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.
This Time
RX Bandits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It is for me to sing about
Religion, and my thoughts of you and
Now this time its out
Now back to, the basics
The simple thoughts I had in mind
The skyline, outlining, too specialized and overlooked
I can't complain, its seems that
I just can't explain why things aren't right
Its the mysteries that balance
How my ponderings are countless
I need this one part because
I think that its this time, with you
And falling in sickness
Can't touch the things I need tonight
It makes me regret this
This worlds and all its perfect lies
In RX Bandits’s song This Time, the singer reflects on his thoughts and feelings about religion and his relationship. He sings about how easy it is for him to talk about religion and his thoughts on his relationship now that he has decided to let it all out in the open. He then goes into discussing how he wants to go back to basics and simple thoughts he had in mind. The skyline is too specialized and overlooked, and he can't complain as it seems he has everything he needs. However, even with all these things in place, he just can’t explain why things aren't right. It’s the mysteries that balance how his ponderings are countless. He needs one part, as he thinks it's this time with his significant other. Falling in sickness can't touch the things he needs tonight, making him regret this world and all of its perfect lies.
This Time is a song that reflects on the complications of relationships and how sometimes things don't always work out despite having everything we need. It’s a song that speaks to the many mysteries of life that we don't always understand or have answers for. The singer expresses his desire to go back to simplicity and focus on what is essential in life.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know, how easy
Expressing that it is difficult to explain oneself
It is for me to sing about
Talking about the ease of expressing oneself through music
Religion, and my thoughts of you and
Mentioning religion and thoughts about another person
Now this time its out
Referring to a change in the present time
Now back to, the basics
Returning to the basics of life
The simple thoughts I had in mind
Reflecting on the simplicity of one's previous thoughts
The skyline, outlining, too specialized and overlooked
Noticing the beauty of the skyline being overlooked due to specialization
I can't complain, its seems that
Acknowledging that there's nothing to complain about
I've got everything, I need and
Feeling satisfied with what one has
I just can't explain why things aren't right
Expressing confusion about why things aren't going well
Its the mysteries that balance
Believing in the balance of life's mysteries
How my ponderings are countless
Reflecting on the numerous thoughts one has
I need this one part because
Expressing a need for something specific
I think that its this time, with you
Believing that the current time spent with someone is important
And falling in sickness
Possibly feeling sick or experiencing hardship
Can't touch the things I need tonight
Feeling unreachable desires
It makes me regret this
Feeling regret or disillusionment with the present situation
This worlds and all its perfect lies
Criticizing the illusion of perfection in life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brad Zoltz
This band was my very first concert at 14 years old. I’m 31 now and they have left one hell of an impression for me on how music should sound live!! Bandits for life!!
Jordan L
One of the best live performances i've seen was when I saw these guys in denver in like 2005. The vocals only get better live.
Mandrilo
I was introduced to Rx Bandits through this song. 8 years after I'm here again.
Quoth the Raven
Life won't be right til this album is on iTunes.
Bushido Zombie
Quoth the Raven waiting on the same.
Nic Stasso
Warped Tour 2000 is when I first heard of these guys. I got ahold of Drive-Thru Records Sampler "You'll Never Eat Fast Food Again" (11/1999) and have surprisingly held onto the disc all these years.
brian
actually me too
bovineblitzkrieg
this album was so ahead of its time
the dude
This song will always remind me of my freshman year in college. I miss those days..
KC Jackson
There was an acoustic version of this song they did for some radio station. It was my favorite version. I downloaded the mp3 on napster (yeah, im old). I wish I could find it. it was so good!