The Rubinoos

The Rubinoos
The Rubinoos 2010 La Spezia
Background information
Origin	Berkeley, California, United States
Genres	Power pop
Years active	1970–1985 1999–present
Labels	Wild Punk Records Air Mail Recordings Beserkley Records Warner Bros. Records Castle Communications Wounded Bird Records
Associated acts	Vox Pop The Mighty Echoes Psycotic Pineapple João Dilberto
Website	www.rubinoos.com
Members	Jon Rubin Tommy Dunbar Donn Spindt Al Chan
Past members	Greg 'Curly' Keranen Alex Carlin Ralph Granich Danny Woods Tom Carpender Royse Ader Michael Boyd

The Rubinoos are an American power pop band that formed in 1970 in Berkeley, California. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I Think We're Alone Now" (1977, a cover of the hit by Tommy James & the Shondells), "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" (1979), and for the theme song to the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds. Although "I Think We're Alone Now," reaching No. 45 in 1977, has been their only charting hit, the group has a significant enduring cult following among fans of the power-pop genre.

More recently, the group became known to a wider audience after filing a plagiarism lawsuit in mid-2007 against Canadian pop-punk musician Avril Lavigne claiming that her song "Girlfriend" had too much in common with "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend". The parties confidentially settled out of court in early 2008. The conflict led to a re-interest in the Rubinoos' music, particularly on YouTube.

In November, 1970 Tommy Dunbar and Jon Rubin formed the Rubinoos to play at a dance for Bay High School in Berkeley, California. Other founding members included Greg 'Curly' Keranen, Alex Carlin, Ralph Granich and Danny Wood. Inspired by siblings' 45s and the Cruisin' vintage radio recreations LP series, Jon Rubin and the Rubinoos played rock and roll oldies, including covers of songs by Chubby Checker, Bill Haley and the Comets, the Dovells, the Troggs, Little Eva, the Chiffons, and others.