Rx Bandits
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Rx Bandits

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"KERRANG! Live Review - UK 2006"

Kerrang Magazine – Live Show Review * KKKK – 4 stars - May 13th , 06 Issue of
(April 26th Satan Hollow- Manchester, England)
“Orange County’s RX Bandits, who are so laid-back they could probably play horizontally with their boots nailed to a vertical stage. They’re still thought of by some as a giddy little ska-punk band but while they’re certainly not ashamed of their roots – there’s little from pre-’Progress’ days but the likes of ‘Consequential Apathy’ and ‘All The Time’ still display that perky, upbeat vibe – they have evolved into much more than that. The horns are still there but the sleek, sinuous shapes they describe are probably now more closely aligned to jazz than ska. It’s a virtuosic, jam-heavy approach and one which is hugely impressive.
- KERRANG


"Mammoth Press - CD Review"

Considering how much the average indie fan likes ska I’m pretty sure the term prog-ska is going to make the run screaming into a corner with their fingers in their ears. However that’s the best way to describe the latest masterpiece by the Rx Bandits. Like a Mars Volta who can actually write memorable SONGS, remember those, the Bandits mix punk and reggae with jazz and progressive rock with jaw dropping skill. If this record doesn’t have you playing air drums you A) don’t have arms and it’s alright or B) are deaf.

At it’s heart …And the Battle Begun is still the same Bandits sound they’ve been blasting out since Progress only this time filtered through much less punk and more rock. Each song is a ripping ride through time signatures and melodies that would make Motown jealous. Matt Embree’s smooth tenor croon is soulful and inflammatory at the same time. The mix of anger and disappointment with optimism and beauty gives the Bandits an emotional platform to rock off of that most bands would kill for.

Rx Bandits have always been a bastion of the punk and ska scenes. While many have deserted for greener pastures playing emo the Bandits have evolved naturally overtime, growing but remembering their roots. …And the Battle Begun is a record that needs to be listened to from start to finish, not because of flow or anything like that but because each song is that damn good. With more riffs and time changes than a metal record and more melody than you can shake a stick at this Battle is anything but a losing one.

9.5 out of 10
RIYL: The Exit, Mars Volta or Common Rider - Mammoth Press


"Ultimate Guitar - CD Review"

Sound: After releasing an album like "The Resignation" its near impossible to put together an album with such ingenuity, intricacy, and freshness. Well, fortunately, the Rx Bandits found a way with "...And The Battle Begun." Track after track is filled to the brim with unique chord progressions, soulful singing, and all out rocking. The constantly changing time signatures easily throw off first time listeners, but this type of music is perfect. It takes many listens to absorb all that the RX Bandits labored to pour into the album. Every song starts one way and evolves to finish differently. Highly musically advanced and emotionally charged, the Bandits have put together a "rock symphony" if you will. Simply incredible. //9

Lyrics: Truthfully, the Rx Bandits boast some of the best lyrics of any current musicians. The lyrics are always honest and emotional. Unlike many bands who struggle to write 12 sets of lyrics for their album and end up writing regurgitated love stories, Matt Embree of the RX Bandits always has a story to tell. His lyrics are thought provoking and obviously come from his heart. He uses his phenomenal range and emotionally charged voice to deliver them exceptionally well. // 9

Impression: If this CD were stolen or lost I would most likely buy 5 more to take its place. I love everything about this album. Putting a review into words is near impossible. This music speaks for itself. If you don't believe me take a listen for yourself. Even if you aren't completely into their style of rock, their phenomenal musicianship should be obvious. Fantastic album, I recommend it to anyone! // 10 - Ultimate Guitar


"Breed Different Media -CD Review"

After a tumultuous tenure as Drive-Thru Records’ least publicized and most underappreciated band, a quick switch to lead singer Matt Embree’s own Mashdown Babylon may prove to be the best thing to happen to the Rx Bandits in their career. Releasing one of the most advanced ska albums in some time (Progress) and enduring a thorough progression that few bands can even dream of with the band’s next release (The Resignation), the lack of respect and attention is so ludicrous that it bewilders many. With their fifth and most recent studio full-length, …And The Battle Begun, the Rx Bandits settled into the sound found on Resignation and have only improved upon it.

