Rebelution returns to Bend

Published 4:17 pm Friday, April 11, 2014

The last time Rebelution released an album — 2012’s “Peace of Mind” — the California reggae band went big, offering a three-disc set: One disc featured the album proper, one was an acoustic version of the whole record, and one a dub remix by renowned reggae producer Michael Goldwasser.

You can hear all three versions in their entirety at www.rebelution.bandcamp.com, by the way.

Understandably, Rebelution rode “Peace of Mind” for a while, touring the heck out of the album for months on end, including a show in Bend almost exactly a year ago. But now, we’re two-plus years from the release of that record, and it’s time for something new.

Rebelution’s new album, “Count Me In,” is scheduled to come out June 10, and the band has made a teaser track called “De-Stress” available for free download on its website. In just under four minutes, the song captures what makes Rebelution attractive: breezy reggae grooves, vibrant horns, vintage-sounding organ parts, smooth pop melodies and a cool vibe.

Add it all up and you may have a clearer picture of why this independent band of dudes who met in a student village near University of California-Santa Barbara is now selling out the Hollywood Palladium, headlining a reggae festival at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, playing Lollapalooza and filling up Bend’s cavernous Midtown Ballroom.

Rebelution, with Common Kings; 9 p.m. Thursday, doors open 8 p.m.; $22.50 plus fees in advance (ticket outlets listed at the website below), $25 at the door; Midtown Ballroom, 51 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend; www.randompresents.com.

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