Composer/Musician Reacts to Rx Bandits - ...and The Battle Begun (REACTION!!!)

[@patmccrotch5373]

The Rx Bandits are masters of what I call the 'guitar scramble' Every instrument is going bat shit, to where it sounds very chaotic, then they all snap back into place and tighten up, and christ it's so awesome.

[@bbourque5]

This!! I've never seen a band that can come up with chaotic riffs that sound so musical. One of the most underrated bands of my lifetime. They opened for another act at a concert I went to in '03 or '04 and they stole the show. Never heard of them prior to that but became a fan instantly.

[@patmccrotch5373]

@@bbourque5 the person that introduced me to them was probably the most gifted musician I ever knew. Perfect pitch, immaculate tempo, can site read, play by ear, everything. He burned me a copy of their album progress.. which was I think 2002-2003.. and it changed my musical life. Here was a band that had such insane musical talent and skill, but still fell under the punk and DIY umbrella. Love them, from that moment on, they always had an influence on my playing, writing, and style.

[@SmyD87_]

Been a fan of these guys since their Drive-thru records days. They put on a hell of a fun show live and every single album is amazing in its own way! I recommend a deep cut from this same album called Epoxi-lips. Complete banger!

[@JesseMartinez_artdeptbandits]

I love that song! Future buddy, G2G, pal-treoux, hearts that hanker for mistakes, I could go on and on. They have some really well written songs. The time structures are incredible. Everything about this band is unbelievable. I just saw them play on Monday night. They fucking killed it.

[@BenjaminSawinski]

Love this band so damned much

[@taterhamster]

HELL YEAH. Love Rx. There are way too many recommendations from them that it would be impossible to choose one. Nearly every song from this entire album could be picked. From the next album (Mandala), "Lonesome Only Friend" or "White Lies" (coming from opposite ends of the energy spectrum).

[@monkjacob85]

They used to be called "pharmaceutical bandits" but changed it to "Rx" to be cleaner to say. I LOVE this band. Every song just blows you away in some way. I also vote for bands that change things up in songs and take hard left turns. Great video! Ps. This bands drummer is awesome!

[@twillymantheoneandonly5587]

In the same way there are Comedian's Comedians, Christopher Tsagakis is a drummer's drummer. This video truly blew my mind in 2006.

[@StoneAndMortar]

Instant playlist. This is one of those times when I’m super glad to have gotten into this community. Finding stuff like this. What a gem.

[@SmyD87_]

You're in for a treat bro! Check out the whole album. Banger after banger.

[@natefuller4039]

Dude ENJOY

[@Laros82]

Absolutely agree this was great!!!

[@nofxdude89]

@@SmyD87_ My favorite album of theirs personally.

[@natefuller4039]

Gary we need an update, how great are the Bandits??? They're touring this summer, try to go see them, they're so good live!!

[@Jaymzmiller]

Nice! I do love a bit of pop-rock-ska-reggae-prog-jazz-swing-metal-classical-jive when I listen to music.

[@CriticalReactions]

Gotta make sure we don't miss any genres when we describe what we like 😂

[@StringHead92]

I'm so glad these guys made it! You captured exactly what I appreciate about them, and it's that catchiness, the poppy feel of their songs even when they mix separate genres or integrate complex elements. I do love the fact that thet infuse elements of ska and reggae in their sound, it's not usually paired with prog for sure, and due to that and also because of the singer's voice (he sounds like Sting, especially on the more reggae inspired sections) they sound like a modern The Police imo. Glad you liked it, Bryan! The album with the same title as this track is awesome and even has a little "suite" in the middle. Lyricially they are a very political band but they never sound preachy to me, and that's an interesting side of them.

[@progperljungman8218]

Listening further to the album I can definetly hear a mix between The Police and The Mars Volta (and more of cause)

[@StringHead92]

@@progperljungman8218 Yeah, they are more "focused" than The Mars Volta, and capture the more "experimental" side of The Police. That's a great way to sum their sound, even if there are other influences.

[@progperljungman8218]

@@StringHead92 Spot on!

