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Mario Rubalcaba (also known by the pseudonym Ruby Mars) is an American drummer from San Diego, notable as a member of numerous rock bands including Clikatat Ikatowi, Thingy, Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes, Earthless, the Sultans, and Off! He has also played on albums by The Black Heart Procession and Pinback and was formerly a professional skateboarder.

Skateboarding career

[edit]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s Rubalcaba was a professional skateboarder, skating for Team Alva. Though he no longer skates professionally, he does work at Black Box, a skateboarding distribution company and skate park in San Diego.[1]

Musical career

[edit]

Rubalcaba's drumming career began in 1990 with the San Diego post-hardcore band 411. The group released the single Say It in 1990 and the album This Isn't Me in 1991 before disbanding. He next joined the hardcore punk band Chicano-Christ, playing on their eponymous 1991 album. In late 1993 Rubalcaba co-started the post-hardcore San Diego "supergroup" Clikatat Ikatowi (after the demise of Heroin), which included guitarist Scott Bartoloni, performing on Orchestrated & Conducted by Clikatat Ikatowi (1996) and August 29 + 30 1995 (1997) including Clikatat Ikatowi's final release, the EP River of Souls (posthumously released in 1998). In 1994 he became involved with the Louisville, Kentucky-based Metroschifter, a recently launched project of singer/guitarist Scott Ritcher. The four band members each lived in different cities and wrote songs by mailing recorded tracks back and forth to each other. The band's first tour in May 1994 was booked before the members had ever met each other in person, and they practiced together only twice before beginning the tour.[2] Their first album, The Metroschifter Capsule, was recorded two weeks after the band formed. Lacking the funds to mix and release it, they took pre-orders for personalized copies and raised enough money to release it on Ritcher's Slamdek label.[2] Rubalcaba recorded two singles with Metroschifter, For the Love of Basic Cable in December 1994 and Number One for a Second in May 1995, before leaving the group on good terms in December 1996.[2]

In 1997 he next joined the indie rock band Thingy, performing on the album Songs About Angels, Evil, and Running Around on Fire. From 1998 to 2000 Rubalcalba moved to Chicago; there he collaborated with guitarist Bill Skibbe and bassist Jessica Ruffins of The Jaks in an experimental, instrumental group called Sea of Tombs. Their recordings were later released as an eponymous EP in September 2001. In 1999 and 2000 he performed on four releases by The Black Heart Procession: on the tracks "A Light So Dim" and "It's a Crime I Never Told You About the Diamonds in Your Eyes" on the album 2, all tracks on the EPs Fish the Holes on Frozen Lakes and A Three Song Recording, and "A Heart Like Mine" on the album Three. All four releases also included contributions by Jason Crane of Rocket from the Crypt, a band that Rubalcaba would later join. 2000 also saw Rubalcaba's final recording with Thingy, on the album To the Innocent.

In September 2000 Rubalcaba returned to San Diego to join Rocket from the Crypt, replacing drummer Adam Willard. He performed on the albums Group Sounds (2001) and Live from Camp X-Ray (2002) and their accompanying tours. In 2001 he became a founding member of the instrumental psychedelic rock band Earthless with bassist Mike Eginton and guitarist Isaiah Mitchell. In 2002 he also joined a new lineup of the hardcore punk band Battalion of Saints, reuniting with Clikatat Ikatowi guitarist Scott Bartoloni.[3] In 2003 he joined Mannekin Piss, in which he played guitar with future Sultans bassist Dean Reis, performing on the 2004 EP Planet Death.[4] In 2004 he joined one of Rocket from the Crypt singer/guitarist John Reis' other bands, Hot Snakes, replacing drummer Jason Kourkounis. With Hot Snakes he performed on the album Audit in Progress (2004) and the Peel Sessions EP (2005). Earthless' debut Sonic Prayer was released in April 2005.

Rubalcaba (back) performing with John Reis in the Sultans at their final performance on January 10, 2007.

