Rebelution is: Eric Rachmany - Vocals
/ Guitar
Rory Carey - Keyboards
Marley D. Williams - Bass
Wesley Finley - Drums
Hailing from Santa Barbara, California,
Rebelution has developed into the front runner
for grassroots, independent and touring driven
music groups representing the Cali-Reggae scene.
Originally formed in 2004, members Eric Rachmany
(vocals / guitar,) Rory Carey (keyboards,)
Wesley Finley (drums,) and Marley D. Williams
(bass) met in college, while residing in Isla
Vista, a popular beachside community in Santa
Barbara. It was there that the seeds to
Rebelution’s future would be planted-- and would
instill their kick back, “worry free” vibes,
catchy refrain, and optimistic, inspiring, and
engaging music that would leave their listeners
with the sense that they have the power to make
this world a better place.
Throughout 2004-05, Rebelution began to build
momentum through consistently playing local
shows and by independently releasing an EP.
Before they knew it, they were one of the
biggest drawing bands, not just in the reggae
genre, but in the entire area. “It definitely
went to the next level when we literally had
thousands of people watching us perform in Isla
Vista on Friday nights,” shares Rachmany. The
band’s upbeat, highly danceable grooves were
charting a direct course for bigger and better
things.
Rebelution released their first full-length
album “Courage to Grow” in June 2007, which
would become the breakthrough album for the
band. The album was praised for its crafty
melodies, socially-conscious lyrics, and savvy
musicianship. Rebelution quickly became known
for sticking strongly to the roots of vintage
reggae sound, all while appealing not only to
reggae listeners, but also to music fans of all
genres.
“Courage to Grow” went on to garner mass
downloads and radio play on monster stations
such as San Francisco’s Live 105 where their
single “Safe and Sound” was played on heavy
rotation, with spins on San Diego’s 91X, and Los
Angels’ KROQ. The album hit an all time high
when it was selected as iTunes Editor’s Choice
for Best Reggae Album of 2007. In addition,
“Courage to Grow” has been in the top 10 iTunes
Reggae album sales since its release two years
ago. It remained in the Billboard Top Reggae
Album Chart for 36 weeks, and peaked at 4.
Now, two years since their last album,
Rebelution is ready to give their fans their
long-awaited, sophomore full-length album
“Bright Side of Life” on August 4, 2009.
Recorded in their home town of Santa Barbara at
Santa Barbara Sound Design, entering the same
studio the day after Depeche Mode completed
their sessions for Sounds Of The Universe.
“Bright Side of Life” features 12 new signature
tracks blending the band’s cohesive mix of
reggae, rock, and hip-hop influences in a
calliope awash of front man Eric Rachmany’s
Santana-esque guitar flurries, Marley D.
Williams’ solid and attacking bass lines, the
psychedelic and tasteful piano, keyboard and
Hammond b-3 stylist of Rory Carey, and the jazz
rock fusion of Wesley Finley’s finesse drumming
and percussion.
Of the new album, Rebelution shares, “After the
positive response from fans and critics for
‘Courage to Grow’ and touring in support of it
for the last few years, we are glad to finally
reveal our new material to the fans who have
waited so patiently. We’ve played many of the
new songs live, but the recorded versions will
have that ‘studio magic’ from all the time we’ve
put into them.” The band notes that their second
album will show their growth in maturity
musically, with a more polished sound with
flares of new styles that fans and future fans
have yet to hear. “Bright Side of Life” also has
an overall theme of encouragement. The band
shares, “Though it was important for all of us
in the band to be motivated to continue with
what we do best, which is making music, we feel
people in the world could use some encouragement
in this time to stay motivated as well, which is
what we drew a lot of inspiration for this
album.”
The release of “Bright Side of Life” marks the
first release under Rebelution’s newly founded
record label 87 Music, in association with
Controlled Substance Sound Labs, the California
based music collective, which is also home to
artists Slightly Stoopid and Pepper, and their
respective artist imprints.
