Heavily influenced by the Two-tone Ska of the late 70s and early 80s, the group was formed by Mike "Oreo" Organista (lead vocals), Eric "Scaric" Vallen (rhythm guitar), Brandon "Hossinn" Seider (bass guitar), Grant "Saxpa" Cox (saxophone), Mike "Pussard" Honeyman (trumpet), Chaska "The Weasel" Slawson (drums), Alfredo “Fredo” Peralta (lead vocals), and Mark "Sparky" Gonzales (Merchandise/Designated Driver).
2011 saw the introduction of new members, ska/reggae/rocksteady legends, Zac Pike (lead guitar) and Dan Boer (keys), from the bands Sandollar Sounds and Dynamic Pressure, as well as Brian "Polar Bear" LeBlanc (drums), from Santa Barbara's Civil Unrest and Makai.
Dan Boer and Zac Pike also famously created music for the Cartoon Network's Chowder, with Santa Barara bassie, Jubal Molitor.
During this time, The Upbeat shared the stage with the likes of such varied artists as The Skatalites, Burning Spear, Sublime, Sugar Ray, No Doubt, Bad Manners, The Specials, The Wailers, Fishbone, Steel Pulse, and The Twinkle Brothers, to name a few.
The title song, Shuku Power, is a tribally influenced testament to the band's respect and admiration for the Native Chumash people that walked their hometown ground, many years before them.