Words From the Bandit

Bohemian Rap CD

2010-02-08T19:36:00.003-05:00

Ooooh weeee! I've been busy. My absence has not been futile. I've been busy finishing recording for the Bohemian Rap CD, which will be released on March 4th. Hip Hop Linguistics has 2 of my favorite songs off the release for free download. Little High/ Little Low is the first single, and I guess you could say Leave You All Behind is the B-side. Enjoy.

Ryan-O'Neil

Merry Christmas to all...

2009-12-24T00:47:00.007-05:00

It's that time of year again, when wholesalers and retailers alike get to lickin their chops, just salivating over the holiday shopping. Me, I haven't picked up my first gift yet and it's Christmas eve. What I WAS doing however, was putting together some tunes that'll put even the biggest Scrooge in the mood. Here's my Merry Christmas mix for 2009, enjoy...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

1. Silver Bells - Diana Ross & The Supremes
2. The Christmas Song - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires -
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Jackson 5
4. Christmas Stylee - J Osbourne
5. Merry Merry Christmas - The Silvertones
6. I'll Be Your Santa - Rufus Thomas
7. Christmas Is Love - James Brown
8. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - The Temptations
9. Merry Christmas Baby - Lou Rawls
10. Jingle Bells - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
11. Gee Wiz It's Christmas - Carla Thomas
12. The Children's Christmas Song - Diana Ross & The Supremes
13. Christmas Bells - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
14. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - The Jackson 5
15. Christmas Song - John Lennon

Hyphenated & Apostrophed

2009-11-22T13:46:00.002-05:00

It's finally happened. With a little help from my friends at FreeIceCream, my first solo project "Hyphenated & Apostrophed" is now available for free download. This project features production from 100dBs, Sir-Real, and DJ Mark 1.

Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics. I like lyrics (in case you couldn't tell).

Check out the single "Knock Knock (prod. 100dBs)

/Knock Knock prod.100dBs.mp3

shitty performance video

2009-11-03T21:32:00.002-05:00

here's a video of me performing "Knock Knock" off my upcoming EP "Hyphenated and Apostrophed". Nothing special, just thought you might enjoy it.

New EP release!!

2009-11-03T20:46:00.005-05:00

holy crap! Ryan-O'Neil is releasing music of his own!?!? Yes it's true, I'm near completion of my EP "Hyphenated and Apostrophed" which will be released by Free Ice Cream via free download on Nov. 12th, which coincidentally is the same date as the Free Ice Cream show at The Bell House.

The Metermaids, Spokinn Movement, Jake Lefco, Kats and Domer and of course The One Hand Bandit wll all be performing. With a $10 cover, you'll get FREE Maker's Mark milkshakes and a Maker's Mark open bar.

Come to get drunk for cheap, stay for the music.

Free Ice Cream Show

2009-10-14T23:24:00.003-04:00

Kats and Domer over at Free Ice Cream are putting together a show at The Bell House on Nov. 12th. More details to follow. In the meantime, check out some videos and tracks I've worked on with them!

ArtCrime

2009-08-13T20:35:00.002-04:00

This Saturday, alongside fellow Theory Events/Drum Attix partner 100dBs, I'll be DJing at 205 Chrystie on...205 Chrystie St. We will be supplying the public with Reggae and Dancehall upstairs while Voidstar and our guest artist Cex keep you dancing downstairs. Guys make sure to RSVP for $5 entry. Ladies, you already know you're free.

le sigh

2009-08-05T23:43:00.003-04:00

Hey folks, I thought I'd use this forum to bitch, moan and whine about the current state of hip hop music. I've always been one to quickly jump to the defense of hip hop whenever someone criticized it. If one said "hip hop is filled with nothing but misogyny and glorification of violence" I would cite more "conscious" rappers like Mos Def or Common. If anyone purported that hip hop was doing more harm than good to the population of young African Americans, I would always defend it saying that, hip hop gives young children a means of expression as well as role models in more successful artists who have "made it out." I still hold all of that to be true, however, artistically, I'm DONE with hip hop.