The vocal mastery that exists within the band is evident on the opening track, as an a capella intro that introduces the overall theme of the record. Those who have seen the band live have enviously witnessed the pure voice that is of Embree. With a smooth delivery and powerful approach, the vocals throughout the album leave nothing to be desired. The social and political lyrics that the bands has become known for comes forth in the third track, “In Her Drawer.” Citing the different colors and shapes of different pills to treat different inequities in life, Embree calmly stakes a claim that society creates illnesses and symptoms in which “the system” medicates those individuals. The deep and well thought out lyrics of the album is another of the band’s strong points, and keeps with the consistency of past releases.

Track six, “1980,” brings out the Progress side of the band, which is seemingly the song most likely to fit in with the other 15 songs of that ska-masterpiece. A smooth interlude nearly two-minutes into the song displays why it isn’t the same band as before, with a bluesy breakdown featuring finger-snapping and “ohh-ohh-ohh’s” in the background. The reggae influences continue on “Apparition” which follows the more rock oriented “One Million Miles An Hour, Fast Asleep.”

The longest track on the album, “Epoxi-Lips,” utilizes its length quite well. Beginning as a typical tune on the album, the mid-way point of the song brings a change in pace musically that carries an epic battle feel to close out the song, with none other than a victorious ending. “To Our Unborn Daughters” only furthers the musical intricacies and individuality that the band brings to the table. What starts out as a chill song, turns into rapid-paced sing-along, closing out the track with a guitar solo the would make any classic rock band jealous, wishing they had the ability to play the guitar with the aptitude that Embree and Steve Choi play with.

The album then closes with “Crushing Destroyer,” which is the best of many standout tracks featured on …And The Battle Begun. A song that covers many boundaries, the band’s lyrical, musical, and vocal talent are all featured and on display throughout this track. With Embree’s mesmerizing falsetto verse proclaiming: “Mother culture money dream/don’t sell me anything/market facet free for all/you can never steal our love!” one can hardly help but want to shout along at the top of his or her lungs. Following the verse comes a resounding attack from the brass section of the band, leading into the concluding verses of the album. However, with one minute remaining on the album, the Bandits take ten more seconds to change up the pace, seemingly in order to catch your breath and prepare for the hectic close of the album. Following the standard set in “Decrescendo” on The Resignation, a fist-pumping close to the album provides an excellent ending to an unbelievable album and a smile on your face.

Some critics may argue that this album lacks the progression found in the past couple albums, but I disagree. While musically this album stands in the same vain as The Resignation, the growth is still apparent. What really stands out throughout the album more so than in the past is the vocals. Whether it’s the constant harmonizing gang vocals or the impeccable range of Embree, few bands, if any, will be able to top the vocal performance on this album. …And The Battle Begun has taken everything you loved from The Resignation and one-upped it. The Rx Bandits have settled into their genre-defying sound, and knows no musical boundaries. One can only imagine what they’ll think up next.

Rating: A (9.6/10) - Breed Different Media


"Knife Party - CD Review"

”Their new album shatters any genre you can find. Recorded partly in front man Matt Embree's garage, and produced and mixed by the band, this album is the purest example of talent giving birth to beautiful, uncorrupted and uncompromised music.
For those who are already fans of southern California's Rx Bandits, this album is simply the next step in their own musical evolution. To those are not yet familiar to any of the sextet's albums, their latest release is like nothing you have ever heard. If you can picture Bob Marley and the Skatalites, mixed in with Refused and Fugazi, you're somewhere near the music heard on this album. ...And the Battle Begun truly sits as the apex of its own genre. The ska and reggae found on Progress and The Resignation aren't as obvious, but still exist. The Bandits have created their own sound, full of complex rhythms and time signatures, with an endless supply of tempo changes and dynamics.
The Bandits left pop-punk mega house Drive Thru Records to release their 5th album on their own label, MDB Records. The band has toned down the politics of their previous works and has, instead, created a beautiful ode to joy and bliss. Each song preaches the love of being alive. Some songs still feature some social commentary, like "A Mouth Full of Hollow Threats" and "In Her Drawer”. The album defiantly stands alongside its older brothers on the Drive-Thru family in terms of originality, and talent in the sounds that can only be made by a band that truly loves to make music.
Matt Embree's guitar parts have become even more complex and beautiful, gentle but heavy. He and secret weapon Steve Choi, a true artist on both guitar and keyboard, are one of the best guitar duos in music (for further reference, check out "Decrescendo" off of The Resignation). Drummer Chris Tsagakis and bassist Joe Troy have truly evolved from the rock-solid rhythm section found on The Resignation. Check out the song "1980," one of the most upbeat and strong songs, and the first song written on the album, "Only for the Night" to hear some of the most original drum and bass work out there. The horns and keyboards are what truly separate Rx Bandits from their peers; check out "A Mouth Full of Hollow Threats" and album ender "Crushing Destroyer" to see what a band with horns can do in the twenty-first century.
Listen to this album loud. In almost every song there is a soft, delicate keyboard melody somewhere in the background. Each track on this album is flawless. Constantly changing through different rhythms, tempos and keys, this album is sure to dazzle any person looking for something new and original.
I definitely recommend buying this album. I would also recommend seeing these guys live; it's not a show, it is an experience. “

