Alan "Ruby" Rubens Harpsichord, Keyboards, Bkg Vocals, Bass
Nelson Bragg Drums, Percussion, Bkg Vocals
Probyn Gregory Horns, Banjo, Other exotic things
with:
Julia Wolff Keyboards, Bkg Vocals
Carolyn Edwards Keyboards, Bkg Vocals
Jorge Barba Percussion, Bkg Vocals
Influences
The Now People dig: Phil Spector Curt Boettcher Tandyn Almer Gary Zekley Bergen White Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends Peppermint Trolley Co. The Beatles The Beach Boys The 5th Dimension Scott Walker Bobby Jameson Elvis Presley Emitt Rhodes Paul McCartney John Lennon George Harrison Ringo Starr Pete Best Brian Wilson Burt Bacharach The Byrds The Monkees Brill Building Mann & Weil Goffin & King Barry & Greenwich Price & Walsh Harry Nilsson The Family Tree The Left Banke Margo Guryan Wondermints REdivider Burt Bacharach The Forum Nancy Priddy Dana Gillespie Rev-Ola Records The Collage Michael Z. Gordon The Fun and Games Chris Lucey The Blades of Grass Mark Eric Malmborg Jimmy Webb The Association Lesley Gore Carolyn Edwards Spindle late sixties/early seventies psychedelic soft pop Gene Clark The Free Design Sandy Salisbury Lee Mallory The Cowsills Crosby, Stills & Nash Tandyn Almer Tommy LiPuma Nick De Caro Curtis Mayfield Glen Campbell Randy Newman Mort Garson The Association Al De Lory Elliott Smith Judee Sill The Millennium Jobim The Ballroom Jim Bell Bobby Fuller Four Beauchemins Gene Pitney Paul Williams The Kinks The Zombies Eternity's Children Sagittarius Glenn Miller Bob Dylan Elton John Tony Rugalo Pete Rugalo A&M Records The Sandpipers Claudine Longet Brasil '66 Joy Division The Carpenters Mamas and the Papas Robyn Hitchcock Herb Alpert Love Van Dyke Parks Simon and Garfunkel Gary Usher American Spring Ruthann Friedman Serge Gainsbourg Carol Kaye Hal Blaine Mike Randle Baby Lemonade Francoise Hardy The Who Harpers Bizarre Jan and Dean Belle & Sebastian The Ladybug Transistor Dusty Springfield Linus Of Hollywood Beachwood Sparks Teenage Fanclub Kings Of Convenience Super Furry Animals Siesta Records The Negro Problem Majestic The Four Freshmen The Garden Club Boyce & Hart Brute Force The Canterbury Music Festival The Carnival Bones Howe Duncan Browne XTC The Oracle Keith Colley Liz Damon The Deep Six The Everpresent Fullness The Feminine Complex Thomas & Richard Frost The Grass Roots The Hard Times David Hemmings ('Happens'-era) Horses Tony Rivers Harmony Grass The Jazz Butcher Joe & Bing Little Richard Claudine Longet The Love Generation Frank Sinatra REM The Merry-Go-Round The Moon Fred Neil Nino & April October Country Keane Concretes The Jesus & Mary Chain Stone Roses The Smiths California Navels The Cake Bread Taco Grapefruit Chamaeleon Church Chuck & Mary Perrin The Poor Evie Sands The Sunshine Company The Third Rail The Tokens Triste Janero Twin Engine Mark Wirtz A Teenage Opera The Groop Murray MacLeod The Parade The Rain Parade Smokey Roberds Eric Carmen The Raspberries The Raspberry Pirates The Gordian Knot Bob Crewe The Glitterhouse Laura Nyro Del Shannon KRLA OLDIES AM 1260 (RIP) Colours The Strimbling Blimbles and a few others
Sounds Like
The Now People dig: Phil Spector Curt Boettcher Gary Zekley Bergen White Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends Peppermint Trolley Co. The Beatles The Beach Boys The 5th Dimension Scott Walker Bobby Jameson Verrill Keene Bob Keane Elvis Presley Emitt Rhodes Paul McCartney John Lennon George Harrison Ringo Starr Pete Best Brian Wilson Burt Bacharach The Byrds The Monkees Brill Building Mann and Weil Goffin and King Barry and Greenwich Price and Walsh Harry Nilsson The Family Tree The Left Banke Margo Guryan Wondermints REdivider Burt Bacharach The Forum Nancy Priddy Dana Gillespie Rev-Ola Records The Collage Michael Z. Gordon The Fun and Games Chris Lucey The Blades of Grass Mark Eric Malmborg Jimmy Webb The