After a tour of Australia in Spring 2005 Hot Snakes announced their breakup. A live performance recorded that May for Australian radio station Triple J was released in 2006 as Thunder Down Under. Rocket from the Crypt soon announced their breakup as well; their final performance on Halloween 2005 was recorded and released in 2008 as R.I.P. In January 2006 Rubalcaba replaced Tony Di Prima in another of John Reis' bands, the Sultans, which also included Reis' brother and former Mannekin Piss bassist Dean Reis. The Sultans performed infrequently until their breakup a year later. In 2007 Earthless released their second album Rhythms from a Cosmic Sky. Later that year Rubalcaba performed on the track "From Nothing to Nowhere" on Pinback's album Autumn of the Seraphs and filled in for J Mascis in Witch for several live performances. In October 2008 Earthless released the live album Live at Roadburn, an album that documents the bands unexpected promotion to the “big stage” and a much larger crowd.[5] He is also part owner of the independent record store Thirsty Moon in the Hillcrest Area of San Diego.[1]

In 2009 Rubalcaba joined the hardcore punk supergroup Off! with singer Keith Morris, guitarist Dimitri Coats, and bassist Steven Shane McDonald.[6] The band's first album, First Four EPs, was released in 2010.

Discography

[edit]

This section lists albums and EPs on which Rubalcaba has performed.

Year Act Title Record label
1991 411 This Isn't Me Workshed
Chicano-Christ Chicano-Christ Nemesis
1994 Metroschifter The Metroschifter Capsule Slamdek/Conversion
1995 Metroschifter Fort Saint Metroschifter Doghouse
1996 Clikatat Ikatowi Orchestrated and Conducted by Clikatat Ikatowi Gravity
1997 August 29 + 30 1995
Thingy Songs About Angels, Evil, and Running Around on Fire Headhunter
1998 Clikatat Ikatowi River of Souls Gravity
1999 The Black Heart Procession 2 Touch and Go
Fish the Holes on Frozen Lakes Galaxia
A Three Song Recording Up
2000 Thingy To the Innocent Absolutely Kosher
The Black Heart Procession Three Touch and Go
2001 Rocket from the Crypt Group Sounds Vagrant
Sea of Tombs Sea of Tombs Gravity
2002 Rocket from the Crypt Live from Camp X-Ray Vagrant
2004 Mannekin Piss Planet Death Flapping Jet
Hot Snakes Audit in Progress Swami
2005 Peel Sessions
Earthless Sonic Prayer Gravity
2006 Hot Snakes Thunder Down Under Swami
2007 Earthless Rhythms from a Cosmic Sky Tee Pee
Pinback Autumn of the Seraphs Touch and Go
2008 Rocket from the Crypt R.I.P. Vagrant
Earthless Live at Roadburn Tee Pee
2010 Off! First Four EPs Vice
2012 Off!
2014 Wasted Years
2018 Earthless Black Heaven Nuclear Blast
2018 From The West Silver Current Records

References

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Mario Rubalcaba

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Mario Rubalcaba (also known as Ruby Mars) is an American drummer and professional skateboarder from Vista, California, best known for his versatile contributions to the punk, hardcore, and rock music scenes through bands such as 411, Clikatat Ikatowi, Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes, Earthless, and OFF!, while also pioneering modern street skateboarding as a member of Team Alva. Born and raised in Vista, near San Diego, Rubalcaba began skateboarding at age six or seven using his uncle's boards and was influenced by punk rock starting in sixth grade, when a friend introduced him to bands like Bad Brains, Black Flag, and Discharge, alongside local acts such as Pitchfork and Heroin. His early exposure to metal and punk through friends shaped his musical path, leading him to form his first band, Committed, in the late 1980s with guitarist Marc Hostetter. By 1990, he launched his drumming career with the seminal San Diego hardcore bands 411 and Clikatat Ikatowi, where his distinctive style quickly elevated their profiles in the underground scene. Rubalcaba's musical career spans diverse genres, from hardcore and to and psych-rock, with influences including kosmische musik, , , and songwriters like and . He joined influential groups like in the , contributing to their energetic rock sound, and later played with , Sultans, The Black Heart Procession, in 2002, fronting Spider Fever as singer and guitarist, and the high-energy punk outfit OFF!, which debuted at SXSW and released the First Four EPs box set via Vice Records. Since the , he has been a core member of , known for extended improvisational jams, and has collaborated on projects like a 2018 performance with CAN's vocalist. His adaptability across styles—from hardcore to stoner metal—has made him a sought-after session and touring drummer. In , Rubalcaba turned professional in the early during challenging industry times, riding for Alva Skates and helping innovate street skating techniques while competing on vert ramps, mini ramps, and streets. His first Alva advertisement appeared in April , followed by his debut skate photo in November of that year, and at age 15, he placed first or second in a contest, securing his spot on the team. He traveled internationally for demos and competitions, including trips to and at 16, and maintains a signature model with and a lifestyle shoe with Kingston . Today, Rubalcaba resides in with his family, co-owns Thirsty Moon Records in Hillcrest, and remains active in both and skating, collecting vinyl records as a hi-fi enthusiast.

