The Black Rabbits

There aren’t any tricks to the music, just good fucking tunes, great sounding guitars, drums and vocals and lots of hooks; LOTS OF HOOKS. Their sound is raw, yet has a polished finesse to it. - The New LoFi

There's a feel-good, timeless bounce to the songs that should appeal to Boomer parents as much as twentysomethings in Converse. - Miami New Times

The Black Rabbits deliver no-nonsense jams with just enough pop in them to quickly burrow into your memory. - Pigeons And Planes

This group is distinct in its ability to mix moods, showcased especially in the track “Hypno Switch”, with dark lyrics balanced against a bouncy chorus that is easily hummable. - Boom Boom Chik

Trying to figure out which song to tease you with is almost impossible, because they’re all perfect. Yes, perfect. This is a truly amazing debut. I can’t wait to hear what comes next. - Berkeley Place

Like a train that chugs along and suddenly threatens to go off the tracks, The Black Rabbits brooding, theatrical garage rock makes for an exciting ride. - OurStage

In the same way that The Beatle's early music is characterized by short, flawlessly produced catchy rock and roll beats, so too is The Black Rabbits. - SFcritic

Hypno Switch is refreshing, just like the first time you heard The White Stripes blasting out of your radio. - Stereo Subversion

Hypno Switch by The Black Rabbits is a dynamic first effort from a band destined to have a long and glorious musical career. - HighWire Daze

Trying to figure out which song to tease you with is almost impossible, because they’re all perfect. Yes, perfect. This is a truly amazing debut. I can’t wait to hear what comes next. - Berkeley Place

The Black Rabbits are one of those indie bands that has succeeded in not only capturing a timeless sound, but has also mastered the fine art of keeping it from getting dated. - NewIndieBands.com

The Black Rabbits accompany classic chord progression with sensitive lyrics. Their focus, worldly and acute, quietly transcends industry standards and says with a poetic vibe, "I have a conscience, and I'm going to use it." - The Examiner

The Black Rabbits deliver no-nonsense jams with just enough pop in them to quickly burrow into your memory. - Pidgeons And Planes

With a variety of influences such as Nirvana, The Pixies, The White Stripes, The Doors and The Ramones, they have developed a loyal base of followers on their East Coast routings. - Axis Magazine

There's a feel-good, timeless bounce to the songs that should appeal to Boomer parents as much as twentysomethings in Converse. - Miami New Times

This group is distinct in its ability to mix moods, showcased especially in the track “Hypno Switch”, with dark lyrics balanced against a bouncy chorus that is easily hummable. - Boom Boom Chik

Like a train that chugs along and suddenly threatens to go off the tracks, The Black Rabbits brooding, theatrical garage rock makes for an exciting ride. - OurStage

North Carolina-based rock band, The Black Rabbits, sounds as if you took Neil Diamond and put him as the lead of Nirvana. - MTV

Nowadays, there are more bands in the area then there are radio stations to play them. Sometimes, if you are checking out the local music scene you may see some "interesting" selections.

However, there are those rare moments when you come across a band that has the potential to become huge, from just listening to a few minutes of the band's set. Surprisingly enough, these bands are not figments of your imagination, they do in fact exist, and one of them is in our very area!


The Black Rabbits are a Longwood based band consisting of brothers, Jetson and Skyler Black and bassist Reah Smith. Jetson, the older of the two brothers, is the man behind the mic on the lead vocals and guitar. He also writes the lyrics to their many songs. Skyler, the younger brother, plays the drums, and other "shaky things", giving each song, its own unique beat. Reah is the newest member of the band, who joined them just a few months ago after meeting Jetson at church. However this girl stands her own ground by playing both the bass and assisting Jetson with backing vocals, and Jetson and Skyler say that she's a great addition and fits in very well.

You may ask however, what sets them apart from other bands in the area, and what makes them so worthwhile? The black Rabbits have the ability to create something new so to say. When asked where their influences come from Jetson said "Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, The Knack, The Doors, and The Pixies". And those influences are very much seen because, they take those oldies (but truly goodies) and add a personal touch to create a sound that's sensationally their own, a sound that makes them stand above other bands in their genre of Indie-rock. Talking to the two brothers in the band, one can find out many details, pertaining to how they started, where they are know, and what they see for themselves in the future.

The Black Rabbits was formed in 2002 by the two brothers who got the name from two different sources: the book Watership Down and their first pet, a black rabbit, named Silhouette. They have been playing gigs both local and out of state ever since.

When asked what stories are behind some of the band's songs Jetson said, "Every song has a different story but I specifically like to write about childhood memories, sacrifice, and loss. 'Blow out your candles' is about sacrificing oneself for their loved ones." Jetson also noted how human emotion and how it responds to different situations, impacts him the most when he is writing songs.

Also, some might think that being in a band with your brother might be tough, but the Black's say otherwise. The two brothers say that it's great working with each other, and that they are both very like-minded and that allows them to have an instant connection when they play, allowing them to read each others moves and in turn put on a fantastic show.

