Few bands have become as synonymous with the American reggae scene as veteran California act Rebelution. From countless nationwide tours, to scores of album releases, to festival performances on the biggest stages from Coachella to Austin City Limits, the group has etched itself into the history of the scene in immeasurable ways. Particularly among their accomplishments, the group’s record as the longest tenured headliner in the history of the historic Cali Roots festival showcases their continued ability to connect with their audiences in consistently awe-inspiring ways.
We got a chance to catch up with the band’s drummer, Wes Finley, after their set at this year’s Cali Roots festival to talk about his status as a Monterey Bay hometown hero, the past and future of his band’s prolific relationship with the reggae community, and how he spends his downtime when not on the road.
Grateful Web: Everyone has come to expect your headlining set in Monterey every year. How did Rebelution become Cali Roots' in-house headliner, how do you think Rebelution has grown alongside the festival, and do you ever foresee a year where Rebelution doesn't headline or even play at Cali Roots?
Wes Finley: I believe us being a staple headliner there stems back to working with the promoters, Dan and Amy (Sheehan), for so many years leading up to the onset of Cali Roots. In our early years, we did shows with Dan in Hawaii, Guam, and then Santa Cruz, so we have a long history together. We grew as they grew, and they've always been able to rely on us and our crowds to show up when they needed, regardless of the day of the week. We've been lucky enough to have such a long, successful run, but I do imagine there must inevitably be a time when we begin to sunset as another band or genre begins to sunrise, but that remains to be seen!
GW: Everyone at Cali Roots, from fans to Dan Sheehan, knows by this point that this festival usually falls on your birthday weekend. How has that played into the festival's importance to you, and what Cali Roots birthday traditions have you become accustomed to?
WF: Cali Roots is always the yearly culmination of so many things for me. Yes, it usually falls on or near my birthday, and it is a hometown show, so there's lots of friends to see, host, and organize. It is also one of our first festivals of the year, so as a band, we are rehearsing a lot leading up to it and trying out new set ideas and songs that may get carried on into the year. I am grateful that my friends know by now how much I have going on that weekend and help me out in different ways in addition to celebrating my birthday. I used to throw afterparties at my house, but that has calmed down over the years, especially this year, since we had to play Bottlerock in Napa the next day.
GW: Having grown up down the road from the Monterey Fairgrounds, why do you believe the Monterey Bay area has become one of, if not the biggest, reggae hubs in America?
WF: I would be remiss to not recognize that the Monterey Jazz Festival put the city on the map, along with Hendrix's guitar lighting. Since then, though, reggae has always held a place here, whether it be previous reggae festivals or touring Jamaican artists stopping in at smaller clubs here and in Santa Cruz on the other end of the bay. As reggae then underwent a revival and resurgence, Cali Roots has capitalized on that wave and brought things full circle in a way back to the fairgrounds.
GW: Over the last few years, we've really seen reggae take off in the mainstream tastes. From playing bigger venues, to longer tours, and even Cali Roots staples like yourself, Stick Figure, and Sublime playing well-received shows at Coachella, more eyes than ever seem to look toward the Reggae scene. What do you think has led to this influx in cultural demand for the genre?
WF: It's hard to pinpoint a specific reason for the rise of reggae. It's nearly impossible to predict musical trends, much like fashion. Reggae always deserved to be heard on a larger platform, and Bob Marley obviously championed that. It has a strong identity, vibe, and its own set of tempos that reverberate with certain people. The declined stigma and legal embrace of cannabis culture has also played a hand, I'm sure. In an ever-growing, anxiety-ridden society, people have turned to reggae to relax and perhaps focus on the positive. And for all those reasons, I'm grateful.
GW: Over the years, you've toured relentlessly, spent endless hours in the studio, and given so much of yourself to your work and fans. How do you manage your work/life/love balance and make sure your family and those closest to you get the attention they deserve?
WF: This is often overlooked. The life of a touring musician is a strange one when overlapped with the traditional 9-5 work schedule. We are often met with odd hours, time changes, and periods of intense and demanding work followed by isolation or home life. You learn to appreciate who is there for you, regardless of your rise or fall of success, and prioritize those individuals if you are lucky enough to have them. I also think it's paramount to have a hobby totally unrelated to music, hopefully a physical one, and better yet if it gets you outdoors.
GW: With that said, what's your disc golf handicap these days?
WF: My disc golf game still lies somewhere between intermediate and recreational, but that doesn't stop me from entering tournaments and putting myself out there. The nerves of competitive sport performance, actually, helps with the nerves of live music performance, I believe.
GW: What do you have coming up that you’re excited for?
WF: While we may not currently be touring on the grand scale we once did, look for us to play festivals and isolated shows across the states in addition to a large California tour in October. We should be playing both of the newer songs we released recently.
GW: What's one question you've never been asked in an interview?
WF: Do you have any strange skills or talents? I am an avid word guy and love word games of all sorts, from Scrabble to Wordle!