If it wasn't for the fact that I'm pretty damn good at rapping, I would've quit a long time ago. That also has to do with my inability to write a melody that I'm completely happy with. I can't even listen to hip hop anymore. The artists like Slick Rick and Eminem who used to capture my imagination with their stories, now I barely check for them when browsing through my Itunes. I've recently bought albums from former Beatle Paul McCartney, Indie bands like Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes, and old favorites like Sam Cooke. The most recent rapper whose album I purchased was Mos Def's The Ecstatic. I must say I bought this more out of an obligation to one of my favorite rappers than as a genuine interest in any new music he's creating. Lucky for me Mos Def is the type of rapper that mixes it up enough on his album to keep me interested.

The point that I'm poorly trying to make is, I'm bored with hip hop. The industry is still spitting out rappers who can't...spit. Underground heads think they're WAAAAY better than they really are. And the plain economics of it doesn't make sense either. The majority of hip hop fans are...hip hop artists!!! How are we supposed to eat if we're the only ones buying our own shit!?!? It's just really frustrating, everyone I meet who digs hip hop is a fuckin rapper. Here's some advice from a "real" musician to all my rapper peoples out there...shut the fuck up, go back to school and get a real fuckin job. Hell, I might even take my own advice. Don't be surprised if you see me singing folk music with a bunch of dudes in flannel shirts and hefty beards, I'm sick of this rap shit.

bandit out!

happy (late) holiday

2009-04-20T23:57:00.004-04:00

Today marked the highest of Holidays (pun, most definitely intended), as a treat I've decided to release one of the tracks off my up-coming untitled EP. "smokin" was written a few years back but never saw the light of day, here's its chance to help put a nice end to a glorious day.
Ryan-O'Neil "Smokin' feat. Tense".mp3

Enjoy!

BMore make some noiiiise

2009-04-15T23:41:00.005-04:00

The Drum Attix family is heading south (kinda) to The Hexagon in Baltimore, MD. Headed by the HJIC (Head Jew In Charge) 100dBs, yours truly, Hicoup, DJ Scallywag and a few others will be wrecking shit NYC style. So save up $6, cop a 6 pack or a bottle of Jack (it's BYOB) and be prepared to sweat out that weave.

-bandit

May 1st be there!

2009-04-15T23:23:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since I've graced the stage (a little over 2 months) and I think it's time for my return. I've just landed a spot on the Astronautalus bill for May 1st at Europa. Big shouts to my man brokeMC! For $8 it's guaranteed to be an ass shaking good time.

-bandit

Werewolf Lullabies

2009-02-08T22:09:00.001-05:00

My man Super King Armor is releasing his new album Werewolf Lullabies on Friday the 13th (be scared). Yours Truly will be opening the night with a 30 minute set, that will be filled with head boppin, ass shakin tunes. There's a $10 cover and I will be on at 7pm. There's a rumor that some fine ladies will be joining me on stage for a few numbers.

Hope to see you there.

peace

last minute show

2009-01-04T16:49:00.003-05:00

what's good people? I was just informed that I'll be performing with Kats and Domer tonight January 4th at The Annex at 8pm. Thats 152 Orchard St. in the LES. It's $10 to get in. I hope I see y'all there.

bandido out.

Am I too late for TRL?

2008-12-21T04:16:00.006-05:00

My boys Kats and Domer have been busy with the launch of FreeIceCream. net, the website where you can download a trailer load of free albums and mixtapes featuring their AlmostFameless mixtape series.

I've been keeping myself busy by writing and recording verses for said mixtape. Peep the video we did for "We Got Ya" Kats and Domer feat. Ryan-O'Neil...

