“They would say, ‘We’re just trying to get to Jannus. We’re just trying to get there,’” recalled Eric Rachmany. “‘That’s going to be the best show, the best venue, the best crowd.’”
As lead vocalist, guitarist and lyricist of alt-reggae act Rebelution, Rachmany has been around the block when it comes to playing big shows. The group headlines reggae festivals around the country (including St. Pete’s Reggae Rise Up) and hosts annual shows at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado. Still, the laid-back 35-year-old remembers being most hyped about visiting Jannus Live during one of the group’s first cross-country tours.
“[The Expendables] took us on our very first tour and that was the stop. I remember that show really well, and St. Pete-Tampa has always been really kind to Rebelution since.”
Much like those in this area, fans across the country have supported and bonded with the uplifting, wholesome Rebelution catalog. The group’s six studio albums — beginning with 2007’s Courage to Grow through last year’s Free Rein — make for one of the most successful chart-performing reggae-rock discographies of all time, largely due to fans’ connections with the band’s unrelenting narrative of positivity and encouragement.
So, it only seems fitting that the beloved act is led by someone just as endearing, and a conversation with Rachmany reveals he’s just the man for the job.
“For me, I feel like my duty is just to spread love and positivity through the music,” said Rachmany, who caught up with CL earlier this month. “I don't consider myself a political leader, but if people listen a bit more, come to the shows, I think they’ll be a little more understanding. It’s important for me to get that message out.”
Since the group formed in 2004, Rachmany, Rory Carey (keys), Marley Williams (bass), and Wesley Finley (drums) have toured behind the belief that their music and shows have the ability to uplift diehard fans and newcomers alike. While Rebelution flaunts its capacity to navigate multiple genres, Rachmany cites his reggae roots as the source of the band’s enlightened message and commentary.
“Reggae music was talking about things I had never heard before,” said the Cali native. “It was talking about eating well, love, and consciousness. In turn, when I got into a band, I wanted to do the same thing. I realized that if I have a voice… if I have a choice to talk about things, I’m going to make it positive. Try to encourage people, motivate people, inspire them.”
This resolve — along with a relentless touring schedule over the last decade-plus — has made Rebelution a fan favorite around the country, particularly in reggae-friendly Tampa Bay.
The story continues when Rebelution returns on August 18, this time headlining its very own show at the 11-acre Vinoy Park. While the band has been booked at State Theatre and more prominently at Jannus Live in the past, its unique relationship with the city and Jannus called for bigger place to house its following.
“We feel like the Rebelution fans are a family,” Rachmany said. “So we needed a bigger place to let them in.”
Another possible factor behind the group’s continued success is that wholesome message being cast against the daily negativity of TV news and Trump-led politics of today. While Rachmany says that Rebelution isn’t a “political or social commentary band,” he does recognize that the group’s uplifting message is important now more than ever.
“A lot of the songs we wrote when this band first got started can really be applied to today. Particularly for this country, I think a lot of us are divided. I think people are losing track of the beauty of culture and diversity.”
The band’s embrace of culture, religion, and race in its lyrics has provided listeners respite from the noise of division for years, particularly in its live show. While the group now boasts six studio albums, the band lacks one hit song that fans yearn for. This, Rachmany said, allows the group to craft a personal journey for its audience each night through shapeshifting setlists and vibes.
“Because Rebelution doesn’t stick to one genre of music, it allows us to create a story throughout the set,” Rachmany explained. “When you put it all together, people really get attached to the night and it’s something they remember, maybe for life. It’s a powerful thing. It makes my job really worth it. I get to see smiling faces and hear people sing back to me. It never gets old because of that interaction. It’s the feeling and the energy that I get from them.”
While he admits the band is excited that it’s outgrowing its former, smaller digs, the message and intent, Rachmany says, will remain the same.
“I just want people to leave the shows and be encouraged. I think depression is a real thing. We see it with our friends, our family and we see it in the news. You never know what a comment can do to somebody. You never know what one show, one song can do. It’s amazing to see how much love we get from people. It makes what we do bigger than we think it is. I just hope people leave the show staying encouraged, positive and happy. It’s our job.”
Rebelution w/Collie Buddz/Protoje/more. Sun. Aug 18, 5 p.m. $35. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. jannuslive.com.
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This article appears in Aug 15-22, 2019.