Ruby Topaz
Providence, Rhode Island, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1971 | SELF
Music
Press
These are quotes from a singles review in Kerrang magazine from England somewhere between 1982 and 1985. It was written by David Sinclair and was reviewed alongside of singles by The Rolling Stones, Roger Dawltrey and Blue Oyster Cult.
"Amazing guitar"; "reminiscent of early Led Zeppelin" "they show genuine excitement" "love to see one of their gigs" "could be the next supergroup"
The single got similar reviews in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France and America. Metal Forces in Illinois called us "subtly savage melodic metal" - Kerrang
Mark Bram / Ruby Topaz is the most exciting glam rocker you've never heard.
This CD is the ultimate introduction to the man and his band. It's a collection of unreleased songs as well as demos that showcase his vast array of influences ranging from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, from Queen to Alice Cooper. Aside from a few spirited cover songs, most notably ELO's "Getting To The Point"; the rest of the album is penned by Mark Bram himself.
Listen to the touching song Bram wrote for his son, "Far, Far Away"; If Bram decided to give up performing, he could make a nice living crafting songs for other artists.
Aside from his soulful lyrics, it is Bram's perpetually infectious musicianship that will catch the listener. Bram plays everything but the drums on this album. Put on "Drive Me Anywhere, Fast!" and close your eyes. I promise you, you will be hooked on this hidden gem of a rock star. It would be a crime if you weren't. Ruby Topaz: www.rubytopaz.com - ink 19
Mark Bram / Ruby Topaz is the most exciting glam rocker you've never heard.
This CD is the ultimate introduction to the man and his band. It's a collection of unreleased songs as well as demos that showcase his vast array of influences ranging from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, from Queen to Alice Cooper. Aside from a few spirited cover songs, most notably ELO's "Getting To The Point"; the rest of the album is penned by Mark Bram himself.
Listen to the touching song Bram wrote for his son, "Far, Far Away"; If Bram decided to give up performing, he could make a nice living crafting songs for other artists.
Aside from his soulful lyrics, it is Bram's perpetually infectious musicianship that will catch the listener. Bram plays everything but the drums on this album. Put on "Drive Me Anywhere, Fast!" and close your eyes. I promise you, you will be hooked on this hidden gem of a rock star. It would be a crime if you weren't. Ruby Topaz: www.rubytopaz.com - ink 19
Genre-busting progressive glam, blues-metal fusion rocker Ruby Topaz, is tonight’s headliner at AS220 and merits an extra mention here for originality and durability, and the guy can play the guitar. The line-up of the band, a.k.a. Ruby Topaz, seems to be in constant flux, just see who shows up. And should the crowd get out of control Mr. Topaz could easily assist the AS220 security staff (insert joke here) since in his other life as Mark Bram he is a Grandmaster of the Lee Wah Yook Qi Quan system of internal Chinese martial arts, and teaches Yeung style Taijiquan in Providence at his Internal Arts Tai Chi Chuan Studio in Hope Artiste Village. Tonight’s show is a B Sharp Music presentation and they usually have a pretty good sense of what makes for an interesting night. Also on the bill Txoka Txoka and more tba.
$8, 9pm, Friday, AS220, 115 Empire Street - Providence Daily Dose
Genre-busting progressive glam, blues-metal fusion rocker Ruby Topaz, is tonight’s headliner at AS220 and merits an extra mention here for originality and durability, and the guy can play the guitar. The line-up of the band, a.k.a. Ruby Topaz, seems to be in constant flux, just see who shows up. And should the crowd get out of control Mr. Topaz could easily assist the AS220 security staff (insert joke here) since in his other life as Mark Bram he is a Grandmaster of the Lee Wah Yook Qi Quan system of internal Chinese martial arts, and teaches Yeung style Taijiquan in Providence at his Internal Arts Tai Chi Chuan Studio in Hope Artiste Village. Tonight’s show is a B Sharp Music presentation and they usually have a pretty good sense of what makes for an interesting night. Also on the bill Txoka Txoka and more tba.
$8, 9pm, Friday, AS220, 115 Empire Street - Providence Daily Dose
Mark Bram has brought together almost twenty years of experience-- gigging with bands, playing guitar and keyboards, signing, songwriting andrecording--onto his demo cassette, which contains seven rock compositions in the vein of ELO, early Rush, Queen and Led Zeppelin. All the songs on the tape were recorded, produced and engineered by Bram on aRoland VS-880 digital 8-track in his 13x13 living room. Bram's vocal style evokes Geddy Lee of Rush, and one can hear elements of his influences in his guitar playing--Jimmy Page and Brian May, in particular. It is evident from Bram's demo tape that he possesses both a wide vocal range and adeveloped compositional sense that comes from years of experience.
Mark has been living his music since his pre-teen years. He has led his band, Ruby Topaz, for more than adecade. They have worked primarily in the New England area and have opened for acts such as John Entwistle. In 1982, Ruby Topaz recorded a single that sold in the U.S. and had some success in Europe as well. They also recorded two albums that unfortunately, were never released. Mark recently put together the songs on his demo tape with the assistance of drummer Steve D'Andrea.
