The Rubinoos carried on the great pop tradition of UK bands like the Hollies and the Beatles and that espoused by other American acts like the Raspberries. They were formed in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California, USA, in 1973 by Tommy "TV" Dunbar and Jon Rubin, who were thrown out of high school together and enrolled in a so-called Progressive School where they learnt to smoke illegal substances. They called themselves the Rubinoos after Jon's surname, Rubin acting as vocalist while Dunbar played lead guitar. They were joined by Royse Ader on bass and Donn Spindit on drums and vocals. Their early set consisted of cover versions including the Archies' "Sugar Sugar". The Rubinoos were often pelted with vegetables until the American new wave scene helped make 60s pop respectable again. Dunbar's brother Rob was in a band called Earthquake and their manager, Matthew King Kaufman, helped get the Rubinoos gigs. He also added them to his impressive roster on Beserkley Records.

Listen to The Rubinoos at Finetune.

• I Think We're Alone Now
• My Little Red Book

• Cheap Trick
• Nick Lowe
• Shoes
• Jonathan Richman
• The Police
• The Clash
• A-Ha
• Depeche Mode
• The Ramones
• David Bowie
• Blondie
• Elvis Costello
• A Flock of Seagulls
• Soft Cell
• The Cure
• Tommy Tutone
• The Cars
• The Knack
• The Go-Go's
• Bangles