Iration

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Iration
Iration performing in Eugene, Oregon on February 21, 2016.
Background information
Origin	Santa Barbara, California, United States
Genres	Reggae, dub, reggae rock, pop[1]
Years active	2004–present
Labels	3 Prong
Associated acts	Pepper Rebelution Slightly Stoopid Stick Figure Tribal Seeds
Website	http://irationmusic.com
Members	Micah Pueschel Adam Taylor Joseph Dickens Cayson Peterson Micah Brown Drake Peterson
Past members	Kai Rediske Joseph King Catlin Peterson Jason Petruso

Iration is a reggae/pop group from Santa Barbara, California. All members originally hail from Hawaii. They play a mix of reggae, dub, pop and rock. The group is one of the leading bands in the genre of .^[2]

History[]

Formation and New Roots EP (2006)[]

Iration began in Isla Vista, an unincorporated community connected to UC Santa Barbara, playing reggae covers in college towns such as Cal Poly SLO, Chico State, and UC Davis. They recorded an EP, New Roots, in 2006, and built a reputation for their live performance, according to the Santa Barbara Independent: "There's something to be said for any band that can capture the undivided attention of a crowd full of drunken Isla Vistans, especially when there are kegs to be tapped and cops to avoid. But roots reggae rockers Iration manage to 'do it' on a regular basis."^[3]

No Time To Rest album (2007)[]

In 2007, they recorded and released their first full-length album, No Time for Rest, which topped the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart,^[4] and a single, "Cookie Jar", reached number one in Hawaii on 93.9 DaBeat and was featured on Fuel TV’s Triple Crown of Surfing recap.^{[citation needed]}

Sample This EP (2008)[]

In 2008, Iration embarked on their first national tour, opening for Pepper.

On October 3, 2008, Iration released their second EP, Sample This, which debuted as the #3 top-selling reggae album world-wide on iTunes.^{[citation needed]}

Time Bomb (2010) and Fresh Grounds EP (2011)[]

They released their second album, Time Bomb, in March 2010, which also topped the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart and sold over 36,000 copies.^[4]

In the week of February 19, 2011, Iration's third EP, Fresh Grounds hit #147 on the "Billboard" magazine's Albums list.^[5] They were featured as #1 on the magazine's Heatseekers albums list for the week of February 19, 2011^[6]

Lead singer Micah Pueschel performing in Eugene, Oregon on February 21, 2016

Automatic and Touring (2013)[]

In early 2013, after extensive U.S. touring Iration announced they had finished recording a new full length album titled Automatic The album was released in July 2013, sold more than 8,000 copies in its first week of release, and topped the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart.^[4] Cage The Elephant guitarist Lincoln Parish is featured on numerous songs, as well as helping produce the upcoming album.

Kai's departure and Hotting Up (2013–2015)[]

On April 5, 2013, Iration announced that vocalist Kai Rediske had quit the band, leaving Micah Pueschel as the only vocalist/guitarist left in the group. While Iration's official announcement of this via their own website stated Kai left to "pursue other interests", many fans have speculated that the departure was the result of tension within the group due to having two lead vocalists. People that have knowledge of the group dynamic have also stated that Kai's upcoming marriage, and unwillingness to be a part of extensive future touring as a result also played a factor.

On April 8, 2013, ThePier.org reported Iration has maintained that the upcoming Automatic album and all future shows would not be affected by Kai's departure.

The band's fourth album, Hotting Up was released in August 2015, just as the first three albums had, topped the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.^[7]

Double Up acoustic album (2016)[]

On December 2, 2016, Iration released Double Up, an acoustic album. It featured songs from the band's entire catalog of music. They "stripped them back and gave them an alternate life. We thought about a wave doubling up and the fact that it's another version of the same entity." The album reached #2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

Coastin' (2020)[]

On March 09, 2020, the band announced their seventh studio album, titled , alongside a promotional tour in the "Coastin' Summer Tour", set to feature roots reggae artist Tribal Seeds.^[8] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, they were forced to postpone the tour. The album featured tracks with Common Kings, Eli Mac, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution and Stick Figure.

On March 13, 2021, Iration announced a dub version of Coastin' on their Facebook page. The 7-song EP features dub remixes of Coastin' tracks and will be out on vinyl all digital platforms on May 7, 2021.

On May 22, 2021, Iration was one of many selected reggae bands featured on Collie Buddz second riddim album, Cali Roots Riddim 2021 with their single, "Be Alright".

Awards and honors[]

On July 29, 2021, Iration announced on their social media platforms that their 2010 song "Time Bomb" is officially certified. To celebrate this milestone, they launched a new merch collection and partnered with to bring you the band's first official NFT.^[9]

Lineup[]

Current members[]

• Micah Pueschel ("The Rainbow Road Warrior")^[10] – lead vocals, guitar (2004–present)
• Adam Taylor – bass (2004–present)
• Cayson Peterson – keyboards/synthesizer (2004–present)
• Joseph Dickens ("The D") – drums (2004–present)
• Micah Brown – lead guitar, vocals (2014–present)
• Drake Peterson – percussion, trumpet (2017–present)

Former members[]

• Kai Rediske – vocals, percussion (2004–2013)
• Catlin Peterson – vocals, guitar
• Joseph King – dub controls, live sound

Discography[]

Albums[]

EPs[]

Singles[]

References[]

Caulfield, Keith. Billboard – The International Newsweekly of Music, Video and Home Entertainment125.27 (Jul 20, 2013): 44.