Early life

Upbringing in San Diego

Mario Rubalcaba was born on July 23, 1972, in , , and raised in the nearby city of Vista, just north of . Growing up in this coastal environment during the 1970s and 1980s, he was immersed in a region known for its vibrant youth subcultures, including the emerging and scenes that would later define much of his life. Family played a key role in his early musical exposure, particularly through an uncle who tinkered with guitar and owned classic 1970s rock gear, including a and an amplifier. This familial connection sparked an initial interest in music and instruments, setting the stage for Rubalcaba's deeper engagement with and punk sounds. In his early school years, Rubalcaba's introduction to came in when his friend Ned Hadden made him a cassette tape featuring bands like GBH, Discharge, and . He soon expanded his listening to include influential acts such as , Black Flag, and Discharge, drawn to their raw energy and DIY ethos, while saving lunch money to buy records at local shops. The local area's thriving underground punk community, with its house shows, zines, and independent venues, further shaped his fascination with these rebellious subcultures during his youth. As a teenager, Rubalcaba transitioned into hands-on involvement with —starting around age six or seven using his uncle's boards—and music, activities that intertwined with the punk scene's spirit of creativity and nonconformity.

Initial influences in music and skateboarding

During his adolescence in , Mario Rubalcaba was first exposed to skateboarding culture in the vibrant local scenes of the , beginning as early as age six or seven with his uncle's boards from the 1970s era—his uncle being an accomplished skater of that decade—before transitioning to and returning to skating in with a Santa Cruz setup after his bike was stolen. Growing up in the Vista area near , he frequented pools and ramps during the heyday of influential skaters like those from Team Alva, which shaped his early immersion in the sport's raw, community-driven ethos. At the same time, in , his concurrent discovery of through the tape from Ned Hadden ignited a passion that intertwined with his interests, leading him to explore the genre deeply and connect with local acts like , , and , whose high-energy performances and DIY spirit mirrored the adrenaline of skate sessions and bridged the two subcultures in his life. This environment encouraged him to see music and as complementary outlets for and creativity. Inspired by the aggressive punk rhythms he encountered and the dynamic beats in skate videos, Rubalcaba made his first attempts at drumming around age 13 or 14, having played sporadically as a young child before a hiatus during his BMX phase; these early efforts were self-taught and driven by the raw energy of the scenes he inhabited.

Skateboarding career

Professional period with Team Alva

Mario Rubalcaba joined Team Alva as a professional around 1989, at the age of 17, following a strong performance in a contest where he placed first or second. Sponsored by the brand founded by , Rubalcaba quickly became part of the team during a transitional period in , as the late-1980s boom began to wane and the industry faced lean times. His skating style exemplified all-terrain versatility (ATV), allowing him to excel across , ramp, vert, and mini-ramp disciplines at a time when specialization was emerging. As one of the early all-around skaters, Rubalcaba contributed to advancing street skating while maintaining proficiency in transitional and vertical terrain, performing demos and competing worldwide with teammates like Dave Duncan and John Fallahee. At age 16, he traveled internationally to and for exhibitions, showcasing his adaptability in diverse settings. Rubalcaba's visibility in the skate scene grew through notable media appearances, including his first Alva advertisement in April 1990 and his debut skate photo in the November 1990 issue of Thrasher magazine's "" feature. He also featured in the 1990 Team Alva video Out of Focus, which highlighted his technical prowess alongside riders like , , and Craig Johnson. These exposures cemented his role in the brand's roster during an era of evolving aesthetics and reduced sponsorship opportunities. By the mid-1990s, Rubalcaba transitioned away from professional skating, as industry trends shifted toward smaller wheels and looser pants, and he increasingly focused on other pursuits. This period marked the end of his competitive pro career, though his foundational contributions to versatile skating endured in the sport's history.

