The Rebelution band (from left): Eric Rachmany, Rory Carey, Wesley Finch and Marley Williams. - File

MANY JAMAICANS associate the California city of Santa Barbara with a popular soap opera of the same name that aired on local television 20 years ago. But if the Rebelution band has its way, its hometown will be known for more than a show with sensational plots.

The roots-reggae quintet is currently basking in the success of Courage To Grow, its debut album which had a solid run in the Top 10 of Billboard magazine's reggae chart.

In a recent interview with The Gleaner, band members Eric Rachmany and Marley Williams said Courage To Grow's strong performance has been an inspiration.

"It shows that we are not just a California band. We've paid our dues and we're basically looking to spread our music," said Rachmany, who sings and plays the guitar.

Itunes publicity

While it was released on CD in June last year, Courage To Grow's best publicity came from iTunes, which named it Best Reggae Album of 2007. The songs Feeling Alright and Safe and Sound received steady rotation on college radio throughout the Golden State and in Hawaii.

Constant touring with label mates The Expandables also helped the 13-track album. Rebelution recently completed a 43-show tour that took them to 23 states and the Pacific island of Guam.

While most California 'reggae' bands have a distinct punk edge, Williams said Rebelution makes an effort to fuse its influences - which range from Sizzla and Buju Banton to Bob Marley and Don Carlos - with its sound.

"We try and stick to that rootsy feel to bridge the sound between California and Jamaica. We feel one of the ways to reach Jamaicans is to add the sound down there to our own," said Williams, who formed the band in 2004.

Reggae hunting ground

California has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for reggae. In the 1970s, roots giants like Marley and Peter Tosh opened the doors for like-minded Jamaican performers.

Reggae festivals like Reggae On The River are still big attractions, while the club scene remains vibrant.

Home-grown bands like Rancid and Sublime have also done well, racking up millions in album sales.

Rebelution - which also includes drummer Wesley Finch, keyboardist Rory Carey and guitarist/vocalist Matt Velasquez - is scheduled to begin another United States tour on January 14 with State Radio, another American reggae band.

Their new album is earmarked for release next summer.

howard.campbell@gleanerjm.com

Before Sublime and Rancid took the United States West Coast by storm with their punk-based ska, Big Mountain had surfer dudes and babes dancing to their pop-style reggae.

The Los Angeles group hit Billboard magazine's Top 40 in 1994 with Baby, I Love Your Way, a massive hit for British singer Peter Frampton in the 1970s. They quickly made a name for themselves in the US (especially Hawaii) and Europe, where the song made numerous charts.

By the way, Big Mountain's band included guitarist Tony Chin and drummer Carlton 'Santa' Davis, who were members of the successful Soul Syndicate Band of the 1970s.