The Family Stand

The Family Stand is a New York based soul and R&B group, active since the late 1980s, consisting of Sandra St. Victor, Peter Lord Moreland, and V. Jeffrey Smith.

The Family Stand
OriginUnited States
GenresSoul, R&B
Years active1987 (1987)–present
LabelsAtlantic Records, East West Records
Associated actsBlack Rock Coalition, Miki Howard, Des'ree, Paula Abdul, Shyheim
Websitehttp://www.thefamilystand.net
MembersSandra St. Victor
Peter Lord Moreland
V. Jeffrey Smith
Past membersJacci McGhee

Evon Geffries & The Stand

Their first incarnation was called Evon Geffries & The Stand. Evon came from the name of Moreland's mother; Geffries from Jeff Smith; and The Stand, which was St. Victor's favorite book that year. The name seemed a good idea at the time, but later regretted for all the time it took in interviews to explain, and because everyone referred to St. Victor as Evon. At the suggestion of A&R man Merlin Bobb, the name was changed to more understandable, The Family Stand.

Early 1990s

The Family Stand's music tackled politics, social issues, relationship tensions, sexual tension. Their first album release was Chapters: A Novel By Evon Geffries & Stand.

Chain brought them their international hit "Ghetto Heaven", which was remixed by Nellee Hooper & Jazzy B of Soul II Soul in 1990. The group's single "Ghetto Heaven" also reached #10 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1990.[1] At the same time The Family Stand members were largely responsible for creating the songs on Paula Abdul's album Spellbound.[2]

Moon In Scorpio the album that became their swan song, was released in 1991. Lord labeled the album The Family Stand's "greatest artistic achievement."[3]

Connected

After discussion between the three, and disappointment with the lack of record company support, the group decided not to record again for the label. Lead vocalist St. Victor began to launch her solo career, and was replaced with Keith Sweat's former background vocalist Jacci McGhee in 1995. The reformed group came out with Connected.

2000s

The original trio reunited in 2006 for a concert at New York City Central Park's Summerstage, which inspired a reunion tour and new album, 2007's Super Sol Nova. Their latest release in 2010 was a single, "Story", chronicling the madness of the American justice system where an innocent boy can easily be lost. The follow-up full length project is entitled, In A Thousand Years.

In 2011, The Family Stand member V. Jeffrey Smith played bass on the song "Black Hand Side" on rapper Pharoahe Monch's 2011 album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades).[4]

In 2013, The Family Stand contributed a track to a benefit album to raise funds for Donovan Drayton's release from prison.[5]

Discography

Albums
YearAlbumLabel
1987Chapters: A Novel By Evon Geffries And The StandAtlantic Records
1989Chain[6]Atlantic Records
1991Moon in ScorpioEast West America/Atlantic Records
1997Connected[7]East West America/Atlantic Records
2007Super Sol Nova[8]Rounder Europe/Go! Entertainment
2010In A 1,000 Years[9]Digital-only release via Bandcamp

Singles
YearTitleLabel
1990"Ghetto Heaven"Atlantic Records
1990"In Summer I Fall"Atlantic Records
1990"Sweet Liberation"Atlantic Records
1992"Shades of Blue"East West America/Atlantic Records
1997"You Don't Have to Worry"East West America/Atlantic Records
2010"Story"Strategic Soul Ventures

References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 195. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. Jeffrey Ressner (17 May 1991). "Paula Takes the Stand". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  3. "Peter Lord: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  4. Jeffries, David. "W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)- Pharoahe Monch". Credits: Allmusic. allmusic.com.
  5. http://4donovan.info/don/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4DonovanLinerCredits.pdf
  6. "Album review: The Family Stand's Chain". Rolling Stone. 13 June 1991. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  7. "The Family Stand". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  8. "The Family Stand > Discography".
  9. "In A 1,000 Years by The Family Stand".
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