Industry roles and ongoing involvement

Following his professional skateboarding tenure with Team Alva in the late 1980s and early , Rubalcaba transitioned into industry roles that sustained his connection to the world amid his growing commitments to music. In the late , he joined Black Box Distribution, a San Diego-based company founded by that distributes brands such as Zero, Mystery, and Fallen, where he held various positions including sales, production, logistics, and warehouse duties for nearly five years. These flexible roles allowed him to balance employment with touring schedules for his bands, reflecting the practical demands of his dual pursuits in and music. Rubalcaba's involvement with Black Box exemplified his post-pro contributions to the skateboarding ecosystem, supporting distribution and operations during a period of industry growth in the early . Beyond formal employment, he has remained engaged through community ties, including collaborations and mentorship that bridge generations of skaters. For instance, he has shared skate sessions and offered guidance to younger figures like , son of , influencing Hawk's approach to combining skating with music in projects like the band Petyr; their interactions highlight Rubalcaba's role in preserving skate 's DIY ethos. Today, Rubalcaba maintains an active personal skating practice, often joining contemporaries at local curbs, parks, and ramps in , where he focuses on consistent tricks despite reduced intensity from touring. This ongoing engagement underscores his enduring influence on emerging skaters, who draw inspiration from his all-terrain versatility and transition-era experiences, fostering a legacy of accessible, community-driven .

Musical career

Early bands in the 1990s

Mario Rubalcaba launched his drumming career in 1990 with the post-hardcore band , where his early exposure to punk influences from youth shaped a raw, energetic style that drove the group's performances. The band released a single that year, followed by the album Depression Session in 1991, during which Rubalcaba toured the U.S. and solidified his role in the local scene. Concurrently, Rubalcaba played guitar in the outfit Chicano-Christ in 1991, contributing to their self-titled 7-inch EP that packed twelve blistering tracks into twelve minutes, showcasing his versatility beyond drums in the intense hardcore milieu. In late 1993, Rubalcaba co-founded Clikatat Ikatowi with guitarist Scott Bartoloni, drumming for the band until its dissolution in 1998 and helping release key works like the 1998 EP River of Souls. His propulsive, instantly identifiable drumming—characterized by fast, grindcore-influenced beats—became central to the band's angular sound, distinguishing it within San Diego's vibrant punk underground. Rubalcaba extended his reach from 1994 to 1996 as drummer for Metroschifter, appearing on recordings such as The Metroschifter Capsule and joining their 1996–1997 European tour, where his dynamic playing supported the band's experimental punk edge. By 1997, Rubalcaba had joined Thingy on drums, staying through 2000 and using the project to experiment with melodic and noise elements, bridging his formative 1990s work to broader musical explorations in the scene.

Mid-career projects including Rocket From The Crypt

In the late 1990s, Rubalcaba spent a few years in before returning to his native , a move prompted by an opportunity in the local music scene. During his time in , he played in the instrumental post/ group Sea of Tombs. In 2000, he joined the influential San Diego punk band as their drummer, adopting the alias Ruby Mars in keeping with the group's tradition of pseudonyms for its members. This pseudonym not only fit the band's theatrical style but also strengthened bonds among the musicians, who shared a deep connection through their mutual immersion in the high-energy culture of the region. Rubalcaba's tenure with lasted until the band's hiatus in 2005, during which he provided dynamic drumming on their 2001 album and supported extensive touring that solidified the group's reputation for energetic live performances. The band reunited in 2013 for a series of shows, with Rubalcaba resuming his role as Ruby Mars and contributing to the renewed excitement around their catalog of punk anthems. His early 1990s drumming experience in hardcore bands served as essential groundwork for the technical demands and collaborative intensity of these projects. Parallel to his work with , Rubalcaba expanded his mid-career portfolio through other collaborations in the and punk spheres. In 2002, he joined a new lineup of the band , reuniting with Clikatat Ikatowi guitarist Scott Bartoloni. He joined in 2004, drumming for the band through 2005 as they recorded their final studio album at the time, Audit in Progress, at a . In 2006, he replaced Tony Di Prima in the Sultans, another John Reis-led project, and participated in tours including the Swami California Field Trip before the band's dissolution in 2007. Rubalcaba also lent his skills to side projects with The Black Heart Procession, serving as part of their core lineup on albums like Amore del Tropico, and contributed drums to recordings, enhancing the band's intricate sound.