Association Lesley Gore Carolyn Edwards Spindle late sixties/early seventies psychedelic soft pop Gene Clark The Free Design Sandy Salisbury Lee Mallory The Cowsills Crosby, Stills and Nash Tandyn Almer Tommy LiPuma Nick De Caro Curtis Mayfield Glen Campbell Randy Newman Mort Garson The Association Al De Lory Elliott Smith Judee Sill The Millennium Jobim The Ballroom Jim Bell Bobby Fuller Four Beauchemins Gene Pitney Paul Williams The Kinks The Zombies Eternity's Children Sagittarius Glenn Miller Bob Dylan Elton John Tony Rugalo Pete Rugalo A&M Records The Sandpipers Claudine Longet Brasil '66 Joy Division The Carpenters Mamas & the Papas Robyn Hitchcock Herb Alpert Love Van Dyke Parks Simon and Garfunkel Gary Usher American Spring Ruthann Friedman Serge Gainsbourg Carol Kaye Hal Blaine Mike Randle Baby Lemonade Francoise Hardy The Who Harpers Bizarre Jan and Dean Belle & Sebastian The Ladybug Transistor Dusty Springfield Linus Of Hollywood Beachwood Sparks Teenage Fanclub Kings Of Convenience Super Furry Animals Siesta Records The Negro Problem Majestic The Four Freshmen The Garden Club Boyce & Hart Brute Force The Canterbury Music Festival The Carnival Bones Howe Duncan Browne XTC The Oracle Keith Colley Liz Damon The Deep Six The Everpresent Fullness The Feminine Complex Thomas and Richard Frost The Grass Roots The Hard Times David Hemmings ('Happens'-era) Horses Tony Rivers Harmony Grass The Jazz Butcher Joe & Bing Little Richard Claudine Longet The Love Generation Frank Sinatra REM The Merry-Go-Round The Moon Fred Neil Nino & April October Country Keane Concretes The Jesus and Mary Chain Stone Roses The Smiths California Navels The Cake Bread Grapefruit Chamaeleon Church Chuck and Mary Perrin The Poor Evie Sands The Sunshine Company The Third Rail The Tokens Triste Janero Twin Engine Mark Wirtz A Teenage Opera The Groop Murray MacLeod The Parade The Rain Parade Smokey Roberds Eric Carmen The Raspberries The Raspberry Pirates The Gordian Knot Bob Crewe The Glitterhouse Laura Nyro Del Shannon KRLA OLDIES AM 1260 (RIP) Colours The Strimbling Blimbles and a few others...
If you haven't already heard, there is a new sound emerging from Los Angeles. It is a sound that is itself indefinable and yet at the same time the very definition of all things relevant, of all things current, of all things now. And the world, it seems, is eager to listen.
To everything there is a season, and the season of The Now People is upon us. The Now People is a vocal and instrumental quartet consisting of Steve Stanley (guitar, keyboards and leading vocals), Alan "Ruby" Rubens (keyboards, bass and vocals), Probyn Gregory (horns and other exotic instruments, also in the Brian Wilson band, Wondermints) and Nelson Bragg (drums and percussion) also in the Brian Wilson band. Together, these four gentlemen are carving out a unique sound that has been described as "sonically balanced, totally integrated pop," marked by 60s-flavored melodic hooks and memorable choruses with a contemporary perspective. Although the band traces much of its influence to the late monophonic era, their captivating harmonies and inventive arrangements, punctuated by an expansive use of major-seventh chords and smooth, hook-laden lyrics are totally state of the art. Stanley, Rubens, Gregory and Bragg are too knowing, too modern, to give in to lame retreads of the past.
So what does that leave you with? Four chaps with a penchant for stacking memories against melodies while never overstaying their welcome. Not a bad deal, if you think about it. But watch yourself. These guys would love nothing better than to insinuate themselves into your deepest romances and your worst heartaches. For in the final analysis, these are our most basic common links. Stand easy children, there is beauty to be found everyday, and now you have today's.
