RX Bandits & Zeta 3.14.25

Music Hall of Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY Words & Photos by Pavel Kaplan The energy before an RX Bandits show is electric - almost tangible. Especially in New York, where the punk scene is unlike any other and RXB’s following runs deep. Returning to my hometown for a night like this felt special. The sold-out Music Hall of Williamsburg was absolutely buzzing with excitement this past Pi Day, proving that ska isn’t just alive - it’s thriving. RX Bandits embody love, unity, and artistry in a way few bands can. Due to demand, they extended their 20th-anniversary tour for The Resignation, adding a special Brooklyn show with a fan-curated setlist. In their announcement, they said, “We know we missed a lot of cities… so we wanted to rectify that,” acknowledging the deep connection they share with their fans. They kicked things off with their high-energy track “In Her Drawer”, an anthem addressing the systemic struggles of mental health and normalization of drug abuse and addiction, before launching into “Infection,” an ode to heartbreak which is typically a closer - an unexpected and thrilling switch. Its catchy hook “Is love an infection or a sick addiction?” has lived rent-free in many of our heads and hearts since 2001.

Before diving in, guitarist/vocalist Matt Embree took a moment to say, “No human is illegal,” a simple yet powerful statement that encapsulates RXB’s ethos. Their lyrical themes have long tackled the systemic issues of war, racism, poverty, substance abuse, and heartbreak, and in today’s world, their message feels more necessary than ever. The setlist felt like a journey through their evolution. The GOATed title track from …And The Battle Begun set the room off, a reminder of how deeply that album resonates. Another track off that same album later in the set, “Crushing Destroyer” absolutely crushed and destroyed - I couldn’t resist jumping into the pit for that one. Fingers crossed for an anniversary tour for that album soon! Diving into a taste of The Resignation (2003), they played “Taking Chase As The Serpent Slithers” before shifting back to Progress (2001) for “Consequential Apathy” and “In All Rwanda’s Glory.” The latter was an unexpected and incredible addition - I don’t think I’ve ever heard them play it live before.  Twenty-plus years together is impressive, but the unwavering love from their fans is what truly defines RXB’s legacy. Their bond - with each other and the audience - makes every show feel like a reunion. Many, myself included, experience their music on a near-spiritual level. It’s not just a concert; it’s something deeper, woven into the fabric of our lives. They closed with a powerful run of “Ruby Cumulous,” “Bled To Be Free (The Operation),” “Nugget,” and “Stargazer,” seamlessly blending 2001-era tracks with selections from Gemini, Her Majesty (2014). The encore was a perfect mix - The Resignation staples “Overcome (The Recapitulation)” and “Decrescendo,” with Mandala (2009) bangers “My Lonesome Only Friend” and “Mientras la veo Soñar” sandwiched in between. An RX Bandits show is a collective experience. The crowd doesn’t just sing along - they harmonize with the band, responding to Embree’s call-and-response moments with precision and passion. It’s not the off-key, disruptive kind of singing that can ruin a show for others; it’s a shared, unspoken agreement to uplift the music rather than drown it out. There’s a line I love from a Pigeons Playing Ping Pong song that goes, “The purpose of the show is to rage with the band.” Some concerts are about partying. RXB shows are about connection - a family, in the truest sense of the word, even without blood ties. Ask any RXB fan, and they’ll tell you the same.

Even if you walked in without knowing a single song, you’d immediately recognize that this is a band with 20+ years of chemistry. Their genre-defying fusion of psychedelic punk, ska, alternative, experimental, and math rock has only deepened over the years. Some ska purists lament their evolution, but RXB have never been confined by genre. Guitarist/keyboardist Steve Choi has previously spoken about steering them beyond traditional ska/punk, and the result is something completely their own.  Chris “C-GAK” Tsagakis remains the backbone of their sound, with his drumming an intricate mix of groove and technical mastery. His dynamic style was on full display during “Mientras la veo Soñar,” which features wild 7/8 to 9/8 time shifts and a psychedelic outro. It was even more special with members of opening act Zeta joining on auxiliary percussion, adding another rich layer to an already intricate track. “Bled To Be Free (The Operation),” which they mentioned hadn’t been played in NY for 17 years, was another standout, showcasing C-GAK’s ability to fuse Latin drumming with punk energy seamlessly. Lyrically, RX Bandits remain as urgent and relevant as ever. Their songs - especially those on The Resignation - are calls to action, rejecting corporate capitalism, the military-industrial complex, and systemic oppression. Their messages of self-respect, unity, and revolution feel even truer now than when they were first written. Did they foresee things getting worse? Or did they hope for change? Maybe both. Either way, screaming along with others about it has always been cathartic. RX Bandits have never sold out, and they never will. Their music continues to inspire both musicians and non-musicians alike. Even though I missed Zeta’s opening set (thanks to classic NYC transit issues), I later checked them out and highly recommend giving them a listen. This wasn’t just another stop on their tour - it was a testament to RX Bandits’ time-tested power, their fans’ unwavering passion, and the magic that happens when a band and audience feed off each other’s energy in perfect harmony. Pavel's Photo Gallery www,rxbanditsofficial.com
Setlist: In Her Drawer, Infection, …And The Battle Begun, Taking Chase As The Serpent Slithers, Consequential Apathy, In All Rwanda’s Glory, Crushing Destroyer, Ruby Cumulous, Bled To Be Free (The Operation), Nugget, Stargazer Encore: Overcome (The Recapitulation), My Lonesome Only Friend, Mientras la veo Soñar, Decrescendo