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The Rastafarians were one of the first USA-based reggae bands that became nationally known, and were instrumental in Santa Cruz becoming a reggae hotbed and a "must-stop" for touring reggae acts. They formed in Santa Cruz in late 1979 when Bro. Keith L'hommedieu of the Universal Life Church of Santa Cruz allowed a fledgling reggae trio, the Ital Breed to rehearse and hold performances in his church's building on Seabright Avenue. Two of its members, Jamaican keyboardist Vinroy "Scrub" Hamilton and Californian guitarist Herb Daly, both of whom had worked with the Roots of Creation band from San Francisco, teamed up with JA-born Patrick "Shaka Man" Houchen, who came out (on the recommendation of noted Jamaican vocalist George Nooks) from NYC where he was a session drummer at Bullwackies Studio. Not long thereafter, Bro. L'hommedieu helped bring niyabingi drummer Ras Michael from Jamaica to play the Civic Auditorium; Ras Michael's bassist Michael Ashley aka Haile Maskel and percussionist "Big Dread" remained in Santa Cruz to join up with Scrub, Herb and Shaka Man. Also enlisting in the 'farians were Ethiopian keyboardist Elias Negash and Jamaican singjay/guitarist Tony Moses from the SF bay area, and excellent guitarist and boyhood friend of the Wailers, opensolaris.