- Knife Party.Com


"SKA.CO.UK - CD Review"

The latest offering from Rx Bandits can only be described as Aural Sex. This album is absolutely brilliant and I've had to think really hard for something to say about it, as it has honestly left me speechless.
The RxB sound has slowly progressed over the course of nearly a decade and 5 studio albums, and each time it's been a wonderful example of the things that this band is capable of. ...And The Battle Begun is indeed a million miles away from the humble ska-punk sound of "Those Damn Bandits" and that progression is jaw-dropping. From a band that started off sounding similar to Damn Skippy, they've evolved into a band that are making music that just cannot be pigeon-holed. My best effort at describing the sound of this album would be progressive, melodic reggae and it sounds awesome.
From the opening haunting vocal melodies of the first track you know you're listening to something that's very VERY good, and that continues right through to the end. Every single track on this album is brilliant, and i honestly couldn’t fault any one of them. There really isn’t one track that stands above the rest, because every single one is that damn good, but my personal favorite at the moment is "Apparition".
There's just one question that ...And the Battle Begun raises; Is it possible for an album to be too good?
- Ska.co.uk


"Leak Mob - CD Review"

”This is by far my most anticipated record of this year a long with last year if you followed the release scheduling of Drive Thru Records before they left. This is their first recorded material as a collective unit since the release of 2003’s The Resignation which was one of the most influential and honest records I have heard from this generation. From the first song to the last, this album is a masterpiece filled with many different influences and a sound that can not be labeled. From the thought provoking lyrics to some of the most creative musicianship, the Rx Bandits are one of today’s finest groups of musicians.”
…”…And The Battle Begun is truly an album that is way better than anything that was released in a very long time. You will find yourself listening to this album over and over because every word and every note seems to have a hint of caffeine. Lyrics with the same type of power and honesty as that off Rage Against The Machine matched with the musicianship of The Mars Volta and The Grateful Dead, there is no negatives about this album other than the fact that it ends. I haven’t felt this strongly since the band released “The Resignation.” Not everyone will get into this record and have the same type of enthusiasm for it as I do. All I can do is say I’m sorry to them because there is just something truly beautiful about an album that can have this type of effect on people or on anyone individual in general, a connection between musician and listener like this is just electric. I haven’t heard another band create music that is so honest and easily enjoyable as the Rx Bandits in years since Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine. Other than The Resignation, …And The Battle Begun is less straight forward with the words but it works out to have a much better effect, this is the type of album that makes you actually think about what you listened to and make you listen more and more just to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Check this album out and make sure you support bands like this, the ones that truly care about their music and do nothing to compromise what they want to do. Album of the year period.”
- Leak Mob.com


Discography

1998- Those Damn Bandits (Pharmacuetical Bandits)
1999- Halfway between Here and There
2001 - Progress
2003 - The Resignation
2006- ...And the Battle Begun

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Bio

RX BANDITS thrive on playing live, and have become well known for putting on both physically and musically explosive shows.
For them musicianship is paramount and is always the top priority which is why the band’s 5th album 2006’s “…And the Battle Begun”, and their previous release 2003’s “'The Resignation' were both recorded live. RX BANDITS then make it a priority to go about making sure that they create a unique and different experience from those recordings for their live shows. RX BANDITS have become more than just a band, they have started their own musical community of sorts, a matrix of music and art with all of it’s members participating in various side projects including: The Sound of Animals Fighting, Apotheke, Satori, Technology and many others. Stemming from this ‘community” came the record label Mash Down Babylon (MDB) Records, that will release the RX BANDITS New Album entitled …And the Battle Begun.