Bio

Funk, Reggae, Rock – Proven instant appeal to a diverse audience.

The People UpStairs have quickly become well known across South Florida as THE quality local act with a sound audiences immediately connect with. The People UpStairs combine modern rock-funk with a groovy island touch and Latin rhythm to bridge barriers and broaden appeal. After hundreds of live shows and distributing thousands of demo CD’s, the diversity of their fans has been proven to span all races and ages. Immediate reactions are immensely positive and the fans’ loyalty only increases the more they listen.

The ensemble includes vocals, bass guitar, lead guitar, drum set, and a plethora of auxiliary percussion. Each member has been playing music since at least the 6th grade with many receiving extensive formal training.

The People UpStairs – who draw their name from their practice studio, a loft snugly sitting upstairs above a plumbing company’s shop – are in demand all over Florida for their crowd-pleasing live performances. The band has traveled to Florida State’s Tallahassee, the University of Florida’s Gainesville, and the University of South Florida’s Tampa at the venues’ request (and expense) to have The People UpStairs entertain their college-town audiences. At home in South Florida, The People UpStairs (often fondly referred to as TPUS) have become advertised regulars in several venues with establishments competing to book the band on high-traffic nights.

Performing at Sunfest in 2009, supporting Damian Marley, 311, Slightly Stupid and Pepper.

Also, performing a Military New Years Eve bash on Andros Island in the Bahamas.

Selling out clubs and venues in the regional area is becoming more of the norm for the band. And Itunes and Amazon sales have been increasing over the past two to three years.

The People UpStairs released their debut album in 2005, Synchrofunkinicty, under Hoot Recordings. Hoot is an independent label that are backed by Florida Atlantic University.

Their second full length album will be released in spring 2011, and will be self-released and distributed by the band. The album entitled “For the People, By the People” featues all new material and is set to be the best recoding of the bands exsistance.

The band is generally booked two months in advance, and performs more than 150 shows per year.

Instrumentation
Casey Buckley: Vocals/Percussion
Chris Prestia: Guitar
Tony Rangel: Bass/Vocals
Jose Rangel: Percussion/Trumpet
Gabe Rangel: Drums

Discography
LP : “Synchrofunkinicity”
Copyright Hoot Recordings/TPUS, 2004
In affiliation with Florida Atlantic University

LP: “Live at the University of Miami”
Copyright The People UpStairs 2005

Single: “The Cave”
Three song demo.
Copyright : The People UpStairs 2009

LP: “For the People, By the People”
Copyright TPUS/ The People UpStairs, 2011