[@Driver8takeabreak]

I've been a big RX fan for over 25 years now. So I've heard them all along their musical journey. You've summed them up pretty well here. RX is very political, but also kind of hippy, so I think that's why it doesn't feel preachy. And they're just having so much fun playing. I think that helps as well. RX of this era (and later) gets better the more you listen to it. It can feel a little chaotic on first listen sometimes, but just gets better the more little nuances and parts you start to notice on further listens. In some ways it's sad they haven't gotten bigger than they have, but in some ways it's nice to have them be "smaller" and still just doing what they want to do. If you ever get a chance to see them play live. GO SEE THEM. outstanding live show.

[@patmccrotch5373]

I know this is a few years after the fact, but check out a band called Maxeen... they're straight out of the police influence, they're even a 3 piece, the lead singer sings high like sting, and he's also really solid at bass. If you've never heard of them, check out their self titled album.. very good.

[@joshsny143]

So happy you checked out rx bandits! One of my favorite ska/poppunk/prog/mathrock/fusion bands growing up. They have a lot of quality songs in their catalog

[@LaLeoRonroneo]

One of my favorite bands. I was leaving a concert venue in NY in 2009 and saw a big poster announcing an upcoming RX bandit show. I thought that’s a cool name and went home to listen to their music and was blown away. Needless to say their concert was great

[@CompleteProducer84]

Wow I NEVER thought I’d see the Bandits on this channel! Or any other reaction channel for that matter. I’ve seen these guys 5 times, they are great live as well. If you ever check out more, Mastering the List is a great song as well. You really can’t go wrong with anything, though their first few albums are more heavy on the Ska/Reggae which I love (but many don’t)

[@divided123]

The Resignation is my favorite album of theirs and Mastering the List is a great choice

[@CompleteProducer84]

@@divided123 I think I’d have to go with The Resignation for my overall fav too. It was a perfect bridge between their older more reggae/ska style stuff, and their newer sound

[@natefuller4039]

Their shows are only disappointing when they end.

[@hikemalliday6007]

im subbing because you reacted to this, this album is special to me, and not really that many people know about it.

[@BelairPedicab]

Ska band goes Mars Volta worship, and we all benefit from it!

[@twillymantheoneandonly5587]

I remember hearing early rx bandits. They were a pretty straight forward ska/pop punk band. Then I saw this video and thought, "holy fuck". Jazz, funk, prog, Ska, pop punk, reggae, metal. It starts super tight, timing change into loose, almost improvisational at one point, back to tight pop hooks. It's complex and heavy, but sweat and poppy at the sametime. They basically went Mars Volta, without loosing laymen appeal. They should of been bigger than they are.

[@jonathanolson1185]

Oh yeah, this is good shit. I had totally forgot about Rx!!!!! They're soooooo solid. Some really amazing stuff going on in their music. It takes me back to my days of bands like Anberlin, The Mara Volta, and other bands of that sort. They're an amazingly solid band. Which brings me to: you should listen to Anberlin.

[@ShadowFlame420]

lol nvr thought id hear the mars volta and anberlin in the same sentence. not mad at it tho

[@jonathanolson1185]

@@ShadowFlame420 haha fair. Didn't mean that they were similar at all, just that that was the types of bands I was listening to at the time. Like no metal or HxC.

[@ernestgarduno1492]

If you like this checkout The Sound of Animals Fighting. Basically this band and Anthony Green from Circa Survive.

[@Muckduckly]

Yes.

[@Asianjon85]

Good golly SoAF is so good.

[@natefuller4039]

Way more experimental

[@natefuller4039]

But also awesome

[@drysiftwizard3469]

Apparition, Stargazer, Descrescendo, Sell you beautiful... fuck.. just do the entire "The Resignation" album.. flat out. You will be amazed. it's probably one of the best albums ever made.. in any genre. Also check out the live stuff they do.. esp the audiotree live sessions. The warehouse live video.. also on here.. very good, too. That's them at their peak, imo

[@ProgPro96]

Never really been a fan of ska but RX Bandits music always hit different. If you want an even more technical song by them I'd suggest Bled To Be Free (The Operation).

[@wellsshady]

You can warm up to ska with more genre-mixing bands like RX. Try The Urge, Gruvis Malt's first 2 albums and Bujie and the Highrise.

[@myriadpath]

i am ECSTATIC to see Rx Bandits on your channel. this is literally why i watch reactions, vicarious enjoyment!!! excellent analysis as well!

