Rebelution is a roots reggae band that began life in the same small California town as fellow reggae band, Iration. The band’s original members, Eric Rachmany (vocals/guitar), Matt Velasquez (vocals/guitar), Rory Carey (keyboard) Wesley Finley (drums) and Marley D Williams (bass) met while they were students in the beachside town of Isla Vista in Santa Barbara in 2004.
Over the course of their first year as a band, they played numerous shows around the local area, gaining much popularity and went on to release their debut album, Courage to Grow, in 2007. This piece of work was awarded much acclaim, thanks to its socially aware lyrics and melodic backdrop. One of the singles from the album, Safe and Sound, was played on major radio stations on a regular basis, while the album itself won the iTunes Editor’s Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007 as well as hitting number 4 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart.
In 2009, the band’s second album was released, called the Bright Side of Life. As well as hitting the top spot on iTunes in the reggae music genre, it also reached no. 1 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart. This album was the first to be released by the band’s own record label, 87 Music, which was so called as the founding members lived together in a house at 6587 Del Playa Drive while at college in Santa Barbara. The band has since gone on to release more albums under this record label, including the popular Peace of Mind and Count Me In.
Now comprised of Eric Rachmany, Rory Carey, Wesley Finley, Marley D Williams and Khris Royal, Rebelution plays to fans all over the world and their latest tour for the Count Me In Album featured support acts including fellow Santa Barbara band Iration.