This year has been very promising year for the band, as they now have an advisor whom they met in Pennsylvania who is working with them and their musical career in many different ways. Also on November 17th, they will head into the studio to record some of their songs with the new addition of their bassist. With this as a starting ground for them, the future holds endless possibilities.

Check them out on the web at TheBlackRabbits.net to not only listen to some of their music, but also to check for any upcoming shows in the area.
- Winter Park Paper

Sometimes when one is looking for something special, he or she does not need to look far. In the case of some great music, The Black Rabbits are the perfect formula. With their catchy tunes and fun lyrics, the band blends a nice mixture of the old and new in rock and pop. - juniorscave.com

http://palestra.net/videos/play/13248

OR

http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=1506101&referralPlaylistId=ac2ce0c48ae23df0ca76619b7340b15a9fe4e26d - Palestra and Fox News

This is to certify that "For Way Too Long Now" was a Finalist in the Rock/Indie category in the UK Songwriting Contest 2008. This song was carefully examined by expert music industry judges and they have awarded Jetson Black this certificate for participating in the contest in 2008 and for contributing to its continued success as a leading international annual songwriting event. - UK Songwriting Contest 2008

Closing the night was The Black Rabbits, who if I said they were a cross between The Strokes and The Jonas Brothers they would probably kill me. I kid those Black Brothers, Skylar and Jetson. They have a cool guitar pop sound and are one of the areas most underrated bands.
- Kick Bright Zine

The Orlando, Fla. trio The Black Rabbits, made up of brothers Jetson (vocals/guitar/lyrics) and Skyler Black (percussion), along with Reah Smith on bass, are in the midst of production on their self-titled full-length album, the group’s first after releasing the four-track For Way Too Long Now around a year ago.

Though all three have been playing together for around 18 months, they already have industry veteran Stan Lynch, who’s worked with Bob Dylan and was the long-time drummer for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, working with them and singing their praises. Skyler said that having Lynch, along with producer Billy Chapin with the Chapin Music Group, work with them so early in their music life is “definitely reassuring” about the direction they’re heading.

Jetson added that it makes him believe more in the group’s music, with “Stan Lynch saying ‘you guys are great.’ That’s mind-blowing to us, (and) he’s really bringing out the best in all of us.”
But even with the big-time talent backing them, Jetson said their full-length album is only half done, and that they’re “trying to get it picked up (by a label) so we can finish the other half.”

They’re set to have a golden opportunity to do just that, as they’ll showcase their ‘60s pop-inspired brand of rock at the main stage at the Florida Music Festival in Orlando, held May 13-16, through an invite from record label BMI.

Though The Black Rabbits are sort of young, Jetson age 23, Skyler age 21 and Reah all of 16, they take pride in using vintage gear to record their album and perform their live shows. “(It’s) a dream come true,” Skyler said, adding that he gets to use an “amazing” sounding Ludwig snare for the recording sessions and at the live shows. “The recording equipment is vintage, too (at Retrophonics Recording Studios in St. Augustine, Fla.). It’s like a modern vintage sound. We used a real mike The Beatles used, and we were like, ‘Oh my God.’”
- CrankIt Mag

The Black Rabbits are young, talented, and lucky for
them smack dab in the middle of the retro rock
revolution. At the core of the group are brothers
Jetson (guitar/vocals) and Skyler (drums) Black with
bassist Reah Smith. Finally taking the stage at
11:30pm Jetson smartly kept the talking to a minimum,
keeping the thinning Thursday night crowd and letting
the band’s personality come thru the music.

One opening act, obviously waiting around only for
their take of the door, spent the entire 1st song
making fun of the Black Rabbits. But if someone
references Bye Bye Birdie chances are they know it all
too well. The Black Rabbits are more Ramones in look
than Bye Bye Birdie. Yet by the 3rd song that entire
band was bobbing their heads and drumming their
fingers. With just their simple but catchy tunes like
"Pretty Baby" and "Emotion" The Black Rabbits not only
won over their peers but doubled their audience by
drawing in the pool players from the next room.

Although technically better than many bassists 10
years her senior, at 15 years old, Reah Smith has not
yet developed her confidence as a performer. With
time maybe her stage presence will improve. Her
harmonies were in tune and added depth to Jetson’s
well-written songs. Still, watching a performance of
someone that young on a Thursday night in a bar is
kind of creepy.

The Black Rabbits take all the best elements of music
from the past 40 years and leave listeners with a tune
they’re humming days later. The musical stew that is
The Black Rabbits has some Buddy Holly and a little of
the Ramones, with dashes of classic rock, emo (Yes. It
can be good.), and grunge. The former pool players,
rival bands, and newly converted fans all ate it up.
If those in attendance can’t get the tunes out of
their head they’ll ’Hurry Hurry’ back to a Black
Rabbits show very soon. - Quinton Sheer (Q's House)