[@deminybs]

Totally agree, love me some change ups , pretty good tune here, thanks for whoever requested 🤟

[@maxmaidment96]

Why did I forget this band existed? Probably because they don't really fit in with any of my playlists. I will be binge listening these guys again

[@CorvidianSystems]

i know I'm late to the party, but just wanted to add my love for RXB here (originally "the pharmaceutical bandits"). seen them at least 10x since 1997ish, even hung out with them after one of their shows in NJ back on my 19th bday many years ago... anyway, they're always the best live music experiences I've ever had. every time. plus, the people they attract as fans and the energy in the pit is like being in a parallel universe that i would venture to say is a cathartic/spiritual experience for many of us. and every one of their albums has had such a significant impact on the time in my life in which they came out, coupled with the inspiration from their musical skills and lyrics is a big part of who i am today. if they have equals, I've not found them in 25 years of hoping to hear more music like what they put out into the world.

[@myleshennelly9176]

Found this since they're one of my favourite bands, as you go through the years their style changes quite heavily and slows down. Personal favourites? I'd recommend Status, Mastering the List and March Of The Caterpillar for a bit of variation/more ska vibes! Worth noting, they used to be called the pharmaceutical bandits so thats what Rx means, it's even on the cover of their first album :)

[@bjhellstream]

Started off like Paul Simon a la Graceland and into a Mars Volta vibe. Get a ska/punk feel as they often mix in genres. Loved this. So fun. Every part was good.

[@thejetsonslol]

This record blew my freakin' mind back in the day! RX are one of my all-time favorite bands. The record before and forward, they refined their sound, blending different genres together creating something palatable, ultra unique, and delightful. Anyone can put ingredients in a pot, but this is creative genius IMO. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!

[@JesseMartinez_artdeptbandits]

The RXBANDITS are musical gods. Every single note every single beat = pure perfection. It’s ecstasy for the ears body and soul. I’ve never heard another band that sounds anything like them. They stand alone. In their own genre. No one could compare to them. Not even close. If you haven’t heard the RXB; do yourself a favor and listen to them. I wish I could go back in time and listen to them for the first time. To savor and relive the sweet memory.

[@hpcrank]

Been a fan since 1999!

[@JesseMartinez_artdeptbandits]

@@hpcrank me too! I remember hearing ‘What if’ and being blown away…. I miss the screaming the most. Like the end of ‘infection’ is super dope.

[@CorvidianSystems]

100% accurate.. they have no analog. I've tried to find one for the last 25 years. these guys are legends

[@progperljungman8218]

Oh yeah! You're definetly strange Bryan! Welcome to the club! 🙃 Loved this with you - totally! Definetly gonna check them out further!

[@nirmalasokan1687]

Check out their album mandala. That's my favourite

[@MikeP2055]

I had a comp with an RX Bandits song called "Overcome (The Recapitulation)" which sounded a lot like Sublime. It has this very cool dub-like bassline and the tempo gradually increases as the song goes on. I love it. So one day I set out to Borders to buy the CD. NONE of the other songs sounded like Overcome. I was irritated at first but left it in my car stereo for a while. Before I knew it, they were one of my favorite bands. The album before they broke up, Mandala, has an incredible song on it called "My Lonesome Only Friend" that is so, SO good!

[@aloysious2632]

It is so awesome to watch a musician's mind react to them. My favorite band of all time.

[@Asianjon85]

Other RX Bandit Songs to Check out: Analog Boy (early pop/SKA feel), Decrescendo, My Lonesome Only Friend, and Ruby Cumulus

[@CharlesEMurphy]

That was just plain cool!

[@Payvandsalari]

My favorite band🥺

[@jasonlunstrum9599]

I will never forget the way matt described how their music breathes when it hits our ears.

[@user-ne6eu6hy1f]

Some of my favorite RX Bandits songs are Stargazer, Decrescendo, In her Drawer, and Hope is a Butterfly, no Net it's captor.

[@Pxtwny_chill]

FINALLY someone reacts to this tune! The whole album is killer man, thanks for this!

[@louisrepucci8407]

This whole album 🔥 🙌 💯 👌.

[@hikemalliday6007]

Didnt expect this thumbnail. I saw these guys when they were on tour for this album, in Boise in like... 2005 or 06? I dont remember. But the album wasnt even officialy out yet, and we bought the CD at the show. Ive been a huge fan since highschool, band fucking rips.