Current bands and recent activities

Rubalcaba has maintained his role as the drummer for since the band's formation in 2001, contributing to their signature sound characterized by extended improvisational jams and heavy riffing. As at the 2018 , collaborated with CAN vocalist . The group has remained active through the , with notable tours including Bay Area performances in November 2024 and an Australian tour in September 2025, featuring shows in and . From 2009 to 2012, Rubalcaba fronted the band Spider Fever on vocals and guitar. He was a founding member of the supergroup Off! in 2009, serving as drummer until the band's disbandment following their final tour in 2024. Off! released the compilation First Four EPs in 2010, capturing their raw, high-energy live performances, and continued with sporadic shows emphasizing short, aggressive bursts of punk fury. In 2025, Rubalcaba debuted a new collaboration called alongside bassist Justin Pearson, contributing to the Cult and Culture compilation LP on Three One G Records with the track "This World's a Dahmer," blending extreme music elements from their roots. Rubalcaba's drumming has evolved to showcase versatility across genres, adapting precise, relentless hardcore patterns in Off! to the fluid, expansive grooves of in , drawing influences like while maintaining a foundation in punk's intensity. In interviews, Rubalcaba has reflected on his career longevity, noting in a discussion how three decades of diverse projects have sustained his passion for live performance and experimentation. He reiterated this in 2024 podcast appearances, emphasizing the role of prior band experiences in enabling his ongoing adaptability.

Other pursuits

Record store ownership

Mario Rubalcaba co-founded Thirsty Moon Records in April 2005 with fellow musicians Mike Eginton and Jeff McDaniel, establishing the independent store in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood at 525 Evans Place, a compact 350-square-foot space previously occupied by a shop and located behind the drugstore. As part-owner, Rubalcaba helped launch the venture amid a resurgence in vinyl collecting, driven by dissatisfaction with mainstream music retail options in the area. The store quickly positioned itself as a niche destination for music aficionados seeking alternatives to corporate chains. Thirsty Moon's inventory emphasized rare and obscure recordings, with roughly half vinyl and half CDs spanning genres like 1960s , , garage funk, , and indie releases—totaling around 2,400 items at opening. This curation reflected Rubalcaba's personal tastes, shaped by his longstanding career in San Diego's punk and rock bands such as , , and , allowing the store to import titles from specialized labels and distributors that were unavailable at other local outlets. By prioritizing underground and hard-to-find material, the owners aimed to educate and expand listeners' horizons rather than maximize profits. The store played a significant role in bolstering San Diego's punk and indie communities, acting as a hub for enthusiasts and local musicians by providing access to essential, often imported records that fueled the city's underground scene. Endorsed by figures like founder , who promoted it on his Swami Sound System radio show, Thirsty Moon fostered connections within the psychedelic and punk circuits despite its limited space precluding regular in-store events. Rubalcaba's active involvement in the early years contributed to its reputation as one of the region's top spots for obscure rock, sustaining operations for eight years until its closure in 2013.

Hi-fi collecting and equipment preferences

Mario Rubalcaba maintains an extensive collection that reflects his deep appreciation for a wide array of genres, including the robotic of kosmische Musik such as , proto-punk, psychedelic rock, hardcore, funk, , and influences like the polyrhythmic swing of the Quartet, as well as tuneful songwriting from artists like and . His collecting habits emphasize rare and eclectic finds, such as bootlegs of Led Zeppelin and , garage compilations, death and records, and specific treasures like the box set, albums, and a $1 copy of This Heat's debut LP. This passion extends to his former co-ownership of Thirsty Moon Records in , which served as an outlet to share obscure music with others. Rubalcaba continues to collect and share vinyl records through his account (@chimbot), focusing on his personal hi-fi listening experiences. As a dedicated hi-fi enthusiast, Rubalcaba has invested in upgrading his home system to enhance the listening experience, prioritizing setups that deliver high-quality playback without excessive cost. His early exposure to musical equipment came through his uncle, who owned a prized guitar paired with a powerful amp, sparking Rubalcaba's interest in sound and instrumentation from a young age. In interviews, Rubalcaba has discussed his drumming gear preferences, favoring for their versatility across projects. With , he employs an all-black Ludwig setup including a Keystone X configuration (24" bass drum, 13" and 15" toms) and a 6.5" snare, as seen in live performances. His signature kit is the Pro Beat Outfit in Vintage Blue Oyster finish, featuring a 24" x 14" bass drum, 16" x 16" floor tom, and 13" x 9" tom, which he used on 's album recorded at . In 2010, for Off!, Rubalcaba adopted a 28-inch bass drum, which he called "Big Bertha," after previously using 24- to 26-inch sizes, drawing inspiration from John Bonham's setup. His current endorsement features a 24-inch bass drum.

