Mystic Rebel has been tearing up the East Coast with a burnin' Reggae show that has kept them on the lips of thousands of music fans and top promoters for the last three years. As one of the more successful bands touring the Eastern Seaboard, the band were voted top ten "Best of the Fest" by Bethlehem Musikfest 2006, along with recent appearances at the Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Vermont Roots Reggae Festival, Pete Seeger's Clearwater Festival , Ithaca NY's Musefest and the Ski Woodbury Reggae Fest, where they joined on stage by legendary Wailer guitarist Junior Marvin. Mystic Rebel has twice headlined the Kalamazoo Island festival, and was joined onstage by Stevie Culture and members of Chicago Afro beat Project. The group has recently appeared at top venues like BB King's NYC, World Cafe Live Phila, Woodstock's Bearsville Theater, and House of Blues AC.
"The best band we've had..." said Red Door in Stratton VT, while Woodstock Times called them "...a smokin Reggae band." Said Merge digital online reviewer Judianne Triglia, "the vocals were dead on...the perfect combination of mellow and funky...the crowd loved them." BB King drummer Tony Coleman called them "...solid as a rock. I loved playing with them." Recently a fan called them "...the headiest Reggae band around..." Mystic Rebel is a band that captures Reggae fans and Jamband fans, with a unique mix of classic Dub grooves, a huge songlist of favorites, swirling guitar solos and high energy performances. "Like the Wailers with Garcia sitting in..." is how one fan described the MR show...whatever the decription, Mystic Rebel has undoubtably hit a sweet note with the fans.
Since it's inception in 2002, the group has appeared with a mountain of artists like Pato Banton, Stevie Culture, Giant Panda Geurilla Dub Squad, Fully Fullwood band, John Brown's Body, Jah Works, Cowboy Junkies, Entrain, Eric Johnson, Bruce Cockburn, Ihi Yahn Ihi Arkestra, Natty Rebel, Jah Menelek, the Itals, the Meditations, Jah Cutta, High Roots, See Peoples, Badfish Thousands of One, Freddie Jackson, Spiritual Rez, Berklee Bob Marley Ensemble, Mystic Roots to name a few. The band has performed for crowds as large as four thousand, and has played over 400 shows in the last three years.
The next phase of the Mystic Rebel will feature the addition of more original Reggae music and, of course the finest massive classics. With a new Original CD in 2008, a lineup that is streamlined, tuned and powerful, the future is bright for band. Like always, the band serves up the best of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Wailers, Jimmy Cliff and most importantly unique and interesting original Reggae music. With killer keysman Ryan Hickey bubbling at his side, in front of the the massive riddims of Michael Ras on drums and bassie Keith Sunborn, big guitarist and bandleader Michael Jay soars through the most well known Marley and Tosh favorites, often surprising with more obscure and revolutionary material...always thrilling even the most discriminating of Reggae fans. Singer and entertainer Shan Egan tops off the talent packed lineup with energy, good vibrations and a comfortable voice that brings the Irie. In between the incredible grooves and song choices, are funky and often psychedelic interludes that bring the jam fan to his feet.
In the studio this Spring putting finish on their upcoming release, the band will again hit the road in February, beginning with a run through the Carolinas for Bob Marley week, followed by a busy Summer tour that will include dates in the PA, NJ, Ohio, West VA, upstate NY, Michigan and New England. The tour includes festival performances at Hookahville, Nelson Ledges, Metro NY Balloon fest, Wormtown Festival, Woodbury Reggae Festival and more. Mystic Rebel will appear this Summer with acts like Dark Star Orchestra, U-Melt, Ryan Montbleau band, The Machine, Acoustic Hookah, Max Creek, Juggling Suns, The Alchemystics, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, The Breakfast and Dub is a Weapon.Stay tuned for more tour dates, news and updates..
