With a name that could not possibly be further opposed to the general perception of reggae - it’s about as easy to imagine Bob Marley becoming irate about something as it is to picture the members of Slipknot sitting down for afternoon tea and a nice slice of cake - Iration set out to give the genre a much-needed shot in the arm in 2004, when they began playing shows in the small college town of Isla Vista. The rock edge they brought to their music commanded the attention of locals, and that propelled them to national attention within the genre when their debut full-length, ‘No Time for Rest’, topped the Billboard Reggae Charts in 2007. They opened for Pepper on tour the following year, their first nation jaunt within the U.S.
They followed up their debut with records including 2010’s ‘Time Bomb’ and 2013’s ‘Automatic’, although the latter was not released before the departure of co-lead vocalist Kai Rediske, who worked on the album. A vague statement on the band’s website, suggesting that he departed to “pursue other interests”, has failed to quell speculation that tension between Rediske and the band’s other singer, Micah Pueschel, led to the split.
Tribal Seeds was formed by two brothers, Steven Rene Jacobo (vocals, guitar) and Tony-Ray Jacobo (producer, keyboard, vocals) and joined by Carlos Verdugo (drums), Victor Navarro (bass), E.N Young (keyboards, vocals) and Ryan Gonzo (guitar,vocals). Since forming, they have gained many fans through their refreshing take on rock influenced reggae, focusing more on roots and rocksteady influences to inform their sound, looking back to artists like Black Uhuru, The Congos, Peter Tosh and the Abyssnians.
The band released their self-titled debut album in 2008, named 'Best Of' in an iTunes list of Reggae releases that year. They also received a local award for 'Best World Music' at the San Diego Music Awards. Their second record, "Harvest" (2009) also was named 'Best Of' by iTunes, achieving chart success by reaching number five in the Billboard Reggae Charts.
After several successful tours, the band returned to the studio to record the EP, "Soundwaves" which went to number two on the Billboard Reggae Charts.The band have toured extensively throughout their career, performing across the United States as well as in Mexico and Aruba. They have supported artists including The Wailers, Collie Buddz, Gregory Issacs, Rebelution and a whole host of others.
Their eagerly awaited fourth album came out in 2014, titled "Representing," debuting at number one on the Billboard Reggae Charts and number 114 on the Billboard 200. The album solidified their place in the world of contemporary reggae, as one of the top bands in the scene.
Living on the coasts of California, and having influences like Sublime, its not surprise that Joseph Dickens, Dam Taylor, Cayson Peterson, Micah Pueschel and Joseph King started a reggae band called Iration to express their creativity. The quintuplet started their band while living in sunny Santa Barbara, California, where the beach life is easy. Playing a lot of college venues, they gained a huge underground following of people who would travel a pretty far distance to see them live; usually an act that is never regretted.
Their shows are the epitome of California living. Tons of people flock to their shows, usually dressed in California hobo chic. They all take the stage at once, pick up their instruments and slowly start to play. There is a buildup of sounds, chord progressions that lead into the laidback sounds that is reggae, or better yet, reggae rock. With their emblem in the background, they jam for an hour-long set, met with a lot of energy that the crowd is eating up. You can’t fight the head bob and sway that takes over you by the sounds of their music. The fusion of guitar solos and laidback mentality is an absolute California staple.
Ellinoinsta
Reggae band Tribal Seeds, who hail from San Diego, take to the stage in this huge room with its cool atmosphere. The haze hangs over the whole venue as they walk out on stage. “619” is the opening song from these Reggae giants. The down tempo Reggae beat is enough to get this audience on their feet with their hands in the air for the duration of this huge one hour and twenty minutes performance. There are a fair few virtuosic moments throughout this band with the singer, Steven Jacobo playing his heart out on the electric guitar in an impressive guitar solo, making a change from playing on all the off beats. One of the things that impresses me is the keyboard player, E.N. Young, who isn’t just playing the keys like a piano or Rhodes, he adds applicable effects here and there, with blankets of synthesizers washing over the sound, adding to this Reggae party atmosphere.
Lannistaar
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