Discography

Releases with early bands

Rubalcaba's earliest recorded contributions came with the band , where he handled drums on the 1990 single "Say It," a raw, aggressive track capturing the band's intense live energy. The following year, 411 released their debut album This Isn't Me in 1991, featuring Rubalcaba's driving percussion across 10 tracks of frenetic hardcore, recorded at Westbeach Recorders and emphasizing themes of alienation and urgency. In 1993, Rubalcaba joined Clikatat Ikatowi as drummer for their debut full-length Alive and Well... In a Landfill, a 12-track album blending post-hardcore with math rock elements, released on Gravity Records; his precise, dynamic playing supported the band's angular riffs and emotional vocals. The group followed with the 1995 EP River of Souls, a six-song vinyl release also on Gravity, where Rubalcaba's intricate rhythms propelled tracks like "Trials and Tribulations of Diana Smith" and "Pleiadian Dance," showcasing evolving experimental textures. Clikatat Ikatowi's final album with Rubalcaba, Larceny, Lust and Other Sins (1998), expanded to 11 tracks on the same label, with his drumming providing propulsive foundations for the band's shift toward more atmospheric post-rock influences. Rubalcaba contributed drums to several Metroschifter releases between 1994 and 1996, including the 1994 split 7-inch with and the 1995 album Receiver, a collection of mathy instrumentals where his technical prowess shone on tracks like "Link" and "Whatever's Wrong With Me Is Here to Stay." Additional 1995-1996 outputs, such as The Metroschifter Capsule and Fort Saint Metroschifter, featured Rubalcaba's explosive, concise style augmented by string arrangements on select pieces. Rubalcaba drummed on Thingy's Emotional Ghost Swing! (1999), an album recorded between 1997 and 2000 and released on Headhunter Records, comprising 12 tracks of indie rock with emo undertones; his versatile rhythms underpinned Rob Crow's melodic songwriting and the band's layered arrangements. Mario Rubalcaba joined Rocket From The Crypt in September 2000 as their drummer under the alias Ruby Mars, contributing to the band's polished punk sound during the early 2000s. His first major release with the group was the studio album Group Sounds, released in 2001 on Vagrant Records, which featured high-energy tracks like "Straight American Slave" and showcased Rubalcaba's dynamic drumming style alongside John Reis's guitar work and John "Speedo" Reis's vocals. The album marked a shift toward more accessible rock elements while retaining the band's raw edge. In 2002, Rubalcaba (as Ruby Mars) performed on the live album Live from Camp X-Ray, recorded during a in , , and released by . The recording captured the band's energetic stage presence across 10 tracks spanning their catalog, with Rubalcaba's trap kit driving the punk-infused set. Following the band's initial breakup in 2005, reunited in 2013 with Rubalcaba on drums, leading to limited releases including the 7-inch single "Love Is Lies" b/w "Old Scars, Rock Bars," issued on Swami Records, which revived their garage-punk vigor. Another reunion output was the 7-inch "Spinning Round" b/w "In League with Satan," also on Swami Records in 2013, highlighting Rubalcaba's precise rhythms in covers and originals. Rubalcaba's work with during this period included the 2004 album Audit in Progress on Swami Records, where he provided drums for all tracks, contributing to the band's tense sound on songs like "Braintrust" and "Plenty for All." The following year, 2005, saw the release of the Peel Sessions EP on Swami Records and One Little Indian, featuring four tracks recorded for , with Rubalcaba's runaway percussion propelling raw renditions of "Automatic Midnight" and "Our Thoughts Are Full of Mud." Following ' reunion in 2018, Rubalcaba continued as drummer on the studio album Jericho Sirens (Sub Pop Records), a 10-track return to their angular style with tracks like "I Need to Be in Car" and "Jericho Sirens," emphasizing taut rhythms and Froberg's urgent vocals. The band issued the 7-inch single "Checkmate" b/w "Death Camp" in 2019 (Sub Pop Records), showcasing Rubalcaba's propulsive beats in two new originals. In 2020, they released the 7-inch "I Shall Be Free" b/w "There's a Party" (Sub Pop Records), further highlighting his dynamic style on fresh material. With the Sultans, Rubalcaba drummed on the 2007 album Enjoy the Poison, recorded in 2006 and released on Three Imaginary Girls Records, blending and punk on tracks like "Time to Go" amid the band's short-lived run from 2000 to 2007. Beyond these core bands, Rubalcaba made mid-period contributions to related projects. He played drums on select tracks of The Black Heart Procession's Three (2000, ), including "A Heart Like Mine," augmenting the group's gothic indie sound. Similarly, on Pinback's Autumn of the Seraphs (2007, ), Rubalcaba drummed on the opening track "From Nothing to Nowhere," adding propulsive energy to the indie rock outfit's intricate arrangements.

