In Case You Missed Them: Rx Bandits

This Week: Rx Bandits
 

There are many words that could describe the sound of Rx Bandits (aka The Pharmaceutical Bandits): ska, reggae, punk, progressive rock, alternative rock. And all of these genres would be spot on descriptions of this multifaceted Southern California based band. Formed in 1995 in Orange County, the Rx Bandits have rocked stages on the Vans Warped tour, Bonnaroo, Coachella, and The Bamboozle Fest.

Originally known as The Pharmaceutical Bandits, the band began their career by participating in the third wave ska revival of the 1990s. In 1997, they released Those Damn Bandits, which featured guest appearances by Jimmy the Robot of the Aquabats and Chris Colonnier of Jeffries Fan Club and The Forces of Evil. Noting the Bandits' potential, a Los Angeles Times review of the album said "Now comes a young, talented ska band, the Pharmaceutical Bandits. It would be OK with me if the Grinch spared them but swiped their ska records and left a shelf of Who, Clash, Bob Marley, Elvis Costello and Neil Young."[1] Matt Embree attended Los Alamitos High School, which was an incubator for other third wave ska bands such as Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, and The Scholars.

 After 7 full length albums and years of touring, the band decided to give fans a proper send off in the form of a farewell tour. Their final shows, consisting of 36 performances spanning from May 4^th to August 7^th was announced in April of this year. Although this was announced as their “last tour,” the band has not officially announced a break up. However, if you ask any true RX fan, the RX Bandits have ended their legacy.

Guitarist Steve Choi said: "To clarify, we’re not breaking up. We’re just doing our last tour. What we’re gonna do in the future, we’re not quite sure. That’s a big question because it involves what we’re going to do collectively and what we’re going to do individually. Despite popular belief, we don’t live together, sleep together or eat together. Those days have passed. We all have our own lives to tend to. When we’re not full time touring or playing shows, we gotta handle business…"

Here are a few BandSoup Bands In the Same Vein:

Finish Ticket

The Sharks
El Dog
Floral Terrace
Odette

In Case You Missed Them: Lannen Fall

This Week: Lannen Fall

Lannen Fall was a rock band formed in 2005 In Boston. Their first EP “Stories” took the Boston scene by surprise. With the soaring vocals of Jay Tagg and the seamless modern rock musings from his accompanying band mates, Lannen Fall quickly rose to hometown heroes in their North East base.

Having opened up for the likes of Fall Out Boy and +44, the band were already seasoned stage veterans on the tour circuit by the time their second release “The Holly EP” hit store shelves in the fall of 2008. In 2009 the band releases their third and final EP “The World Can Wait”. Yet again, Lannen Fall proved they were, at the time, an unstoppable pop-rock force. Later that same year, lead singer/guitarist Jay Tagg was diagnosed with polyps on his vocal chords. Former Bedlight for Blue Eyes singer Danny Rinaldi replaced Jay on vocals, but after a few live shows and attempts at re-recording the latest release, Lannen fall decided to call it quits to explore other music endeavors.

To this day the band remain friends and every now and then play a one off show in the Boston area. The band will be playing a reunion show at the Middle East in Boston on October 22nd.

If you dig Lannen Fall, here are some BandSoup bands you might enjoy:

Moovalya
Count to Four
From the Top

In Case You Missed Them: Envy On The Coast

This Week: Envy On The Coast

Envy On the Coast was a post-hardcore indie band from Long Island, New York formed in 2004. Having already established a reputation all over the Long Island music scene, they released their first “eclectic and unpredictable debut",  Lucy Gray, after the release of a highly praised five-song EP in 2006. With vocals stylings compared to Taking Back Sunday and Incubus, Envy On The Coast took the indie scene by storm. In 2009, they released Lowcountry, a much harder and more rock influenced album. After years of touring with bands such as 30 Seconds To Mars, The Receiving End Of Sirens, and Saosin, EOTC decided to call it quits in 2010. However, from the ashes came NORTH KOREA; a band crafted by former vocalist and guitarist.

If you like Envy on the Coast, you might like these BandSoup bands as well:

Young Circles 
Vices I Admire
Look North

In Case You Missed Them: Jawbreaker

This Week: Jawbreaker

Jawbreaker was a punk rock band formed in 1986 and was considered one of the most influential acts of the early 90’s “emo” movement. Blake Schwarzenbach, Chris Bauermeister and Adam Pfahler formed Jawbreaker while attending New York University and showcased a sound that was a healthy mixture of punk and emo. Blake’s personal and frustrated lyrics, along with his insatiable ability to control a live audience, made him a cult-like leader in the ever growing punk/emo genre. After the release of Dear You, their fourth and final release, internal tension between members ultimately lead to the bands demise. I truly recommend this band to anyone who enjoys simple, gritty, angst filled guitar work.

For fans of: Jets To Brazil and Lifetime

Here are some BandSoup bands that you might dig if you like Jawbreaker: 

Guntown

Moovalya 

The Please & Thank Yous

Pharoahs 

The Estate

When Comets Collide 

In Case You Missed Them: The Receiving End Of Sirens

This Week: The Receiving End Of Sirens

The Receiving End of Sirens (often abbreviated TREOS) was a Post Hardcore/Rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. From 2003-2004, they quickly became a local favorite in the Boston scene. With the departure of lead singer Ben Potrykus and addition of Casey Crescenzo (The Dear Hunter),  the bands sound became far more technical compared to their simple rock roots. In April 2005, their highly anticipated full-length album “Between The Heart and the Synapse” was released on Triple Crown Records. With three singers and a mixture of straight up rock, hardcore, and electronic samples, Treos’ sound was very unique, thus allowing them to quickly climb the charts. Their follow up record “The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi” was a more toned down record, but still featured equally complex guitar work as their debut. TREOS disbanded in 2008 with the release of a statement by Singer Brendan Brown:

“I, Brendan, must admit that I am the main reason why TREOS is ending. My choice to no longer continue on with The Receiving End of Sirens has nothing to do with a lack of love for my band, and/or band members. It has nothing to do with a lack of passion for our music, or any music for that matter. My decision is due mostly in part to a huge rearranging of priorities in my life, and the unquestionable responsibility that comes along with becoming a father…”

Though the Band still plays one-off shows every few years, members have said the odds of seeing a full tour or a new album are slim to none.

For fans of: The Dear Hunter, Therefore I Am, Envy On The Coast, Gatsby’s American Dream.

In Case You Missed Them: You, Me, And Everyone We Know

Seeing as Bandsoup is giving me more freedom than my scatter-brained self should have. I have decided to start a weekly “incase you missed them” column. Where I feature bands that have broken up, but still feel you should listen to.

-Matt

This Week: You, Me, And Everyone We Know.

Formed in 2006 In Baltimore, MD YMAEWK’s tongue and cheek lyrics, and Infectious hooks were becoming a gaint in the pop-rock world. Their first release “Party For The Grown And Sexy” was a healthy mix of pop-punk, jazzy bass lines, and simple but fascinating guitar work. After the release of their second EP “So Young, So Insane” and a brief hiatus, the band resurfaced with a few new members. They also had a new full-length record in hand, titled “Some Things Don’t Wash Out, “Released on Dog House Records in 2010. Due to a well-publicized feud between members the band decided to call it quits. Although plagued with bad timing, and drama You, Me, And Everyone We Know’s Music is still one of MY favorites and hopefully a few listens will convince you of the same.