Summer Preview – Top 5 Cali Reggae Bands

As we’re in the heart of winter now, perhaps already feeling the effects of seasonal depression and cabin fever, it seems appropriate to talk about the sounds of summer and what we can look forward to listening to when the weather eventually changes. Few things represent summer better than reggae and roots rock music. So, here are some of the top bands you should be listening to, and why.

Iration is the perfect reggae/rock group. They’ve put out five albums since 2006, and a few EPs on top of it, including songs like Time Bomb, Falling, Wait and See, and Summer Nights.

Originally from Hawaii, Iration formed in Santa Barbara around 2004, under the lead vocalist and guitarist, Micah Peuschel. Their blend of reggae and rock music has earned them a spot on the top list of reggae artists out today. The albums Automatic (2013), and Hotting Up (2015) peaked at number 1 on the U.S. Reggae chart.

This band is the brainchild of singer and songwriter Scott Woodruff, and started in 2006. Woodruff wrote, produced, and recorded 4 albums from 2006 to 2012. After the fourth album, Burial Ground¸ was released, Woodruff put together a live band for Stick Figure.

They have a sound like no other group. Woodruff’s music is a rich and smooth soundscape that is unique to the reggae scene. Unlike most other groups, the entirety of the music radiates from Woodruff’s songwriting and lyrical talent. He writes the music, performs the music, sings, and even has a dog, Cocoa, that often joins the band on stage and tours with Woodruff.

Last year, Stick Figure released Set In Stone, which has ranked higher on more charts than any previous album, peaking at number 1 on the Reggae chart. Woodruff collaborated with Slightly Stoopid, Collie Buddz, and Eric Rachmany of Rebelution on the album.

Led by the silky voice of Eric Rachmany, and formerly, Matt Velasquez, Rebelution is one of the smoothest reggae bands out there. Their use of a horn section gives the music a bright, traditional sound, and Rachmany’s lyrics are emotional and genuine.

Rebelution has released six albums since 2007, plus one live album and three EPs. They formed in Isla Vista in 2004, and in the past twelve years have made their mark on the reggae scene with superb songwriting and complex instrumentals.

Similar to Sublime, the Dirty Heads have mastered reggae fusion and the relaxing sounds of California roots rock. Dirty J and Duddy B lead the band’s vocals, often incorporating some very chill rapping. They fuse hip-hop beats with the sound of roots rock quite often, and feature artists like Matisyahu, Kymani Marley, and Tech N9ne.

The Dirty Heads define Cali reggae, and no one makes music as unconquerable as they do. On warm summer days, whether it be on the beach, in the car, or even on the couch, the Dirty Heads should be the first band that comes to mind. Life needs a soundtrack, and the Heads cannot be a more perfect choice.

Before there was the Dirty Heads, and before there was any 2000s Cali group, there was Slightly Stoopid. They describe their sound as a blend of “folk, rock, reggae, and blues, with hip-hop, funk, metal, and punkSlightly Stoopid is like Sublime 2.0. In fact, Bradley Nowell of Sublime discovered the band around the time they formed, and signed them to his label, Skunk Records. The song “Prophet” from their debut album features Nowell.

The band has put out eight albums from 1995 to 2015, plus one EP and four live albums. When they began in ’95, the band members were still in high school. Their prominence in the reggae scene is matched only by groups like Sublime. Slightly Stoopid has been the absolute standard for reggae fusion in the late 90s and 2000s.

Korea is a weird place, but we still love it. Koreans are notorious for caring about tradition A LOT and having too many social rules or taboos. One of these taboos is having a tattoo. These traditions have been around for a long time, but the newer generation is slowly beginning to evolve beyond them. Korean Idols—pop stars and celebrities in Korea—are among the biggest rebels of these traditions. Here’s a list of our favorite tattoo-donning rebels.

Japan Times

1. Jung Dae-hyun, AKA Daehyun. Daehyun is one of the most beloved K-Pop singers in Korea. He is best known as a member of group, B.A.P. (Best Absolute Perfect). Below is a picture of his “HOLD” tattoo in all-caps on his right wrist. No one knows exactly what it means—he doesn’t talk about it and likes to keep it secret—but many have speculated it’s a reminder for which hand he should hold his mic.

