna see just the drummers video feed? He is amazing..
Dave Messenheimer
Joe Dawe Yes. I've probably heard this song 300 times at this point, and I still find new parts in the drum line. Chris is a special drummer.
Donut153
+Joe Dawe hes the drummer for The Sound of Animals Fighting too, in case you didnt know, more greatness for you to enjoy :D
Matt Smith
+Kelly Em4 looks like he hold them right to me
amongcriminals
Such a solid drummer!
Elliott Clarke
He does everything "wrong" and yet it works so so well...