Releases with Earthless and Off!

Mario Rubalcaba joined the psychedelic rock trio in 2001, contributing drums to all of their recordings, which emphasize extended instrumental jams and heavy riffing. Their debut album, Sonic Prayer (2005, Gravity Records), features Rubalcaba's driving percussion across five tracks, including the 18-minute title track that showcases the band's improvisational live energy captured in studio form. The follow-up, Rhythms from a Cosmic Sky (2007, Tee Pee Records), expands on this with Rubalcaba providing rhythmic foundation for multi-part suites like the 21-minute "Godspeed," blending cosmic with progressive structures. Earthless's 2013 release From the Ages (Tee Pee Records) marked a refinement in production, with Rubalcaba's precise yet dynamic drumming supporting guitarist Isaiah Mitchell's soaring leads on tracks such as the 17-minute "Governments" and the epic closer "End to End." In 2016, the band issued the split EP Acid Crusher with Mount Swan (Ride for Revenge Records), where Rubalcaba performs on Earthless's side, including the title track's relentless, fuzzed-out assault. Black Heaven (2018, Nuclear Blast), their first album with vocals from Mitchell, highlights Rubalcaba's versatile style on songs like "Black Heaven" and "Volt Rush," integrating punk-inflected energy into psychedelic frameworks. Live releases include Live at Roadburn 2008 (2011, Tee Pee Records), From the West (2018, Silver Current Records), capturing a San Francisco performance with extended jams, and Live in the Mojave Desert (2021, All Aboard Records), a live session emphasizing immersive psych-rock. The band's most recent studio effort, Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (2022, Nuclear Blast), consists of two expansive tracks totaling over an hour, with Rubalcaba anchoring the rhythm section on the 41-minute title piece (split into parts) and the 21-minute "Death to the Red Sun," emphasizing trance-like grooves and thematic cohesion. No new studio releases from appeared by 2025, though the band maintained touring activity.
ReleaseYearLabelKey Tracks Featuring Rubalcaba's Drumming
Sonic Prayer2005Gravity RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Sonic Prayer," "Atom Bomb")
Rhythms from a Cosmic Sky2007Tee Pee RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Godspeed," "Cherry Red")
Live at Roadburn 20082011Tee Pee RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Godspeed," "Sonic Prayer")
From the Ages2013Tee Pee RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Governments," "End to End")
Crusher (split EP)2016Ride for RevengeEarthless tracks (e.g., " Crusher")
2018Nuclear BlastAll tracks (e.g., "," "Electric Flame")
From the West (live)2018Silver Current RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Godspeed," "From the Ages")
Night Parade of One Hundred Demons2022Nuclear BlastAll tracks ("Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Parts 1 & 2)," "Death to the Red Sun")
Live in the (live)2021All Aboard RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Sonic Prayer," "")
Rubalcaba was the original drummer for the supergroup Off!, formed in 2009, providing aggressive, high-speed beats that defined their raw, minimalist sound until lineup shifts in the late . Their debut compilation The First Four EPs (2010, Vice Records) collects four 7-inch singles, with Rubalcaba drumming on all 16 tracks, including blistering cuts like "Killed A Cop" and "What's Next," emphasizing short, furious bursts under 90 seconds each. The full-length Disgrace to the Race (2012, Vice Records) expands to 18 tracks, where Rubalcaba's relentless propulsion powers Keith Morris's snarling vocals on songs such as "King of the Rat Bastards" and "The Brutalist Effect," maintaining the band's no-frills punk ethos. (2014, Vice Records) continues this intensity across 19 tracks, with Rubalcaba's drumming driving tracks like "Noisy" and "Time Panic," recorded live to tape for added rawness; this was the final studio release with the original lineup including Rubalcaba. Rubalcaba departed Off! following internal changes around 2019, missing subsequent releases like the SLV EP (2019, ) and Free LSD (2022, ), which featured new drummers and others. He rejoined briefly in 2023 for select shows and returned for the band's farewell performances in July 2024 at venues in New York, , and , but no new recordings emerged from this period.
ReleaseYearLabelKey Tracks Featuring Rubalcaba's Drumming
The First Four EPs2010Vice RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Killed A Cop," "Darkness Time")
Disgrace to the Race2012Vice RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Severed Head," "Poison the Medicine")
Wasted Years2014Vice RecordsAll tracks (e.g., "Wasted Years," "High Conflict")

