Rx Bandits
Rx Bandits | |
|---|---|
| File:RxBandits.gif Top: Chris Tsagakis, Steven Borth, Steve Choi Bottom: Matt Embree, Joe Troy, Chris Sheets | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seal Beach, California, USA |
| Years active | 1997–present |
Rx Bandits is a six-member band based in Seal Beach, California. Their musical style is an eclectic mix of ska, punk, rock, and reggae to a more progressive rock fusion.
History
The band started out 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 Franz J. Worth, saxophonist Noah Gaffney, 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. In the time between Halfway Between Here and There and Progress, Worth and Gaffney quit the band. Worth was replaced by James Salomone, formerly of My Superhero. Gaffney's position was left open.
They have toured with such bands as label mates New Found Glory and Finch, as well as with DESA, Catch 22, Big D and the Kids Table, The Exit, Reel Big Fish, Slow Gherkin and Keziah Jones. They have also appeared on the Vans Warped Tour.
Their live shows are known for being highly energetic, with pre-rehearsed 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. They are known to interpolate songs by other artists, as well as their own, during their jams.
Also, they are notable for their strong political views.
Those Damn Bandits
In 1997, the band released Those Damn Bandits, their first full-length album. Bandits was originally released through Random Order Records. It was this album that caught the attention of the ska scene, which allowed the Bandits to headline their own local shows. Striking while the iron was hot, up-and-coming pop/punk label Drive Thru Records immediately signed the band (in turn buying the rights to Those Damn Bandits and releasing it under their label]] and geared them up for production of their first major label album.
The album was essentially a re-recording of their demo (excluding Sleepy Tyme) plus 4 new songs and a secret track.
Halfway Between Here and There
Bigger production budgets and the backing of a big label (later even bigger) saw the Bandits reach new heights with Halfway Between Here and There. The band held on to their ska roots while exploring a larger element of distorted punk rock. While breaking no boundaries, the album did branch out a bit on tracks such as "Gun In Your Hand" and "Cornered", an allusion to what would be found on their later albums.
The album's success opened doors for the band, which allowed them to tour with well-known act such as The Bloodhound Gang, fellow DTR band A New Found Glory and ska heroes Reel Big Fish. These tours found them the exposure and acceptance they'd always desired.
Halfway sold out rather quickly after it's initial 1998 release. In 1999, the album was re-released with a new track list, 2 remastered songs and new artwork. The '99 release was also release under their newer and simpler name: RX Bandits.
Progress
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". Former Bandit Noah Gaffney also contributed on the song "Anyone But You."
Shortly after the release of the album, Chris Sheets joined the band on trombone. Steve Choi, formerly of the Chinkees, also became a member playing guitar and keyboards. Choi had also played keyboards on the demos that the band made for Progress, but when it came time to record, they decided to have Zahniser play on the album, because at the time he was touring with the band. Former Jeffries Fan Club trombonist, Chris Colonnier also played with the band at times, in the same role as Zahniser. While they had just gained members with Choi and Sheets, James Salomone left the band. They had many tempory replacements, most notably Johnny Tsagakis, who is Chris' younger brother. Joe Troy, a longtime friend of Embree, who also helped to write the song What if? on Halfway Between Here and There, eventually joined the band as their bass player . Also during the same time, longtime trombonist Rich Balling left the band. He was replaced by saxophonist Steve Borth, who had played formerly in the popular East Bay ska-punk band Link 80. The line-up of Embree, Tsagakis, Sheets, Choi, Troy and Borth had spawned two outstanding albums, The Resignation and ...And The Battle Begun, and has lasted until June 28th, 2006, when Borth left.
The Resignation
In 2003, they released The Resignation, a CD/DVD release. Guitars, bass, drums, and some keyboards were all recorded live. Vocals, horns, percussion and additional keyboard parts were then overdubed. They only allowed themselves a limited number of takes for each parts, and they once a take was recorded, it was left as it was, with no punch-ins. 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. Embree is involved with his own independent label, MDB Records, as well as the hip hop group Seekret Socyetee, Coke vs. Bills with Joe Troy, and Apotheke with members of the Rx Bandits. Matt Embree (aka Walrus) as lead guitar and Chris Tsagakis (aka Lynx) as drums can also be found on their other side project featuring a collaboration of multiple musicians in the band known as The Sound of Animals Fighting. One of the most recognizable members for his distinct vocals is Anthony Green (ex-Saosin, more recently of Circa Survive vocalist). Steve Borth has started the band Satori which plays reggae/rocksteady and features members of The Exit as well as Embree on bass. Steve Choi collaborated with Asian Man Records founder Mike Park in both The Chinkees and The Bruce Lee Band.
Rx Bandits Live: Vol. 1
The band then released a dvd of live performances that were filmed during their many live shows. It was one of the first released on Embree's MDB Record label. It also contains two easter eggs, one being a performance of the song Up to No Good, which is the only song recorded during the sessions for The Resignation that was not included on the album. The other is studio footage of the band working on the album.
...And the Battle Begun
Their next album, ...And the Battle Begun will be released in retail stores on October 10, 2006; but has recently leaked onto the internet. Along with the new song "Only for the Night", the Rx Bandits have posted the songs "Crushing Destroyer" and "In Her Drawer",on their Purevolumepage, as well as their own website RX Bandits. As with the Resignation the artwork was done by the multi-talented Aaron Nagel (of Link 80 and DESA fame), who completed his work in-studio while the band was recording their album.
The album is already available for sale on the band's current 2006 US Tour.
This record will be released on Embree's MDB Records.
On June 28th, 2006, the band announced via their MySpace page that saxophone player and backup vocalist Steve Borth had left the band to pursue his own musical interests. Borth had been a member of the RX Bandits since the departure of trombonist Rich Balling, and had contributed his talents to both The Resignation and ...And The Battle Begun. This announcement came in the midst of their 2006 US Summer Tour to the surprise of many fans. Borth played his final show with the RX Bandits on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 (incidentally lead singer/guitarist Matt Embree's birthday) at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.
Band members
- Matthew Embree – vocals, guitar
- Steve Choi – guitar, keyboards
- Steven Jess Borth II. – saxophone, keyboards, backing vocals
- Chris Sheets – trombone, backing vocals, percussion
- Joseph Troy – bass
- Christopher Tsagakis – drums
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Those Damn Bandits | 1998 | |
| Halfway Between Here and There | October 26, 1999 | Drive-Thru Records |
| Progress | July 17, 2001 | Drive-Thru Records |
| The Resignation | July 15, 2003 | Drive-Thru Records |
| ...And the Battle Begun | October 10, 2006 | MDB Records |
DVD
- Rx Bandits Live: Vol. 1 (2004)