Passafire

Passafire is a reggae rock band formed in Savannah, Georgia, in 2003 by Ted Bowne (vocals/guitar) and Nick Kubley (drums) while they were students at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Originally a quartet, the band released their self-titled debut Passafire in 2006, followed by Submersible (2007), which earned recognition as one of iTunes’ Top Reggae Albums of the year. Their sound quickly gained attention for blending reggae rock with more adventurous, progressive elements. The band’s profile rose significantly with later releases, particularly Start From Scratch (2011), produced by Paul Leary, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart. This album marked a stylistic shift toward more organic and folk-influenced textures and introduced keyboardist Mike DeGuzman following the departure of founding member Adam Willis. Subsequent albums such as Vines (2013), also a Billboard #1, and Longshot (2017) solidified Passafire’s reputation as one of the leading acts in the modern reggae-rock scene. Continuing their evolution, Passafire released Strata in 2021 and Remember a Time in 2023, featuring collaborations with artists from reggae, jam, and hip-hop scenes. Known for constant touring, they have shared stages with 311, Pepper, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu, and others. While rooted in reggae rock, Passafire’s music incorporates progressive rock, folk, and alternative influences, setting them apart with intricate musicianship and genre-blending experimentation.