Rebelution

“See, we can still sit in a distant haze and watch rain clouds pour thoughts of greatness and help our troubles sail far away/Well, it's a struggle — everyday we're stressing, but what's a life without dedication?/I'm trying to pick up the soul's intention to soak in music relaxation.” — taken from "Feeling Alright."

The visual and emotional picture painted by the preceding words aptly describes the Rebelution experience. The Santa Barbara-based reggae quartet is on a mission to spread positivity, unity and awareness to any and all who will listen, and, lately, it seems as if the number of interested parties may never stop growing. On Tuesday, August 5th,Chico will get its opportunity to jump on the bandwagon of love, as these rhythmic rockers are bringing their wave of momentum to the Senator Theatre.

Originally formed in 2004, the group consists of vocalist/guitarist Eric Rachmany, keyboardist Rory Carey, bassist Marley D. Williams and drummer Wesley Finley. It was their mutual attendance of music classes at Santa Barbara City College that initially brought them together, and it was in this environment that the seeds of their successful future were planted. While residing in nearby Isla Vista (where the majority of the college population lives), the group began to build serious momentum through consistent gigging and the release of a self-titled EP. Before they knew it, they were one of the biggest draws in the area — and not just in the reggae genre.

"It definitely went to the next level when we, literally, had thousands of people watching us perform in Isla Vista on Friday nights," explained Rachmany in an e-mail conversation with Synthesis. The band’s upbeat, highly danceable grooves were charting a direct course for bigger and better things.

It was with the release of their first full-length album in June of '07, Courage To Grow, that the group's major breakthrough would be made. Not only did the record garner mass downloads and radio play on monster stations like San Diego's 91X, Los Angeles' KROQ and San Francisco's Live 105, but it was also selected as iTunes Editor's Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007. Not too bad for a new, relatively unknown band — especially considering that both Stephen and Damien Marley have been at the top of their game in recent years (and God knows those Marley's are hard to trump).

The album's success has also helped to land the group shows with such heavyweights as Barrington Levy, Israel Vibration, Don Carlos, Eek-A-Mouse, Pepper, Talib Kweli, E-40 and The Pharcyde. That's some pretty damn good company.

For those in the know, it's not too hard to imagine, because Courage To Grow is an excellent album complete with crafty melodies, socially conscious lyrics and savvy musicianship. Whereas other SoCal reggae-infused groups such as Sublime and the Long Beach Dub All-Stars tend to be rock- or punk-based, Rebelution sticks much more strongly to a vintage "roots" reggae sound.

The album's opening track, "Safe and Sound," wastes no time setting a worry-free mood, with it's kicked-back vibe and catchy refrain, “When we comedown, we'll be dreaming safe and sound.” Later on the album, environmentalism and marijuana advocacy are tastefully intertwined on "Green To Black.” Rachmany has a special touch for taking rather simplistic language and making rather profound statements with it. Here he proclaims, “Much respect to all the people thinking green, not just the color but the message in between.”

But as far as serious messages go, few tracks hit harder than "R Way" — a seven-minute opus of political dissatisfaction where Rachmany speaks of our deceased forefathers, and what they must be thinking as they look down from above onto our lie-riddled society. Few bands can walk the middle road between politics and parties, and even fewer as well as Rebelution.

Perhaps that's what makes the live-show experience such a great one for their fans. Not only can they dance the night away, but they can also leave with a little food for thought — and it's not presented to them in a hopeless depressing way. The music is optimistic, inspiring and engaging, leaving you with the sense that we do have the power to make this world a better place, and we have to do it together. As Rachmany explains, "I think everybody who really feels our music also feels like they are part of a community, and that is something really special to us."

Can four young dudes playing reggae music really make a difference in the world? Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, Rebelution's giving us all they got, and they're doing it with fat smiles on their faces.

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