Throughout 2004–2005, Rebelution began to build momentum through consistently playing local shows and by independently releasing an EP. All four current members graduated from UC Santa Barbara, getting degrees in religious studies (Rachmany), anthropology (Finley), film studies (Williams), and business economics (Carey).[4]
Rebelution released their first full-length album Courage to Grow on June 8, 2007, which would become the breakthrough album for the band. The album was praised for its crafty melodies, socially conscious lyrics, and savvy musicianship. Courage to Grow went on to garner mass downloads and radio play on 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 Angeles's KROQ. The album was selected as iTunes Editor's Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007. In addition, Courage to Grow peaked at #4 on the BillboardTop Reggae Albums chart.[6] However, Velasquez, one of the two vocalists, left after the release of Courage to Grow due to him growing tired from the rigorous touring lifestyle. This left Rebelution as a four-member band.[5][7]
Bright Side of Life (2008–2010)
Two years after their first album, Rebelution released their second full-length album, Bright Side of Life on August 4, 2009. Bright Side of Life was officially released and dominated the iTunes charts, reaching the #1 spot on iTunes in the Reggae music genre, and the #3 spot for Top Albums Downloaded in the United States in all genres of music. The album also reached #1 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart and #54 on Billboard's Top 200.[6]
The release of Bright Side of Life marks the first release under Rebelution's newly founded record label "87 Music" (named after their address while attending college at UCSB: 6587 Del Playa Drive.
The band played at the 2009 Harmony Festival, and also at the Rothbury Music Festival in the Summer of 2009.
On January 10, 2012, Rebelution released their third studio album, Peace Of Mind, through their own label 87 Music. Peace of Mind: Acoustic features all twelve original album tracks stripped-down acoustic as well as Peace of Mind: Dub remixed by Easy Star's Michael Goldwasser (Dub Side of The Moon, Radiodread, Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band). The album debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200 charts, #1 Independent and #1 Reggae Albums, and also the #4 iTunes album overall,[8] selling 16,000 copies its first week, despite giving away half the album free to their fans over the six weeks prior to release.
Rebelution perform at Ovation Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on June 1, 2024.
In September 2014, the band performed as a headlining act at California Roots and The Carolina Sessions Festival, as well as The Reggae Rise Up Festival in Tampa, Florida, which has quickly become one of the largest and respected Reggae festivals in the country.
In December 2014, Count Me In was named as the best-selling reggae album of the year by Billboard.[9] An acoustic version of the album was released in 2015 and again topped the Billboard Reggae chart.[10]
Falling Into Place (2016–2017)
On June 3, 2016, the band released their fifth studio album Falling Into Place as a joint venture with Easy Star Records. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, and remained on the chart for more than 60 weeks. It also was #32 on Billboard's Top 200.[11]
Free Rein (2018–2019)
On June 15, 2018, the band released their sixth studio album Free Rein which included collaborations with acclaimed Jamaican producers Don Corleon and Winta James. Free Rein, and their 2019 Vinyl Box Set both reached #1 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart. Free Rein also made it to #41 on Billboard's Top 200 chart.[12]
The Dub Collection (2020)
Instead of creating a dub version of Free Rein, Rachmany wanted to reward fans by releasing a whole new dub album. On July 17, 2020, Rebelution released The Dub Collection which was mixed by the band's current lead touring guitarist Kyle Ahern who previously won their "Jam With The Band" contest. The album features dub music versions of Rebelution's early material. It includes three "fan-favorite" songs from each of their studio albums.[13] The album reached #8 on the Billboard Top Reggae Album charts.
In The Moment (2021–present)
Rebelution released their seventh studio album In The Moment on June 18, 2021 through 87 Music and Easy Star Records. The album includes 15 tracks (with an acoustic version of one of their songs, "To Be Younger"). It features guest appearances by Jamaican reggae artists Keznamdi, Kabaka Pyramid, and Busy Signal, American soul singer Durand Jones, and The Indications. The album was produced and coordinated by their own touring guitarist Kyle Ahern.[14]In The Moment debuted at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and #36 on Independent Albums chart. It also debuted at #22 on Billboard's Current Albums Sales chart, and #35 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart.[15]
On May 20, 2022, Rebelution released their second live album, titled Live in St. Augustine, which was recorded during sold-out 2021 live performance of their 23-song set at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St. Augustine, Florida[16]
Eric Rachmany and Kyle Ahern perform Honeypot as part of a Rebelution show at Ovation Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on June 1, 2024.
On May 12, 2023, Rebelution digitally released their third acoustic album titled, Reflections, which they made available on all streaming platforms.[17] It features 10 acoustic tracks and video sessions that were filmed and recorded at Santa Barbara Sound Design and mixed by Kyle Ahern.[18]
Other projects
Rebelution worked with Florida-based breweries Rock Brothers Brewing and Cigar City Brewing to create Rebelution IPA in Summer 2016.[2][19][20]
In 2018, the band partnered with Lost Abby & The Hop Concept to create "Take On Anything" IPA, which is available in stores across California and online.[21]
In addition, Rebelution teamed up with FlavRx to release all-natural cannabis oil cartridges in two strains – Sour Tsunami Sativa and Cali-O Indica, as well as a customized oil battery pen and herb vaporizer. These products are available in select dispensaries in California which carry Flavrx products, with distribution growing to other legal states shortly. The band will be donating a portion of all proceeds towards Cannabis related medical research and legalization organizations.
Awards and honors
After its debut album was one of the most downloaded reggae albums on iTunes, Rebelution's Courage to Grow was named the iTunes Editors Choice: Best Reggae Album 2007.[22]
Rebelution received their first Grammy nomination in 2017 when their album Falling Into Place was nominated for the "Best Reggae Album" award.
In December 2021, Rebelution was nominated for the fans-choice "2021 Album of the Year" award by Surf Roots TV & Radio for their album In The Moment. Voting was determined by Facebook, Instagram and Twitter users. This was the band's first time being nominated with the reggae rock streaming TV channel on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku.[23]
