Monday 21 July 2014

Drummer Ryan Rabin on his South African roots, the Spice Girls and their breakthrough album, 'Spreading Rumours'

From left: Rabin, Gadd, Zucconi, Hooper and Wessen
From left: Rabin, Gadd, Zucconi, Hooper and Wessen
Courtesy of the band
When he was 18, Grouplove’s Ryan Rabin had a South African flag tattooed on his right wrist.
The flashes of red, blue, green, black and gold are visible at moments in the digitally released documentary I’m With You, named for the lead-in song of the USA band’s second record, Spreading Rumours. It’s the only obvious clue in the film that Grouplove’s American-born drummer and producer has his roots in this country.
His father is, of course, Trevor Rabin, who emerged first as a pop pin-up as part of the iconic 70s group Rabbitt, and then a respected producer (he was the arranger and producer of Margaret Singana’s “Where Is The Love”). After leaving the country in the late 70s, Rabin turned up on guitar and vocals as part of the reformed rock outfit Yes, eventually playing on and songwriting on four of the band’s later records.
These days the LA-based Rabin has an enviable career as a film composer, which has earned him several awards including the Henry Mancini Award at the 27th Annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards. His own output is infrequent, but Rabin’s most recent album was the all-instrumental work Jacaranda.
HIS DAD WAS IN YES, AND THERE THEY ARE AT GONZO
Union (Standard DVD)
DVD - £9.99

Union (2CD)
2CD - £7.99

Rock Of The 70's
DVD - £12.99

The Lost Broadcasts
DVD - £7.99

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