Bram undoubtedly will continue to write music and record his own brand of high-powered rock in the future. - Guitar Nine
Mark Bram has brought together almost twenty years of experience-- gigging with bands, playing guitar and keyboards, signing, songwriting andrecording--onto his demo cassette, which contains seven rock compositions in the vein of ELO, early Rush, Queen and Led Zeppelin. All the songs on the tape were recorded, produced and engineered by Bram on aRoland VS-880 digital 8-track in his 13x13 living room. Bram's vocal style evokes Geddy Lee of Rush, and one can hear elements of his influences in his guitar playing--Jimmy Page and Brian May, in particular. It is evident from Bram's demo tape that he possesses both a wide vocal range and adeveloped compositional sense that comes from years of experience.
Mark has been living his music since his pre-teen years. He has led his band, Ruby Topaz, for more than adecade. They have worked primarily in the New England area and have opened for acts such as John Entwistle. In 1982, Ruby Topaz recorded a single that sold in the U.S. and had some success in Europe as well. They also recorded two albums that unfortunately, were never released. Mark recently put together the songs on his demo tape with the assistance of drummer Steve D'Andrea.
Bram undoubtedly will continue to write music and record his own brand of high-powered rock in the future. - Guitar Nine
Mark Bram / Ruby Topaz is the most exciting glam rocker you've never heard.
This CD is the ultimate introduction to the man and his band. It's a collection of unreleased songs as well as demos that showcase his vast array of influences ranging from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, from Queen to Alice Cooper. Aside from a few spirited cover songs, most notably ELO's "Getting To The Point," the rest of the album is penned by Mark Bram himself.
Listen to the touching song Bram wrote for his son, "Far, Far Away." If Bram decided to give up performing, he could make a nice living crafting songs for other artists.
Aside from his soulful lyrics, it is Bram's perpetually infectious musicianship that will catch the listener. Bram plays everything but the drums on this album. Put on "Drive Me Anywhere, Fast!" and close your eyes. I promise you, you will be hooked on this hidden gem of a rock star. It would be a crime if you weren't. Ruby Topaz: www.rubytopaz.com - ink 19
Mark Bram / Ruby Topaz is the most exciting glam rocker you've never heard.
This CD is the ultimate introduction to the man and his band. It's a collection of unreleased songs as well as demos that showcase his vast array of influences ranging from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, from Queen to Alice Cooper. Aside from a few spirited cover songs, most notably ELO's "Getting To The Point," the rest of the album is penned by Mark Bram himself.
Listen to the touching song Bram wrote for his son, "Far, Far Away." If Bram decided to give up performing, he could make a nice living crafting songs for other artists.
Aside from his soulful lyrics, it is Bram's perpetually infectious musicianship that will catch the listener. Bram plays everything but the drums on this album. Put on "Drive Me Anywhere, Fast!" and close your eyes. I promise you, you will be hooked on this hidden gem of a rock star. It would be a crime if you weren't. Ruby Topaz: www.rubytopaz.com - ink 19
Discography
Albums:
All Brand New -1985
Change of Face -1989
Crystal Pick- 1992
Sound Track of Life : Crystal Pick II - 1995
Mark Bram/Ruby Topaz Again - 2002
Topaz Rarities 2007
Singles:
Why/The Sack - 1982
Hey, What Are You Doing - 2010 (download)
Come Back to Me - 2010 (download)
To The Top - 2010 (download)
Midnight Confessions - 2011 (download)
Photos
Bio
The music of Ruby Topaz displays raw emotional energy and exhibits a progressive blend of pop, rock, blues and fusion. The band's music varies so much that it is difficult to tack a label on their style. Their influences run the gamut from The Beatles, The Monkees, Hermans Hermits and various pop groups from the 60s to Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Mott The Hoople, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, and The Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Mark Bram, and his alter ego/band Ruby Topaz, have a long and colorful history on the Rhode Island music scene. In the 80’s, the Ruby Topaz single Why/ The Sack had some international success, and was played on the radio in England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. They played their progressive brand of glam rock in Rhode Island as well as CBGB’s , Gildersleeves, and L’Amour’s in New York and had the honor of being one of the opening acts for John Entwhistle, from the Who. Ruby Topaz has also opened for national acts who brought their tour to Rhode Island. Mark co-wrote ‘A Piece of Our Hearts’ with Al Gomes of BIGNOISE RECORDS for Rhode Island Bandwagon, a project to feed the homeless in Rhode Island.
In a live situation Mark plays lead guitar, lead vocals and keyboards along with the current live line up of Ruby Topaz (Steve D’Andrea on drums & backing vocals and Chris Hallam on bass & backing vocals), but in the studio Mark handles all the chores (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, guitar synth and keyboards, as well as the engineering), with Steve playing drums on most of the tracks. Mark has produced five CDs, available on CD Baby, itunes and other outlets through digital distribution through CD Baby.
In addition to recording and performing, Mark is a Grandmaster of the Lee Wah Yook Qi Quan system of internal Chinese martial arts, and teaches Yeung style Taijiquan in Providence, Rhode Island
Band Members
Links
