Rx Bandits

Rx Bandits: Live Vol. 1 DVDLive Vol. 1 DVD (2004)
Mash Down Babylon

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

Contributed by: FuzzyFuzzy
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 20th 2004Getting this out of the way now: The RX Bandits are one of my favorite bands. Ever. With that disclaimer comes this overview of their new Mash Down Babylon Records released DVD, simply titled Live Vol. 1. For many fans, this has been a long time coming, especially after the debacle with the ear.

Getting this out of the way now: The RX Bandits are one of my favorite bands. Ever.

With that disclaimer comes this overview of their new Mash Down Babylon Records released DVD, simply titled Live Vol. 1. For many fans, this has been a long time coming, especially after the debacle with the early pressings of The Resignation's bonus DVD, where the audio and video weren't synced properly. Rumor has it that Drive-Thru was dragging their feet on releasing/getting ready a DVD for them, so Matt decided to go and release it on his record label. However it happened, I'm glad it did, as it documents the band at a wonderful point in their history, prior to the release of their masterpiece, The Resignation, in the height of the political unrest surrounding the war in Iraq and other issues.

It comes with two shows, one from the "War is Worthless" benefits they helped with, and the other isn't a show per say, but a conglomeration of bootlegs and acoustic tracks. There is also a slideshow contained herein.

The first show is pretty much amazing. This is Matt Embree and folks pre-lumberjack beard and at the beginning of the shaggy hair. If you've never seen them, they are one of the tightest live bands I've seen, and keep the music going all the time. Chris pounds the skins, adding in fills and segues, keeping the music up. The audio quality is just plain amazing. It sounds perfect, and sometimes you have to double check their lips to make sure they didn't overdub this in the studio. The video quality is mixed, although the style is very fitting for the Bandits. You won't see any perfect, clean video here, it's kind of grainy and always jerky, but it fits them so well. You're experiencing the band live when you're watching this show, on stage with them, with energy and intensity that I can only imagine one would feel backstage translated into camera motions and angles. It's a great document of the band.

The second agglomeration of tracks starts off with an amazing performance of Decrescendo. The audio is spot-on, providing an amazing track, but the video quality could use some diversity. It's comprised of a long show with all the band members on stage, and you can barely make them out. however, the amazing audio quality makes up for it. The second track is Prophetic, which has the opposite problem. Very interesting camera work, with fairly poor audio. It's not terrible, but it doesn't match up with the rest of the DVD thus far. These are the two stand out tracks for odd quality, and the rest is impeccable. An amazing special for us fans is the very jamaica-ska sounding rendition of Nugget, complete with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Also on here is a very early live performance of Infection. I think at this point you get the point, these are some really cool rarities, and a must have for fans.

The best feature on here, for me at least, are the acoustic/Salvation Army benefit tracks. One thing that is rarely mentioned about the RXB is Matt's amazing vocal abilities and melodic genius. These clips highlight (in high quality) the perfect marriage between his voice and the music he plays. It's hard to imagine that one man with a single guitar is producing the sounds, but it's there in front of you. Then add Joseph and Chris (although it may not be him on drums, now that I double check it) into the mix with bass and drums, and you get a soulful representation of some already amazing songs.

The slideshow is just that, a slideshow of pictures set to music. Not that wonderful, but interesting to play in a window on your computer while you're doing some work (or writing a review!). All in all, this DVD is really great. It's a testament to a wonderful band who play some amazing music. Obviously, this caters more directly to their existing fans, but no newcomer would be disappointed by what they see on here, unlike many live CDs or DVDs.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (July 26, 2004)

"melodic genius"? give me a fucking break

lightyear (July 23, 2004)

i have met matt (and the other members) a few times. the second time was a while before the gig, and he had time to talk to me, and try to find other people to sign stuff for me. he is not an elitist shit. and they were fantastic live.

CrookedSuperhero (July 23, 2004)

I talked to Matt for a bit and he seems like a good guy, theres an interview with him in a zine called rancid news this month that he also seems pretty nice in.

www.rnzine.co.uk

Fuzzy (July 22, 2004)

Have you guys hung out with Matt? I'm just curious as to why you would think that about him. I've been emailing him back and forth and he seems pretty cool.

stevejonestherealbones (July 22, 2004)

"the singer is such an elitist piece of shit."

although a little harsh, yup

- jones bones moans cones phones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Not-To-Regret (July 22, 2004)

Ska or not, the last too albums fucking rocked (minus a few tracks obviously). Halfway Between Here & There was cool too, but it came straight out of the ska cookie cutter at the time. I saw Rx live in 2002 and it was fucking amazing. Matt Embree deserves to be elitest, he writes songs unlike any other band i've heard (minus the obvious influences). Listen to 'Falling Down the Mountain' off of 'The Resignation', and judge for yourself.