Steve & Now Friends, I'm pleased to announce our latest, The Girls' Song Edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION--the monthly Blog-Magazine on my page. I feel this is one our best issues ever as we wave banners for those amazing women of The original 5th...as beautiful & vocally dexterous as ever, always giving 300% on stage & to the community-at-large with class & Godly grace.
You'll find a special salute to Marilyn McCoo's upcoming birthday (Sept. 30th) with lots of fun including "The One Less Egg to Fry Challenge" plus a Q & A and the link to our exciting new McCoo YouTube! And we check in with FlorenceLaRue, that Delightful Diva on stage with today's 5th!
Am sitting here with Hugh P. and he says in addition to his fee (exorbitant, esp. since Flying Faders are doing most of the work), he wants 20p for every person who comes to the show. He said Genesis gave him that for Knebworth and he bought two new houses. Help!!
You're invited to our all-new FOREVER 5th DIMENSION ANNIVERSARY EDITION as we celebrate both our first year of our globally popular Blog-Magazine and more importantly, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.'s 40th Wedding Anniversary!! Join the fun & festivities with rare photos, celebrity wishes, and even take "The Marilyn & Billy Name that Tune Challenge!"
We'll also link you to our latest YouTube featuring the un-vaulted version of "Soul & Inspiration" as part of our tribute to the dynamic duo! It's all at the Blog section on my page...see ya there...and THANKS for your support, enthusiasm and friendship this past year...
You are truly part of a full-circle "Up-Up & Away" blessing,
Steve...hello...I think you'll enjoy this...Blessings, Robert
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION presents our SUMMER SUNSHINE EXCLUSIVE: "Sound-sculpting with Mr. Bones & The 5th!" It's an ALL-NEW in-depth Q & A with The 5th's mega-producer, Bones Howe as we talk about the Grammy-winning quintet's most beloved Summer songs...of course the secrets behind Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In but fan favorites, too like Marilyn's "Open Your Window" and Billy's "Summer's Daughter!" Lots of rare photos, too. So surrey on down to the Blog section on my page and enjoy our Champagne Soul picnic!
Hey guys! Have you seen the reviews on Amazon.com about The Last Great 20th Century Love Affair? You get 5 stars!!!!! Romantic, sophisticated, mellow, whimsical, dreamy, Lots of catchy melodies, harmonies, and pleasantly unexpected twists and turns make it a joy to listen to from start to finish. I purchased the cd a few weeks ago and I have to agree with the reveiws above. Listing to your music is a wonderful experience.
Buzzing Bye is a beautiful song. It's now #1 on my playlist. Just wondering, did you guys write that song and do you have anymore like it? Take care & Keep Rocking. (=^:^=)
Being a huge fan of the Quarter After [and Nelson] my next port of call was fellow power pop creators ,suffice it to say I think your work is Genius,cap doffed in admiration,James
How can I say thanks? Your awesome response to "Marilyn & Billy--From the Heart" was unprecedented! In the spirit of The official 40th Anniversary of The Age of Aquarius, we keep up the vibe of "harmony & understanding" that The 5th Dimension represents to this day by proudly presenting our latest GRACEFUL SOUL edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, featuring a rare & unique archival interview with the lovely & candid, Miss Marilyn McCoo.
If you enjoyed our last edition, I think you'll savor our latest..it's "a groovy thing" (with rare photos & updated info too!). So "surrey on down" to the Blog section on my page and "let the sunshine in!"
Thanks for the comments Steve. Dennis Wilson and Keith Moon happened to party with me that same night at the Troubadour. It was there that my love of the drums was born. Since then I’ve lost my Remo endorsement due to a failure in coming to agreement during contract renegotiations. Some pesky nuance about them not being able to produce my own line. I’ve signed with Gretsch Drums since. My solo album unfortunately still has never seen an official release. It’s my own “Bambu”. Rumor has it though my album's been making rounds among Japanese bootleggers on vinyl with the same album cover.
Hello! Thank you for your comment! Absolutely love your tunes. We saw that you were friends with the Sonic Executive Sessions (Christian is also in this band) so we thought you'd like this kind of stuff as well. And we're glad that you do! Keep in touch! The 4 o' 5s.
If you haven't already heard, there is a new sound emerging from Los Angeles. It is a sound that is itself indefinable and yet at the same time the very definition of all things relevant, of all things current, of all things now. And the world, it seems, is eager to listen.
Wishing you all a fabtastic week!