References

  1. https://www.mariorubalcaba.com/career
  2. https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/mario-rubalcaba-interview/
  3. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/mario-rubalcaba/
  4. https://hozacrecords.com/bands/spider-fever/
  5. https://sailorjerry.com/en-gb/blog/post/outside-the-lines-earthless-drummer-mario-rubalcaba
  6. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12067690
  7. https://www.thetrapset.net/066-mario-rubalcaba-off-earthless-rocket-from-the-crypt-etc/
  8. https://www.skatevideosite.com/videos/alva-out-of-focus
  9. https://www.saladdaysmag.com/mario-rubalcaba-from-off-interview-original-version/
  10. https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/riley-hawk-mario-rubalcaba-talk-stoner-rock-skating-sacking-nuts-shows/
  11. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/cbs-sf-talks-to-earthless-drummer-mario-rubalcaba-part-1/
  12. https://daily.bandcamp.com/album-of-the-day/clikatat-ikatowi-the-trials-and-tribulations-of-review
  13. https://www.metroschifter.com/history/
  14. https://slamdek.com/the-metroschifter-capsule/
  15. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/cbs-sf-talks-to-earthless-drummer-mario-rubalcaba-part-2/
  16. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rocket-from-the-crypt-push-through-fierce-top-secret-reunion-show-189268/
  17. https://www.subpop.com/releases/hot_snakes/audit_in_progress
  18. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/sultans/
  19. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/black-heart-procession
  20. https://www.spin.com/2007/10/pinback-autumn-seraphs-touch-and-go/
  21. https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2018/07/earthless-interview-with-mario-rubalcaba.html
  22. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/explosive-heavy-psych-power-trio-earthless-bay-area-shows/
  23. https://www.ticketmaster.com/earthless-tickets/artist/1479506
  24. https://davidroywilliams.com/tours/earthless-2025/
  25. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/spider-fever/
  26. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-07-26/off-final-show-keith-morris-belasco-theater-free-lsd-film
  27. https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2025/11/03/track-premiere-coma-this-worlds-a-dahmer/
  28. https://www.therockpit.net/2018/interview-mario-rubalcaba-earthless-2018/
  29. https://www.instagram.com/p/CzW627wJhpY/
  30. https://summerofstruggle.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/earthless-mario-rubalcaba-off-interview/
  31. https://www.instagram.com/chimbot/
  32. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156376942698529&id=25815273528&set=a.113102518528
  33. https://www.mariorubalcaba.com/endorsements
  34. https://magnetmagazine.com/2010/12/05/from-the-desk-of-offs-mario-rubalcaba-28-inch-bass-drums/
  35. https://www.discogs.com/artist/330175-411-2
  36. https://www.discogs.com/release/1421786-411-This-Isnt-Me
  37. https://www.discogs.com/artist/803214-Clikatat-Ikatowi
  38. https://www.discogs.com/master/561934-Clikatat-Ikatowi-River-Of-Souls
  39. https://www.metroschifter.com/discography/
  40. https://www.discogs.com/artist/303763-Metroschifter
  41. https://www.discogs.com/artist/263256-Thingy
  42. https://www.discogs.com/master/58829-Rocket-From-The-Crypt-Group-Sounds
  43. https://www.discogs.com/master/58837-Rocket-From-The-Crypt-Live-From-Camp-X-Ray
  44. https://www.discogs.com/release/5157800-Rocket-From-The-Crypt-Love-Is-Lies
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/5193470-Rocket-From-The-Crypt-Spinning-Round
  46. https://www.discogs.com/master/46973-Hot-Snakes-Audit-In-Progress
  47. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3933-peel-sessions-ep/
  48. https://www.discogs.com/master/46982-Hot-Snakes-Peel-Sessions
  49. https://www.subpop.com/releases/hot_snakes/jericho_sirens
  50. https://www.subpop.com/releases/hot_snakes/i_shall_be_free
  51. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1092017-Sultans
  52. https://earthless.bandcamp.com/album/rhythms-from-a-cosmic-sky-2
  53. https://earthless.bandcamp.com/album/night-parade-of-one-hundred-demons
  54. https://www.discogs.com/release/3589673-OFF-OFF
  55. https://exclaim.ca/music/article/off-announce-final-shows
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