Rubix Kube: The 80s Have Never Been This Much Fun

They’re a little bit Punk, a whole lot of Rock n’ Roll with a healthy portion of Pop bundled into a stage show of miasmic crazy, frothy fun. But, that is why their fans love them. Rubix Kube takes you back to the 80s, a fantastic voyage of bold, kaleidoscope colors paired with a nostalgic purview into 80s music as we would like to remember it, crazy, uncensored, unabashedly liberating and free of restrictions. Yeah, that is what 80s music was all about!!

“As an entire decade of music, 80s music is the most fun … When you think of the 80s, you immediately smile,” contends David Zablidowsky, Rubix Kube bass player and vocalist. Rubix Kube lead singer Cherie Martorana continues, “Out of all the decades of music, the 80s has the most genres within that decade. Every decade has one or two genres, but in the 80s there was Punk, Dance, New Wave, Hair Metal, Pop, Rap, and R&B. And every one had money and was happy.”

And happiness and frenzied joy is what Rubix Kube brings to their fans.  They have even found a unique way to make Punk, a music genre that speaks to political outrage and nihilism, a pleasurable stroll down 80s memory lane.  Vocalist Scott Lovelady who has an uncanny resemblance to Billy Idol explains, “We also perform Billy Idol, Adam Ant, The Clash, Oingo Bongo, Bow Wow Wow, Missing Persons, Nena, Vapors, the Thompson Twins; even early Duran Duran. You have to understand that by the mid-80s Punk was a lot more melodic which made it appealing to a wider audience.  It still had a rebellious message but was more radio friendly.”

Still, whether finding a way to make 80s Punk more palatable or successfully mixing all the 80s genres onstage in one show, Rubix Kube guarantees to give audiences the complete 80s experience. “There are other 80s cover bands that try to do what we do. But they sound like they are covering the music from the 80s. Rubix Kube doesn’t cover the music; we sound like the 80s artists themselves. We are a tribute band, not a cover band. We re-create the 80s onstage in our music, in our dress, and also in our attitude,” explains David Z.

Images courtesy of DeWolf Photography

And a 80s experience it is. From Cherie Martorana prancing around in Betsey Johnson frocks to David Z conjuring up images of David Lee Roth in zebra spandex tights to Scott Lovelady performing Spandau Ballet in a 80s Armani suit, Rubix Kube leaves no 80s stone unturned. “We love performing Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” admits Drummer John Laspina. “Although Cherie performs that tune, sometimes we parody other songs and the guys gets to wear some feminine clothes onstage,” continues Laspina jokingly.

David Zablidowsky in a bustier and garters, hmm, I don’t know? Maybe Rubix Kube should contact The Blonds.

—William S. Gooch