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.
Taking Chase As The Serpent Slithers
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoping I can hold it down and stand
But the aches and shakes don't seem to let up, no no
I got all the questions, and
She has all the answers for me now
Oh I don't believe it, no I don't believe her now
One more hope for tomorrow
Right, just what will bring us down
It keeps us together remembering
Its so easy to forget
Its so easy to forget
When you move so slow darling
Yeah she moves so slowly like a lovers breath
Hoping I can tear down the walls
And breathe what I never knew
All this girl could get into
I've got so many questions
And she got all the answers for me now
Oh I can't believe her, no I don't believe it now
One more hope for tomorrow
One more drink to forget
Just what will bring us down
Keeps us together remembering
Its so easy to forget
When I'm inside her I don't think twice
When she's in my blood you know it feels so nice
Shaking in the morning like
I've been kicked all night
When she's in my blood you know it feels so nice
I'm shaking in the morning like
I've been kicked all night
Sneaky sneaky serpent
With the tricks up his sleeve
Lips like licorice but you can't catch me
Deep between the covers
Listening to her heart's beat
'Til defeat and surrender of what's being covered up
Cause I don't want to give up
What's little last of my luck
So many opportunities
That are boarded up and gently put away
You move so slowly I can't even feel it moving
You move so slowly I can't believe it
The lyrics of "Taking Chase As The Serpent Slithers" by RX Bandits deal with a complex relationship that is plagued with doubts and uncertainties. The singer of the song is hoping to hold on to the relationship, despite the aches and shakes that don't seem to let up. He is seeking answers from his partner, who seems to have all the answers but is not entirely believed. The chorus repeats the phrase "one more hope for tomorrow" and "one more drink to forget," which highlights the desperation and struggles of holding on to something that might not be worth it.
The song has a slow and sensual pace, which captures the mood of the singer's relationship. The metaphor of a serpent slithering is used to describe their relationship, which is dangerous and cunning. The lyrics also touch on the physical intimacy between the two, with lines like "when I'm inside her I don't think twice" and "when she's in my blood, you know it feels so nice."
Overall, "Taking Chase As The Serpent Slithers" is a complex reflection on a troubled relationship. The lyrics are evocative and powerful, and the music matches the mood perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah she moves so slowly like a lovers breath
She moves slowly, like a lover's breath, making him hope that they can make it work.
Hoping I can hold it down and stand
He hopes to keep the relationship together and hopes it will be successful.
But the aches and shakes don't seem to let up, no no
He's experiencing physical and emotional pain and it doesn't seem to be going away.
I got all the questions, and
He has so many questions and doubts about the relationship.
She has all the answers for me now
His partner seems to have answers to all his doubts and questions.
Oh I don't believe it, no I don't believe her now
Despite the supposed answers she has for him, he doesn't believe her.
One more hope for tomorrow
He still has hope for the future of their relationship.
Baby, one more kiss to forget you
He hopes that one more kiss will make him forget about the situation.
Right, just what will bring us down
He's worried about what will cause the relationship to fail.
It keeps us together remembering
They are able to stay together by keeping their memories.
Its so easy to forget
It's easy to forget the good times when the relationship is difficult.
When you move so slow darling
He's frustrated that his partner is moving slowly and it's causing issues.
Hoping I can tear down the walls
He wants to break down the barriers between them.
And breathe what I never knew
He wants to experience something new and different in the relationship.
All this girl could get into
He's wondering what his partner is capable of and willing to do for their relationship.
I've got so many questions
He still has many doubts and concerns about the relationship.
And she got all the answers for me now
Despite his doubts, his partner still seems to have all the answers.
Oh I can't believe her, no I don't believe it now
Despite her having answers, he still doesn't believe her.
One more hope for tomorrow
He still has hope for the future of their relationship.
One more drink to forget
He's trying to forget the situation by drinking.
When I'm inside her I don't think twice
When they are intimate, he doesn't think about their issues or doubts.
When she's in my blood you know it feels so nice
He enjoys being with his partner, and it feels great, like having her in his blood.
Shaking in the morning like I've been kicked all night
He's still nervous and shaky about the relationship, even after a night of intimacy.
Sneaky sneaky serpent with the tricks up his sleeve
He feels that the situation is tricky and like a sneaky serpent, there's always something waiting to surprise him.
Lips like licorice but you can't catch me
His partner is tempting, like licorice, but he can't be caught by her tricks.
Deep between the covers listening to her heart's beat
They are intimate, and he's able to listen to her heart and understand her better.
Til defeat and surrender of what's being covered up
They will stay together until they figure out and release the hidden problems they are struggling with.
Cause I don't want to give up
He doesn't want to give up on the relationship just yet.
What's little last of my luck
He's hanging on to the little bit of luck he has left with the relationship.
So many opportunities that are boarded up and gently put away
There are so many missed opportunities in the relationship, and they've been gently brushed aside, instead of addressed.
You move so slowly I can't even feel it moving
His partner moves so slowly that it's difficult for him to perceive any progress or movement in the relationship.
You move so slowly I can't believe it
He's incredulous that his partner is still not able to move faster and make progress in the relationship.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Dean Embree, Unknown Writer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zack Thompson
Saw them live for my 17th birthday in Leeds on Saturday, they were unbelievable.. Back with brass!
Trevor Ryan
I miss the horns, none the less a fantastic band with a great live show.
lisa marie Nardolillo
This song is so amazing
yoyonj
Listening to the rock against bush album reminded me of this awesome band! Positive always overcomes the negative
Nicklopez81
man im gonna miss this band....at least they gave us good music to enjoy life too....
All_mesa_man92
SIKE U THOUGHT
mikiglitch
man this tune just yes
Ryan Hawley
i literally just started listening to this crazy ass fucking band and i love it already. everyone keeps saying they broke up but they're playing skate and surf here in NJ in two days can someone explain?
Yudhisthar96
The intro of this song is the exact outro of message in a bottle.
Memo Punk
they used to break into it live