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 (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]
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. While Iration's official announcement of this via their own website stated Kai left to "pursue other interests." People that have knowledge of the group dynamic have stated that Kai's marriage, and unwillingness to be a part of extensive future touring as a result played a factor.
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.
Lead singer Micah Pueschel performing in Eugene, Oregon on February 21, 2016
Self-titled album (2018)
Iration recorded a self-titled album, their sixth studio album, which was released on May 18, 2018. The band collaborated with reggae artists: J Boog, Slightly Stoopid and Tyrone's Jacket, and featured 16 tracks. The album peaked on the Billboard Reggae Album chart at No. 2, the Independent Albums chart at No. 14 and made it onto the Billboard 200 at No. 199.[8]
Coastin' (2020)
On March 9, 2020, the band announced their seventh studio album, titled Coastin', alongside a promotional tour in the "Coastin' Summer Tour", set to feature roots reggae artist Tribal Seeds.[9] 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. The album was released on July 10, 2020.
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 was released on vinyl on 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".
On November 18, 2022, Iration released their first 'official' live album, titled Backyard Sessions: Malibu Edition, on all digital platforms.[10] They recorded the album last year during the Coronavirus pandemic outside overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California. It was originally for their first live stream on NoCap Shows, but decided to make a live album instead.
Daytrippin' (2023–present)
Over the span of Iration's 2022 Sunshine and Summer Nights tour with Atmosphere, Iration would open every night of their concerts with a brand new, unreleased song titled "New Style". After Iration's 2022 tour, much speculation of new music was circulating around as the band kept hinting at and posting snippets of new music and studio clips.
On February 6, 2023, Iration announced a new track titled "New Style", which was the same song that premiered during their 2022 tour, with slight changes. Iration then announced that "New Style" would premiere a day early at Kamp fest before its initial release on February 10.
On April 11, 2023, Iration announced their second single of the year titled IRL (abbreviation for "in real life"). Shortly after "IRL" released, Iration announced their IRL Fall Tour with Artikal Soundsystem and Cydeways.
On June 2, 2023, Iration announced on their social media pages that their 8th studio album titled Daytrippin', will release on October 6, 2023. The album features 10 tracks that includes Maxi Priest and Claire Wright. The album is produced by Suzy Shinn, which has been confirmed on her Instagram under the band's Three Prong Records. Micah Pueschel describes the band's return to their original sound...[11]
"Daytrippin is a return to our roots. We set out to strike a balance between polished studio production and the electrifying energy of a live show. We leaned on our reggae and rock influences to find a natural evolution from earlier albums like Time Bomb and Hotting Up."
On June 7, 2023, Iration announced that the third single would be the title track of the album and would release on June 9 alongside merch bundle pre-orders including a splatter vinyl, CD, a Daytrippin sweatshirt, and Daytrippin Decal.
Iration also announced early in the year that they would be opening for Rebelution in their Good Vibes Summer Tour 2023 alongside The Expendables and Passafire. After the second leg of the Good Vibes Summer Tour with Rebelution, Iration announced the fourth and final single from Daytrippin' titled "Last Night" featuring British Reggae singer Maxi Priest, released on September 9.
October 6, 2023, Daytrippin released with 6 new songs, "Can't Look Back", "Strange", "California Dreams", "Remedy", "The Stream", "Comedown" (feat. Claire Wright), and 4 songs released previously as singles, "New Style", "IRL", "Daytrippin", and "Last Night" (feat. Maxi Priest). The band also announced a Daytrippin release party after Reggae Rise Up Las Vegas, along with a Spotify listening party on the 10th and a Reddit AMA.
Awards and honors
On July 29, 2021, Iration announced on their social media platforms that their 2010 song "Time Bomb" is officially RIAA Gold certified. To celebrate this milestone, they launched a new merch collection and partnered with Sweet.io to provide the band's first official NFT.[12]
Iration performing in Eugene, Oregon on February 21, 2016.
Other projects
Iration teamed up with Arrow Lodge Brewing in Covina, California, to brew a special beer and 40-ounce can. Named after the band's 2020 song "Chill Out" from their Coastin album, this IPA was brewed with bird pick tea for a tropical taste.[13]
Iration also collaborated with MERGE4 to create special pairs of socks featuring artwork from the band's album catalog. The socks are available in Iration's online merch store on their website.
Playing as much golf as possible while not on tour, Iration teamed up with Seamus Golf of Beaverton, Oregon, on a handmade collaboration. The limited edition and quantities golf collection features a custom-made Oil Can Ball Mark with the diamond Iration logo in metal that creates tan, bronze, purple and blue hues; a hand-crafted waterproof military-grade Cordura head cover with an embroidered full-color Iration logo and lined with black fleece. Also included is the band's custom black polo shirt as a bundle for a discounted price.[14]
In August 2023, Iration collaborated with Melin, a Southern California hatwear company, for an exclusive cap with the band's logo. Called the "Coronado Melin x Iration Hydro", this lightweight, water-resistant, breathable antimicrobial cap comes in black and white.[15]
Lineup
Iration performing on their Daytrippin' Tour on their stop in New Haven, CT, Summer 2024
Current members
Micah Pueschel - lead vocals, guitar (2004–present)
Seu Cuca – "Sunny Times" (feat. Iration/MP) (5/15/2014)
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