I'm Back

2008-11-22T19:18:00.003-05:00

My deepest and most sincere apologies people of Planet Bandit. I realize I've been gone for an entire year with no updates or news on what's going on in the life of the Bandit, but thats about to change. Stay tuned for new music, videos and posts. 100dbs is getting ready to launch his record label DrumAttix. Tense and P. Murray are in the final stages of releasing Tense's debut ep "Don't Be Mad" and yours truly has just started recording songs for his new project. It's been nonstop over the last few months and you'll be the first to know when it's all ready.

I'll be in touch

el bandido

Peace out 2007

2007-12-29T01:48:00.000-05:00

“Rasta don’t work for no CIA”
- “Rat Race” bob Marley

As I searched the isles of Big K looking for a last minute gift for my little cousin, I realized that within a few days, I’d be ushering in a new year (hopefully with a few drinks in hand). With that in mind, let’s reflect on the last 12 months…

First and foremost, THE ALBUM IS DONE!!! I must say that completing The Adventures… with 100dBs has been my most rewarding accomplishment of 2007; the public has received it very well. Reviews and write-ups from okayplayer.com to Scheme Magazine have all been positive. I’m also eternally thankful for all of you who’ve supported this album; you helped to make 2007 a great year for my music career. Keep in touch. Make sure to keep up with me,

2007 was filled with parties and shows in and around NYC. Along with Theory Events, China1 was locked down every month, from the Artcrime series back in the summer to the 80’s Homecoming this past November. Over the past 12 months I was busy performing in shows across the east coast. I was seen at the Knitting Factory, College Park, MD., Fontana’s, Niagara and China1.

I’m looking forward to taking on 2008. I’ll be releasing an EP of b-sides and previously unreleased tracks with Tense from back in the day. Nothing big, just a little something for you to marinate on while I get the next full length ready. Make sure to keep your eye out for me and 100dBs at China1 every last Saturday. I’ve been putting in some time behind the decks at home, you may start seeing me behind the DJ booth at some of our parties.

In the meantime, have a Happy Kwanzaa, and good luck on those resolutions
peace

-el bandito

2007-11-18T19:53:00.000-05:00

I'm slowly getting the hang of managing my own site, so please bear with me.

BIG shouts to IMAGEYENATION.COM, yours truly made the #11 spot on their top 40 list for the week. Big things are slowly happening.

Make sure to catch me and my fellow Theory Events folks at our next party at China1.

I'll be on between 10:30-11:30 but stay for the party and dance to 80's hits all night.

And finally I have for you the link to purchase my album, sorry it took so long.

2007-10-13T22:26:00.000-04:00

My man 100dBs and myself worked ridiculously hard over the last year to bring you our first full length. The response is nothing short of amazing.

"Stylish, rangy, eloquent, O’Neil touches on a number of different topics, over the typical variety of dBs’ diverse beats, and offers a consistent lyrical flair throughout the course of the album." Tom Mantzouranis.

"The Adventures of the One Hand Bandit and the Slum Computer Wizard is an album that's going to get stuck. Stuck in your head, your CD player, your Winamp. 100dBs and Ryan O'Neil have combined to give birth to a robust hip-hop record that puts most of the year’s major hip-hop releases—excluding very few—to shame." Patrick Vail

"Ryan O'Neil's relaxed flow fits like a Saville Row suit." GIT from Urban Species

If you've already bought the album, I thank you for your support. If you haven't, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you. Get on it. You can catch me at China1 along with Professor Meat, 100dBs and the Monster Squad. 'Till then, stay safe.

-Bandit

Shows

2007-09-27T15:42:00.000-04:00

All posts about a show will be labeled as such.

The Man

2007-08-27T14:47:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the home of Ryan O’Neil. I also go by the name the One Hand Bandit. It is my duty to hit you, the people with the hottest, head nodding, jaw & panty dropping hip hop you’ve ever heard. I’m not trying to save hip hop, I’m just tryna make people move, and if the game just so happens to be revived via the Bandit, so be it.

Make sure to stop by to keep updated on my musical progress. Whether it be my album in process with my man 100dBs or shows in the NYC area.