California’s genre-splicing kaleidoscopic rockers RX Bandits have returned after a lengthy hiatus with their first album in five years, Gemini, Her Majesty, out July 22nd via Mash Down Babylon/INGrooves. Their run as CraveOnline’s Band of The Month for July is a perfect lead-in to their celebrated return, with a series of exclusive studio performances of new songs rolling out over the next four weeks.
After reuniting last year for a covers EP and ten year anniversary tour for their Resignation album, the time-shifting, genre-splicing collective found a new kinetic passion for their sound nearly two decades in. The follow-up to 2009′s masterpiece Mandala was produced by Jason Cupp (Maps & Atlases, The Elected) at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Sonoma County, CA, and holds every ounce of promise and power that its celebrated predecessor did.
Below, an exclusive performance of new track “1995,” a slight homage to the legendary Fugazi, brings new fire to fans longing for the trap-door excitement and careening shifts of sound RX Bandits’ finest work. We’re thrilled to bring you a taste of Gemini, Her Majesty through RXB’s Band of The Month performance – check out “1995” below, exclusively on Crave:
Gemini, Her Majesty was fueled by a successful fundraising campaign on PledgeMusic, crushing their original goal and illustrating a maniacal enthusiasm from a public longing for RXB’s cauldron hybridization of reggae, ska, prog-rock and beyond. Frontman Matt Embree notes that Gemini marks a new songwriting approach for the SoCal rockers, who celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band next year.
Band of The Month: CraveOnstage Sessions Archive
“In the past, our aim was to bridge the gap between our recorded music and our live performance,” Matt offers. “But this time around we really didn’t ever consider that. We almost willingly ignored it. It was really nice to make a record that we didn’t apply live performance constraints to. That said, now we’re going to have the hefty task of figuring out how we want to arrange and play these new songs live. We love the challenge.”
Pre-order Gemini, Her Majesty at the official RXB website, and keep up with the guys on Facebook and Twitter. If the goosebumps are still standing on your arms from “1995,” get ready to catch a whole lot more RXB goodness on tour as they play through the U.S. between July and August (dates below).
Previous Band of The Month Performances:
Alain Johannes / Grieves / Steel Panther / Vintage Trouble / Semi Precious Weapons
Hot Karate / RX Bandits / Nico Vega / The Mowgli’s / Dessa / Everlast
The Wild Feathers / The Silent Comedy / LP
