The Family Stand is an American

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...

and R&B group based in New York City, active since the late 1980s, consisting of

Sandra St. Victor Sandra Kay Matthews, known professionally as Sandra St. Victor, is a Dallas-born singer-songwriter most known for her work as lead singer of The Family Stand and their international hit single "Ghetto Heaven". She attended the now famous Booke ...

, Peter Lord Moreland, and V. Jeffrey Smith.

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 ''The Stand'' is a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy novel written by American author Stephen King and first published in 1978 by Doubleday. The plot centers on a deadly pandemic of weaponized influenza and its aftermath, in which the few surv ...

'', 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 An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

release was ''Chapters: A Novel By Evon Geffries & Stand''. ''Chain'' brought them their international hit "

Ghetto Heaven "Ghetto Heaven" is a song by American soul and R&B group the Family Stand, released in 1990 by Atlantic Records as the group's debut single, from their second album, ''Chain'' (1989). The song features vocals by lead-singer Sandra St. Victor, who ...

", which was

remix A remix (or reorchestration) is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes. The o ...

ed by Nellee Hooper & Jazzy B of

Soul II Soul Soul II Soul are a British musical collective formed in London in 1988. They are best known for their two major hits; 1989's UK number five and US number eleven " Keep On Movin'", and its follow-up, the UK number one and US number four " Back to ...

in 1990. The group's

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

"Ghetto Heaven" also reached #10 in the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

in April 1990. At the same time The Family Stand members were largely responsible for creating the

song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetitio ...

s on

Paula Abdul Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 and later became the head choreograph ...

'' Spellbound''. ''

Moon in Scorpio ''Moon in Scorpio'' is a 1987 American horror film directed by Gary Graver; and starring Britt Ekland, John Phillip Law and William Smith (actor), William Smith. Plot Newly married couple Linda and Allen plan to take a trip to Acapulco for the ...

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

''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 Keith Sweat (born July 22, 1961) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and an early figure in the new jack swing musical movement. He is known for his collection of hits including "I Want Her", " Make It Last Forever", "I'll Give A ...

'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 The City Parks Foundation is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer programs in parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The organization works in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports ...

, 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 Troy Donald Jamerson (born October 31, 1972), better known by his stage name Pharoahe Monch, is an American rapper from South Jamaica, Queens, New York. He is known for his complex lyrics, intricate delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhy ...

's 2011 album ''

W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) ''W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)'' is the third studio album of United States of America, American hip hop artist Pharoahe Monch released on March 22, 2011 under Duck Down Records. Producers include Lion's Share Music Group, Exile (producer), Exile, Ma ...

''. In 2013, The Family Stand contributed a track to a benefit album to raise funds for

Donovan Drayton Donovan Drayton is the son of guitarist Ronny Drayton. Drayton came into the spotlight when attention was drawn to what his father claims is a wrongful incarceration with no valid trial or charges. On July 25, 2013, Drayton was acquitted of all bu ...

's release from prison.http://4donovan.info/don/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4DonovanLinerCredits.pdf

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

External links

The Family Stand website

Sandra St.Victor website
*

The Family Stand The Family Stand is an American soul and R&B group based in New York City, active since the late 1980s, consisting of Sandra St. Victor, Peter Lord Moreland, and V. Jeffrey Smith. Evon Geffries & The Stand Their first incarnation was called ...

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

The Family Stand
at

Discogs Discogs (short for discographies) is a database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. While the site was originally created with a goal of becoming the la ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Family Stand American contemporary R&B musical groups