[@kr3mmy]

old video but an all time fav! one of my favorite things about this band is their entire arc - they started out as a pretty down-the-middle third wave ska band and have ventured into total prog rock now. this particular album was the last one where they featured horns. steve and matt are awesome guitarists. check out their song "ruby cumulous" on Audiotree's youtube channel if you want to see the best drumming they have to offer - it's a TIGHT performance. glad you enjoyed

[@muferguson]

I wish they had continued in this vein for a while. The horns just add something special to the composition on this record.

[@natefuller4039]

Update: They're touring this summer for the first time in years, try to go see them, they're so good live!!

[@quincyschoemann6552]

Saw them in 2010, organized kaos and beautiful

[@nicholaslaport3354]

Also, rx bandits are the bones of the band The Sound of Animals Fighting, and some songs are just them playing as that band, like Blessings Be Yours Mister V

[@sovietmarxman8346]

You definitely need to give a listen to mob mentality by earthside. Its a super unique prog metal track that is more symphony than prog metal and is very well executed. The music video is great.

[@hikemalliday6007]

ALSO: they recorded the drums, guitar, and bass LIVE in their studio on this whole album iirc. YES, you heard that correctly. They probably added more guitars and horns or whatever on top, you know, but I specifically remember the front man Matt talking about how they wanted the energy / feel of a live recording. And he even also said "if you cant play your own songs, then you arent a real band" YUP. Legendary man.

[@tupacca5136]

thats a band, right there

[@winterfrost99]

amazing band, been a fan for yearsssss, the entire album is incredible. honestly took a lik bit of listening to get into them bc i was sooo young when i found them but boy, after it clicked i was HOOKED. love them so much

[@mateo_metal666]

Hell ya Rx rules

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

This was a really fun track. I don't know if it's the kind of song that gets me super-excited enough to run out and check out their albums, but definitely something I enjoyed while it was playing. I think with music (like with any art) that subverts expectations it's entirely down to the specifics of how it does it. Back when I wrote poetry I always remembered this great saying about the "expectation" of meter and form: "Don’t think if  you cheat on form or slip the meter, no one will notice. They’ll know and think you a fool. Don’t think it impossible to cheat on form or meter. If you do it well, they’ll think you a genius." I think the same basic concept applies to all art. The artists that manage to subvert our expectations well we think are geniuses, and those that do it poorly we think are foolish. Trying to define what counts as doing it well/poorly is a whole other kettle of fish, of course.

[@ambassadortourettes753]

Always loved this band.... Even better live natural as well 👌

[@hikemalliday6007]

But ya the band has 2 guitarists, and they play so, so well off eachother. They layer their two parts in a way that always sounds so good.

[@angelnevarez3358]

Rx Bandits are one of the best progressive bands out there, super underrated!

[@ilmmall]

Ive been a fan of The sound of animals figthing for q while but just recently found out that most members are from Rx Bandits, ive listened a bit from them but i was not completely convinced but damn this song just did it for me, i gotta listen some more... if anyone has other Rx bandits songs to recomend that sort of do what this song does i would be grateful by the way, was bailling not in the band when they made this one?

[@grimmy24]

Fuuuuhhhh, I need you to listen to their Mandala album. Such an underrated band.

[@mouthegg]

If you like this, you would absolutely love Monobody - Gilgamesh (R-Texas). That song will definitely surprise you

[@LoudModeOn]

I'm never not in the mood to listen to RX Bandits. So good.

[@lohankarachay476]

Oh! That remind me Disillusion - ...and the mirror cracked. Prog death whatever. So good!!!

[@natefuller4039]

Absolutely my all time favorite band the R-X Bandits, but originally the Pharmaceutical Bandits in the mid 90's. They play all of their albums as a band and only layer vocals. Their live performances are pristine even with all the switch ups, the drummer is self taught and went to high school with the lead singer. They dropped the brass on their two most recent albums. These guys took an official break back in 2016 but didn't break up, they just all had some adulting to do. Lead singer (Matt Embree) filled in and toured with Dispatch at lead guitar the last few years. Currently social media drops are hinting that they're working on new material and I am PUMPED. Highly recommend checking out Decrescendo live version kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqHbqH56mc9lqNE I was actually at this concert way back in 2003!

