Why Does Everyone Hate Fusion?
I recently joined the Monsters of Rock Cruise with The Darkness. There were some great bands, including headliners Black Label Society and I made some new discoveries including ASOMVEL. However, it was after failing to get in to see Symphony X that I heard someone playing the guitar and it blew me away. That person turned out to be Chicago-based Dani Rabin who was there with his band Marbin. Not only is he a great musician, he’s an extraordinary guitar teacher as he demonstrates on his YouTube channel, so I wanted to introduce you. We spoke about many things – including how he feels about his own genre.
Apologies for the quality of the shot in the first 15 seconds. It gets better.
Marbin’s YouTube Channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCFfesqg_sucTPIwgtvFDTlw
and Marbin’s Patreon page can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/marbin
To see more from JHRA, join my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/jushawk
For Cameo messages: https://www.cameo.com/justinhawkins
For the latest news about The Darkness: https://www.thedarknesslive.com/
Get a Justin Hawkins Rides Again T-Shirt & Hoodie here: https://thejawsofvictory.com/collecti…
#reaction #fusionmusic #fusion
@eloiseripley
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
38:35 Control the trémolo, Play with the thumb and regulate the volume knob all at the same time
@clacclackerson3678
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Marbin music is a very amusing and often informative channel.
@GRHPTR
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Fantastic conversation, thank you!
@fifi23o5
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I listened to the fusion before it was known as fusion. My favourite band that played, also didn't know that. They played ethno-jazz-rock.
BTW, that band and I come from the country which was also a fusion.Literally.
They played it, sort of, organically, but nowadays it can be quite forced in some cases. That's what gave it a bad rep.
@StevenAlvarez-m6x
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Crazy that Justin Hawkins finally has a good video! Nice and thanks for this one.
@richardevans560
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Rhetoric. How to convince people you've won an argument when you haven't made one.
@richardevans560
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
This is why I like this channel, we get to hear interesting artists with different ideas. Still not a fan of fusion but Dani is cool
@Mark_Williams300
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Surely you remember the Scatman, Justin?
@alanblight9233
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Everybody doesn’t . Rock is itself a fusion in the first place .
@jeffcahill5722
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Oh, my deck chair …
@timarmstrong3251
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Andy Edwards is hilarious when in that mode and highly informative when he has his other hat on. Well worth checking out. Personally I skip his fusion stuff, but hey, he's still a great entertainer.
@alanflint7732
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
https://youtu.be/FQwpQM2JDXg?is=A3UEGFLpDUx3fa47
Fusion, or confusion?
@Worboyes
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Glides Again
@Hungry27
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Great chat!
@Mister_Jahn
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Actually, fusion is quite popular with a certain crowd… The thing is if you "fuse" you really fuse. The depth of interest there goes far deeper than most… Fusion isn't something you do or listen to to win points in a popularity contest… But if you want extra points for being ultra niche…. Fusion is the way to go.
@BillAltman
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Finally the pairing we needed
@pringles4312
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Two new Rolling Stones singles and no reaction yet? Let’s see it when you have time man
@jasonbelldata
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Can we talk about Mac Sabbath's bass player a second, I have questions…… like…. how? 🙂
@irishpete5472
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Excellent chat !!
@scotpetri7630
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Fusion is only for the elite and highly intellectual music listener. If you don't like it your IQ is likely average at best.
@DeGroove
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I could listen to Dani all day long, such a gem.
@Bedrockbrendan
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I think my issue with Jazz is the amount of improv. I find I like a lot of the standards and things like Django. But there is a certain kind of jazz that just drives me up a wall (the kind that sounds like a happy rubber ball bouncing on a fretboard playing random notes, the kind you tend to hear in cafes and such). But I have also heard live jazz that is great, especially if there is a real strong structure and themes that are clear. It is just when it sounds too random, or into outer space that I check out.
@SanFranciscan71
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Love rock/metal and jazz fusion. Some of the best musicians and guitar players are in fusion. I imagine some people don’t like it because of the jazz element or because its mostly instrumental. And another huge factor is certain eras of fusion border on sounding like easy listening or elevator music. Some of the 80s keyboard sounds are painful, even if the musicians are killing it. Start with Jeff Becks Wired or Phil Collins Brand X project. And go from there. PS loved Marbin’s Alex Sill interview!
@diggdugg2169
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Marbilous. Love both of these dudes.
@jtaco4101
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Who hates fusion?
@Quest4Tube
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I’ll never forget the line in one of Marbins videos. Something like “ hitting wrong notes are like running over old lady’s. Once is too many” 😂
@paulmcconnon7596
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
What a fantastic interview, brilliant brilliant Justin.
@1rwjwith
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
We need more instrumental Jazz Fusion. More real musicianship not cut and paste POP.
@Kouros-t6d
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I Hate Dumb Metal
@coritoj
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Justin Hawkins cruising 2026 does not dissapoint – greetings from the Caribbean nearby in Caracas
@shredbaron74
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
This was an unexpected pleasure.. a brilliant conversation between two intelligent and erudite artists. Best hour I have spent on Youtube in a while…bravo!
@kwaailight
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
GREAT conversation! ❤️
@fannyingabout
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
He is a stunning musician but I can't get into fusion unfortunately. I've tried.
@macsabbath9530
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Justin! Thanks for showing the clip! Amazing back flip! Highlight of the cruise!
@jacksonelmore6227
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I’m a rocker marbin is a huge inspiration but whereas he plays within forms I want to create forms
The “making” it happen vs the “letting” it happen
I could never stand fusion til I heard marbin do it right
@buxcorp
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Dani and Marbin are amazing!
@botchick
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I think the "fusion" of a JHRA interview shot on an American cruise ship under that wall art may be all the wild fusion I can take.
@chrisguthridge
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Marbin RULES
@TheTurnways
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
You should review This Is Everything by Versus. Leeds band… Singer really reminds me of someone but I'll let you tell me who 😂
@Marcnshae2011
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Justin and Dani are both awesome! 🤘🤘🤘
@robinbrown7890
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I was absolutely fascinated by this chat. My kids dinner was late because I couldn’t stop watching this. I fed the dog though.
@skin_N_bones-h5f
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Guy seems like a tool
@GeoffWilliamsGuitarist
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Great conversation. I've been a fan of Marbin for a few years now. I have many of Dani's lessons saved in my YouTube.
@peteredwards2318
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I don't think everyone hates fusion bands. A lot depends on the fusion in question of course. I would detest a rock or metal fusion with EDM, but Black Metal and Jazz slammed together into one sound is absolutely fantastic.
It depends on the components as to whether it'll get love, and of course whether the love is justified or just a product of an industry succeeding in spreading shit.
@andreasnewitsch59
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I like fusion. And Angine de proitin
@ksssssss
August 7, 2026 at 9:20 pm
This was super interesting