SHREDnews

By: Steph Mirsky

As rock begins to take its proper place on the airwaves, it is important that fans do not let the bands of today become similar to the one-hit-wonders of the hip-hop and rap scene of yesterday.  Embracing other subgenres aside from power pop and alternative rock will allow the genre to gain market share and maintain its position in the mainstream.  One of these under-recognized subgenres is reggae-rock and one of its bands is Rebelution.

Rebelution was originally formed in Santa Barbara, CA during 2004 when vocalists and guitarists Eric Rachmany and Matt Velasquez, keyboardist Rory Carey, drummer Wesley Finley, and bassist Marley D. William came together.  This is a band that understands the value of hard work and staying positive: they built their own momentum locally, self-released their first EP, and kept moving forward when vocalist and guitarist Velasquez left the band shortly after the release of Rebelution’s debut full-length album in 2007.

Rebelution is not just another reggae band that sings about an alternative lifestyle and the perks of kicking back for the majority of life.  Instead, this group focuses their lyrics in an optimistic and inspiring manner that is partnered with energetic, yet carefree music.  The previously mentioned 2007 full-length, Courage To Grow, launched Rebelution to the top of the reggae scene and onto the radio waves.  The album was selected as iTunes Editor’s Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007, proving the band’s level of musical maturity.  It is clear that Rebelution’s socially conscious lyrics and original musicianship has translated reggae into a sound that can be appreciated by any music fan.

Rebelution continued their success and genre-defying sound with their sophomore release Bright Side of Life, which took the number one spot on iTunes in the reggae music genre, and the number three spot for top albums downloaded in the United States in all genres of music.  This kind of success is not common for bands of this genre, but Rebelution has been able to craft a style that translates to anyone and everyone.  It would seem that they have truly created a musical revolution with their music and provided any music lover the opportunity to look on the brighter side of life.

Rebelution is headlining a national tour starting January 13^th with SOJA and Zion-I.  So take a brake from the neon, deep-Vs, and moshing, and go check out a band that will surely have you wanting to hang up your converse for some flip-flops and a long-board.  Listen to the carefree music of Rebelution and join their musical revolution.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rebelution

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