[@jay_vero]

rx bandits are great. have you heard a wilhelm scream?

[@CriticalReactions]

I know of the Wilhelm Scream but I assume you're talking about a band?

[@jay_vero]

@@CriticalReactions yeah they are a pretty interesting punk rock / a lot going on type band

[@jay_vero]

We built this city or the horse are pretty good ones to start with

[@joshsny143]

A Wilhelm scream is definitely a good rec. They're technical punk rock even though that sounds like an oxymoron

[@SmyD87_]

Ahhh a fellow wilhelm/rx bandits fan! We are instant friends for life lol!

[@twillymantheoneandonly5587]

I remember hearing early rx bandits. They were a pretty straight forward ska/pop punk band. Then I saw this video and thought, "holy fuck". Jazz, funk, prog, Ska, pop punk, reggae, metal. It starts super tight, timing change into loose, almost improvisational at one point, back to tight pop hooks. It's complex and heavy, but sweat and poppy at the sametime. They basically went Mars Volta, without loosing laymen appeal. They should of been bigger than they are.

[@eddiebernays514]

check out heavy heavy low low, duck duck goose, the number 12 looks like you and fear before the march of flames. been listening to them and rx bandits since they started and ive loved them since because they mix so many different types of music together. lots of jazz, pop, metal, latin, reggae mixed together.

[@eddiebernays514]

and dont forget the sound of animals fighting

[@eddiebernays514]

fyi the sound of animals fighting is a mix of multiple band members, including the RX bandits.

[@hikemalliday6007]

Ya and the bass player gave me his pick at that show I went and saw for this album's tour. Alright /end spam lol

[@eliagloro9300]

Rx bandits- Decrescendo is a really good one

[@plasmar1]

I believe they use to be called Pharmaceutical bandits but renamed to RX Bandits

[@mattvillarrubia3621]

Major Parkinson - Baseball. Talk about an unexpected ear worm

[@nofxdude89]

Original name back in the day was "Pharmaceutical Bandits". They later shortened it to RX Bandits - You say the "R" and "X" as you have been.

[@Driver8takeabreak]

The Bandits started as the Pharmaceutical bandits their first few years (and their first album), but then shortened it to Rx or RX (and you just call it "R. X. Bandits". I believe it was because the original was too long of a name. They really haven't had a whole lot of bad songs. Their progression over the years has been pretty fun to watch (starting as a pop/punk/ska band to a progressive band that is really hard to categorize). Their 3rd album Progress really started to take things a little more away from "generic" ska, and they've just gone further out there with each successive album. Bled to be Free (The Operation), Wide Open, Infection, To our Unborn Daughters, Falling Down the Mountain, 1980, In Her Drawer. are some good options. But really I don't think you can go wrong with almost any of their songs (but I'm a big fan, so obviously biased).

[@nicholaslaport3354]

Rx bandits - apparition

[@12HarmonicChaos]

the quick hits remind me of some of fugazi's tracks

[@joypad6677]

FUCK YEAH

[@drysiftwizard3469]

At one time, they were called the "Pharmaceutical Bandits" and around the late 90's.. changed it to Rx. Don't ask me how I know.. I was there.. i'm old.. lol. Also, Matt Embree's voice is pure sex.

[@reguba3534]

Wish I could have recommended Saloon by The Ongoing Concept in time for this theme. Oh well, maybe next time

[@danieldbor]

Another nice one, but from memory pretty soon after listening. You touched on the novelty though, I think at can work in some songs but some bands go a little too much at it. Like you said it subverts expactations and breaks order, so it really depends on how the novelty is employed imo.

[@samsavage712]

Papelillo - Plini

[@xdivinematrix9291]

Holographic Universe by Scar Symmetry please 👍😉

[@bcpkccable]

Dreambender-The Kindred Everbound-The Kindred

[@jamesbrady2278]

When are you going to do critical reactions about one of the greatest keyboard players that ever lived Keith Emerson and what he composed

[@hpcrank]

They used to be called The Pharmaceutical Bandits when they started in 1995! Then change for RX Bandits in 1999 ;)

[@plexus]

I think if anything else, it’d be the Prescription Bandits. But no, you just say “RX”.