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Joe Rubino is a barber. Mike Marge is a teacher. Matt Legrady is an irrigation expert. And Joe Garces is a carpenter.
All we can say is that these guys should quit their day jobs!
When the Long Island quartet takes the stage they’re The Ice Cold Killers.
They’re working class punk (honest, straightforward, and sweaty) and they’re really good.
We listened to the band’s new album Stories from the Grave and its sound skirts into Ramones and Social Distortion territory.
Turn this album up and let these hot-blooded assassins take their best shot.
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NAME: Joe Rubino
BAND: The Ice Cold Killers
POSITION: Lead Vox and Bass Guitar
HOMETOWN: Shirley, New York
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1. What is your earliest musical memory?
My earliest musical memory was of my father. He was the baddest rock ‘n’ roller and bass player back in the 70s. Music has always been a huge part of my life growing up and the bass was always our top choice.
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2. What has been your most embarrassing musical moment?
Honestly I’ve been pretty lucky. I think the only time I ever felt weird was my first show I ever played… Luckily it was just stage fright… but I definitely can’t stand when someone’s out of tune… that just feels unprofessional.
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3. What do you like and dislike about touring?
I’ve always loved touring. Meeting new faces. Seeing new places. And returning to the faces and places you’ve met through past tours … I’ve always been a bit of a roamer… This world is a big place. Yet a small one. So any tour should be a gift in more ways than one… Obviously there will be duds and sometimes we would get to a show that didn’t exist. But traveling is what it’s all about for me, playing music while doing so is the bonus.
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4. What is your favorite record store, anywhere in the world?
Generation Records is the punk rock and hardcore staple in New York City. And a record store that deserves the attention here… not to mention our new album Stories From The Grave will be pressed on vinyl through Mark and Generation Records as well… so that makes ’em even more a favorite of ours.
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5. Other than your own music, what is your favorite song or album of all-time? Why?
So hard to pick a favorite. I’m all over the place when it comes to music. I love the sweet sounds of Johnny Cash and rockabilly music in general. I love punk rock and hardcore which I grew up on as well as the 70s bands my dad had us listening to… I have many favorites from different stages of my life… and I think that’s clear from listening to our music… Music is life. Life is filled with many emotions and feelings — and way too many great bands with great records… It would be unfair to pigeon hole it.
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6. You wake up in a seedy Berlin hotel room with no recollection of the past 96 hours. Who is your first call?
Funny thing is… I actually have lost a few hours in Germany. And when i returned to the scene it was definitely a different place than I had left… In those situations I wouldn’t trust anyone… lay low and let clarity come… it’s always the cover up that gets ya! Haha!
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Lead-In Image Courtesy of The Ice Cold Killers and photographer Paul Travers
