LONGFORD

2004 -

OVERVIEW Formed in Co. Longford in the summer of 2004, The Rubens are a quartet of college-friends who take their name from the term "rube" (American slang for a country bumpkin). With an average age of 22, The Rubens first came to prominence with the release of their self-produced debut EP, Esmerelda. In late 2004 and early 2005 the Midlands finest solidified their reputation as a hard-working live act cramming over 100 gigs nationwide into a 3-month period. Impressing audiences in colleges and venues around the country The Rubens completely sold out their 2, 500 copy run of the Esmerelda EP. Along the way their songs picked up significant airplay on over 30 Irish radio stations including larger commercial stations such as 2FM and Today FM. As their prowess as a live band grew The Rubens sound has developed and taken on intensity that gives the song for their new album an unexpected-but-welcome edge. For the summer and autumn of 2005 the band have been keeping a very low profile on the live-front, only emerging to play this year's Hard Working Class Heroes festival in Dublin. Ask them where they've been and the band's official line is " We needed to drop off the radar for a few months, we reckon it was our time to go off and meet the devil at the cross-roads…" The truth be told though, the band, Dan Belton [Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar], Shane Gough [Drums & Backing Vocals], Jed Belton [Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals] and Steven Cherry [Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals] were in fact putting the finishing touches to their debut album with Dublin-based uber-producer Gareth Mannix (The Thrills, The Revs, The Chalets). Jammed full of 3-minute pop songs that merge their new edgier, heavier sound with the innate pop sensibility evidenced on their earlier recordings, the album has a working title of "Kamikaze Love" and is scheduled for release in early 2006. Watch this space… 2004 - Band formed - Release of 'Esmerelda' single