Search - Sand Rubies :: Sand Rubies

Nice vocals, catchy rifts, pleasant melodies and variety...

Steven Alex | Cincinnati, Oh United States | 02/12/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Nice vocals, catchy rifts, pleasant melodies and variety are all over this album. I ran across it while preparing for a radio show I do in Cincinnati, Ohio. The group broke up in 1993, and even if the tunes are a bit dated in style, they are all still excellent. Lots of different styles with excelent vocals and playing throughout the entire album. Two of the origional members are back together and playing. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!"

They're Still Around

D. Bell | Phoenix, AZ USA | 12/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved the Sidewinders/Sand Rubies back in the late '80's and early '90's. It wasn't a good weekend if I wasn't able to catch them playing at the Sun Club or Hollywood Alley, or some other dump around Tempe, or to get in the car with a couple of friends and catch them down in Tucson.



I remember when this album came out in '92. "Goodbye" got a lot of airplay on Jonathan L's alternative station, KFMA. It was hard to pick up in Phoenix, especially downtown, and I remember pulling over and then creeping the car forward a few feet at a time until the reception improved.



"Goodbye" does the best job I've ever heard of focusing all the anger of a failed relationship, everything that's ever bothered you about the other person, be it major or minor: "for drivin' my car into the lake/for never bakin' my birthday cake." Just a blistering attack on the ex-lover. I probably related to it a bit personally, as my girlfriend and I were breaking up at the time, but it's still a great song. "Hit the Brakes at the Pearly Gates" is one of the goofiest songs, lyrically, that they've ever done, with lines like "Guy Lombardo loves Perry Farrell." Huh? "Guns in the Churchyard" is a snapshot of a mythic Southwest past straight out of a Sergio Leone movie. But "Never," which they apparently wrote to close their shows, much like "What She Said" off "Cuacha" or "Witchdoctor," is a nine minute fusion of noise and angst that begs to be played LOUD.



And then the band broke up.



Rich Hopkins has released many albums since then, and David Slutes an album or two, but they were never as great apart as they were together. They got back together several years back, and play occasionally as the Sand Rubies. I saw them several months ago, and it's just not the same. I'm nearly twenty years older, so going out to a dumpy bar isn't as much fun as it used to be. The bars in AZ now stay open until 2AM, so the main band isn't going on until midnight, at least. I'm elderly. That's late. Rich, Dave, can't you guys go on first, once in a while? And the shows are getting shorter, more like a run-through of the greatest hits. So I'm very excited that the Sand Rubies are back with a new album.



Led Zeppelin is currently attracting all the attention, getting back together and possibly recording a new album. So what? For the first time in ten years, the Sand Rubies have a new album out, "Mas Cuacha," and are playing together with new music. I don't see it listed here on Amazon, so look for Rich's website, San Jacinto Records. The Phoenix CD release party is in a couple of weeks, so I'll get my copy then. Hopefully, it will be up on Amazon shortly.



And I'm sure it will rock as triumphantly as this album, "Sand Rubies," does."

A true lost Gem

CursedShadow | Planet Iowa | 06/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know it is too late to help this band, wherever they may be now but this is an amazingly good album. A number of "names" were involved, one way or another, in it's production and the musicianship and material are first class. My nomination for the absolute best $.01 CD on Amazon! If you like rock and roll, get this one. You won't be disappointed."