Reggae outfit Rebelution to ‘bring good vibes’ to Columbus

Madeline Poedtke
Wed, 05 Feb 2014 05:01:38 +0000
Campus, newport music hall, promowest productions, promowestlive, rebelution, reggae

Rebelution is slated to perform at Newport 8 p.m. Feb. 6.
Credit: Courtesy of Rebelution

California-based reggae band Rebelution is set to bring “good vibes” to Central Ohio.

The band, which integrates dub and roots reggae is set to perform at the Newport Music Hall as part of its 2014 “Winter Greens Tour” Thursday, with doors set to open at 8 p.m.

Rebelution formed in 2004 when vocalist/guitarist Eric Rachmany, keyboardist Rory Carey, bassist Marley D. Williams and drummer Wesley Finley met while attending college in Santa Barbara, according to the band’s biography on its website.

Williams said his mother named him after Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley and he grew up loving reggae music.

“I was born into (reggae) and it feels like home to me,” Williams said.

When it comes to touring, Williams said he hopes Rebelution’s music is able to inspire audiences and give them a feeling of unity.

“I think our crowd is really welcoming and that’s a special thing in this time and age,” Williams said.

The 2007 release of Rebelution’s first full-length album “Courage to Grow” caught the attention of Jonathan Dixon, a first-year in logistics management. Dixon said he first learned of Rebelution when he found the band on iTunes and “fell in love with them.”

After moving to Ventura, Calif., from Dayton in 2008, Dixon said the band became more accessible to him.

“Ventura is about 45 minutes away from where (Rebelution) started playing in Isla Vista, Calif., and I started going to their concerts,” Dixon said. “I’ve just been a huge fan. They were the ones that turned me onto reggae in the first place.”

Dixon said he has been to three Rebelution concerts but he still can’t wait to see the band Thursday.

“I go to reggae concerts regularly and (Rebelution), by far, puts on the best live performance and their energy is just incredible,” Dixon said.

Marketing director at PromoWest Productions Marissa Luther said Rebelution is a band worth bringing back to Columbus.

“(Rebelution) does pretty well with their crowd and that’s why we like to bring them back when they are touring,” Luther said.

Since “Courage to Grow,” Rebelution has released two studio albums, “Bright Side of Life” in 2009 and “Peace of Mind” in 2012. Both albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Reggae Album chart, according to Billboard’s website.

Williams said the band recently finished recording its fourth studio album and is hoping to release it by summer.

“I think on our next album, you’re really going to see a continuation of ‘Peace of Mind’ where we’re still trying to grow and offer songs that maybe nobody thought we’d come up with,” Williams said.

Cris Cab is set to open the show in Columbus. General admission tickets are available for $20 through Ticketmaster. Newport Music Hall is located at 1722 N. High St.