Take an axe to your make-up kit.

Anonymous (July 22, 2004)

you're an elitist piece of shit

Anonymous (July 22, 2004)

the singer is such an elitist piece of shit.

sleepy (July 22, 2004)

well, as long as you can aknowledge that, i guess i can deal with you.

stevejonestherealbones (July 22, 2004)

whats everyones obbsession with that word, "douchebag"
anyway, yeah its a lame nickname that someone gave me on this vary website that i continue to use because people think it is simultaneously the funniest and worst thing about this website

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (July 22, 2004)

hey steve jones, you're a douchebag.

I don't give a rat's ass about the evolution of ska, or about the rx bandits, but your little "jones the bones" signature is simultaneously the worst and funniest thing about this website.

Fuzzy (July 22, 2004)

Ah, I always thought/heard that reggae was the direct successor to ska, and dancehall came later. You very well may be right, and I wouldn't doubt if they actually happened simultaneously. The whole evolution of music in Jamaica is really interesting.

BSD (July 21, 2004)

Rock steady came before reggae, at least that's what I thought. It's slowed down ska. Reggae is basically rock steady with a groove.

Fuzzy (July 21, 2004)

Yup. Bento then Ska then Reggae then Rocksteady, Dancehall, Dub, and on and on..... Two Tone, NYC Ska, Ska-core (east coast), Ska-Punk (west coast), and it keeps going. Ride the waves, ladies.

stevejonestherealbones (July 21, 2004)

or i mean, y2k4 glitch. not my fault
- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

stevejonestherealbones (July 21, 2004)

i meant from. oops tizzypo

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

BSD (July 21, 2004)

Reggae and dub came after ska. What are you talking about?

stevejonestherealbones (July 21, 2004)

i call it "noSka" jk. horn rock. i dont know. i cant believe i am talking to someone about whether or not the rx bandits are ska or not. this is a lame convo. bottom line is i like the music alot, and you may be right cause i heard a little sk influence i guess, but i always kinda think of it as reggae or dub influence, which had influence on ska in the first place, so now i am just unsure and will only classify bands as rock, horn rock, and fag rock (yellowcard)
peace

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

at_the_drive_in_21 (July 21, 2004)

I was so stoked to see these guys live and was extremely disappointed.
Maybe it was the terrible mix - but it was incredibly bad. And I really like their stuff.

at_the_drive_in_21 (July 21, 2004)

"Delicious"

Fuzzy (July 21, 2004)

I consider their whole sound an evolution of 3rd wave ska, mixing in elements of late two tone, dub, classic rock, and punk. What do you call it?

stevejonestherealbones (July 21, 2004)

i do. which songs on the resignation do you consider ska?

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Fuzzy (July 21, 2004)

Listen to some ska that was made before 1995.

stevejonestherealbones (July 21, 2004)

its not ska. perhaps reggae or dub influenced. not ska

maverick (July 21, 2004)

Painaxl-

Trust me, I know about Chris' Warped. I live about 3 minutes from there driving. I'll be there tomorrow night for the Black Cross/Lords in-store, too. Good times.

-Scott

Fuzzy (July 21, 2004)

"If this isn't ska, then I'm not...um...something that I most definitely am."

if you think thism is ska. then you are an idiot
Have you ever listened to ska aside from the third wave stuff? Check out "In the Studio" by the Special AKA. The changes and moves that RXB made are so similar to the ways in which the Specials were expanding their sound then. RXB are definitely expanding the sound of modern ska, experimenting and integrating a lot of other musics, but it's not like they have completely left it behind in any way. Know some history of such a changing music like ska before you comment on it.

Anonymous (July 21, 2004)

I saw this band live, it was one of the most boring sets I've ever seen.

thriceequalsgod (July 21, 2004)

this is my favorite band, so I'm gonna have to pick this up very very soon.

Anonymous (July 21, 2004)

I'm seeing them tonight! I rule the school!

