Rx Bandits

Matt Embree - vocals/guitar
Rich Balling - trombone/vocals
James Salamone – bass
Chris Tsagakis - drums

There are bands that merely "grow," and then there are bands that truly evolve. There are bands that find a sound that works and stick to it like it's their religion, and then there are bands that only use that sound as a foundation, a launching pad into greater things.

With a title like Progress, there is little doubt about which type of band Rx Bandits aspire to be on their third album for DriveThru Records. What's more, they live up to those aspirations quite convincingly. Listing the individual elements that make up Progress would be futile, as it's their composite effect that makes this a stunning leap forward.

"Our first album was mostly peppy ska tunes about soccer girls. The second album was called Halfway Between Here And There. It brought in some new elements like reggae. That was the stepping stone," explains Rich of the band's maturation. "Now this album's totally different."

"I want people to say that this is a new standard for a band that has horns," he continues. As lyricist and chief songwriter, Matt is largely the one responsible for propelling the band to that new standard. He's cognizant of the band's past, but wasn't about to let that hold him back. " I wrote these songs without worrying about what style of music they were," says Matt. "But keeping in mind the whole band, and making sure not to go too far out."

Progress is the band's most Sonically dense, musically complex, and lyrically insightful work to date. It's The sound of a band coming into its own with clear vision and purpose. Progress not only reflects eclectic musical tastes, but reveals the Budding social consciousness of a band that's fed up with a culture of apathy and thoughtlessness.