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2. Lee Chan-hee, AKA Chunji. This 23-year-old pop singer is a member of TEEN TOP. Chunji tries to keep tattoo hidden at all times, to such a point where some fans don’t even know he has one. If you can’t see it, the tattoo say “This, too, shall pass away” in cursive on his right shoulder. The meaning behind the tattoo is probably related to the old English adage “This too shall pass”.

Koreaboo

3. Ahn Jae-Hyo, AKA Jaehyo. Jaehyo is a vocalist for the Korean boy group Block B. Jaehyo considers himself a wild child, and has a tattoo to prove it. The tattoo is on his left wrist. It has the letters “KR,” which most have guessed to mean “Korean Ramen”—which he loves to eat—or possibly even the name of an old girlfriend. When asked about the tattoo, Jaehyo shoos the question away, stating he “doesn’t stand for anything”.

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4. Lee Sanghyuk, AKA Dawon. Dawon is a member of the Korean boy group SF9 (Sensational Feeling 9). His tattoo is on the left side of his chest. It’s never been fully revealed—he tries to keep it secret, but it’s been seen when he wears see-through shirts. The only visible letters are “Graz” in a gangster font. Most people believe it simply says “Grazie”.

Koreaboo

Keep reading for more K-Idol tattoos

Having a BFF can be a rare thing nowadays. People just don’t tend to stick around as much as they used to and relationships fail and begin all too quickly. So when you meet “the one” it’s pretty special.

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For example, I am very lucky, I met my BFF back in my teens and we hit it off so well we have managed to stay together all these years. It’s been nearly a decade and we are still going strong.

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Just like couples get tattoos to represent their relationship, BFF’s can now take their love for each other to the next level and do the same. But what kind of tat to get?

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Your best friend should be forever, and well, so is a tattoo. So before you decide anything, make sure this person is going to be around for most of your life… Or that you can at least cover up the design should it all go downhill.

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Just to be super safe, maybe you should consider getting tiny design tattoos. Easy to cover up, fun to have, and yet meaningful. BFF tattoos are sometimes done in a moment of spontaneity. That’s half the fun!

Pixabay

It’s going to make for an awesome memory and if you have a good artist- you also get an awesome tattoo. So we picked out some tiny adorable BFF tattoos that you can get with little to pain and, even better, little cost!

In the world of all-female music groups, not many are as empowered as Girls’ Generation. Girls’ Generation is a South Korean girl group formed in 2007 by a company called S.M. entertainment. In the years since their formation, GG has gained acclaim in both Asia and around the world for its upbeat sound and playful lyricism.

Soompi

The group is comprised of Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun. While North American readers might not know who any of these people are, each has a solid solo career in her own right. Like any music conglomerate, some members of GG are more popular than others; usually people first recognize Taeyeon when they see pictures of the group.

Wikipedia

Kim Tae-Yon has seen success in recording a variety of songs for various television dramas and mmovies. She peaked at number two on the South Korean Gaon Album Chart with her first EP, entitled I. One single from the album- the title track- has sold over a million copies digitally. She then went on to release Why in 2016. She’s also won awards including Best Female Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards and was ranked as the most popular idol of 2016 by Gallup Korea.

Wikipedia

While K-Pop is a huge genre, Taeyeon has managed to carve out her own success with her immensely powerful voice, earning her the title of best K-pop vocalist by officials in Korea’s music industry back in October of 2015. She released her first studio album My Voice in February of 2017 and hopes to find success as she tours Asia in her tour called “Persona”.

Wikipedia

But before all that, back in 2007, GG was tearing up Asia’s popular music charts with their self-titled debut. They really came into their own league of popularity when the single “Gee” was released. This song held the elusive top spot on the Korean Broadcasting System’s Music Bank charts for nine weeks in a row.

Wikipedia

Keep reading as we take a deeper look at the immense success of Girls’ Generation.

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