Anonymous (July 21, 2004)

Scott,

Check out Chris' Warped Records in Lakewood, OH.

http://www.warped-records.com

Best indie record store around.

-Painaxl

pwfanatic (July 21, 2004)

rx bandits are one of the better live shows around. good review, might have to pick this up.

CrookedSuperhero (July 21, 2004)

Hey Scott, i think these are the only stores that stock there releases:
Amoeba - Los Angeles, CA
The Beat - Sacramento, CA
Fat Beats - Los Angeles, CA
Fingerprints - Long Beach, CA
Tonebender - Sacramento, CA
I believe you live in Cleveland, so i'd go for the webstore

stevejonestherealbones (July 21, 2004)

"If this isn't ska, then I'm not...um...something that I most definitely am."

if you think thism is ska. then you are an idiot

noreply (July 21, 2004)

i get to see streetlight and ASOB tomorrow. im such a lucky guy sometimes.

Anonymous (July 21, 2004)

These guys are fucking amazing.
This is a great DVD. I don't think anything can compare to the Chili Peppers "Live at Slane Castle," but this is pretty damn close. I love the acoustic songs. And the live songs.
I seriously can't get enough of these guys, its probably unhealthy how much "progress" and "the resignation" play to my ears.
With this being said, I suggest you buy this. Its 12 dollars. That should be reason alone.

notfeelingcreative (July 21, 2004)

I saw rxb at the coast to caost roast a couple of weeks ago, damn i'm glad i did, they were the only interesting band on the bill!

Fuzzy (July 21, 2004)

If this isn't ska, then I'm not...um...something that I most definitely am.

Anchors (July 20, 2004)

Whatever you say, man.

stevejonestherealbones (July 20, 2004)

youre in luck anchors, cause this aint ska

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

I can't stand ska, but this band seems to transcend genres.

I'll most likely pick this up.

- Anchors

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

""Even if you don't like RX Bandits you can't deny that their live show is fantastic."

No, no they don't."

Hah! You don't make sense, shitbrain

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

Any of the "Bootlegs" have Rich in it?

fattony (July 20, 2004)

This is hands-down the best music DVD I own.

Scott: I don't think MDB has any wide distribution deals yet, so I think you can probably only get it through the RxB/MDB website or probably at an RxB show.

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

"Even if you don't like RX Bandits you can't deny that their live show is fantastic."

No, no they don't.

U-Mass (July 20, 2004)

Even if you don't like RX Bandits you can't deny that their live show is fantastic.

stevejonestherealbones (July 20, 2004)

haha..whoever is hardcore dancing to rxb is obviously a moron in the first place. probably doing it there at an rxb show cause they cant handle it with a hardcore band. its like trying to start a pit to the cure or something.

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

yes, it is excellent.

To the person below, Mash Down Babylon Records and Drive Thru Records both have it in their webstores.

Unfortunately, my copy of it was stolen before I had a chance to watch most of it.

I'm a little dissapointed that the acoustic verison of "Message in a Bottle" that they played with Finch isn't on there.

Great band.

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

oh shit heaven forbid we kick an asshole whos pissing everyone off out. Fucktards wanna get wasted they should do it at home.

maverick (July 20, 2004)

Must get this. As soon as possible.

Does anyone know if it's only available through mailorder/internet, or is it being sold in stores, too?

-Scott

BSD (July 20, 2004)

It's just lame when bands try to protect their audience or control them. Fuck that trip.

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

This band is proof that if you suck hard enough, someone will like you. At least in prison.

i-type-poorly (July 20, 2004)

Yeah, doing his stupid drunken asshole thing. Good, kick him out.

BSD (July 20, 2004)

This band is so lame it's not even funny. They try to control their crowd like Nazis. When I saw them some fuckhead was doing the silly hardcore thing and kind of moshing up the fashioncore crowd, and he was obviously inebriated, yet the singer shithead was all up on his balls, breakin' them with a hammer:

"Hey, you! Get the fuck out! Get the fuck out!"

This guy got kicked out of the show for doing his own thing, I thought it was bullshit.

stevejonestherealbones (July 20, 2004)

- jones the bones

- stevejonse8770@yahoo.com

stevejonestherealbones (July 20, 2004)

i dont always agree with matt embree's lyrics, like, if a chick wants a boob job , more power to her. but rx b make some of the best rock around.