For frontman Rich Kubicz, forming a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band was a no-brainer.

Already a huge Heartbreaker fan and having been playing guitar and singing since his early teens, Kubicz had also been told by many people how much he resembled and sounded  like the famed artist. Kubicz’s goal was not just to put together a group of top musicians that could play all of Petty’s studio hits note for note, but also ones that could as re-create live versions and deep cuts to give audiences the illusion of a full Tom Petty concert experience.

So in 2007 Damn The Torpedoes, a band aptly named after Petty’s 1979 breakthrough album, was born.

Today the band performs upwards of 50 shows a year and keeps the music and spirit of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers alive more than six years after Petty’s untimely passing.

When Damn The Torpedoes performs at the Musikfest Café on Friday, fans can certainly expect to hear many of Petty’s signature hits, which include songs like “The Waiting,” “Refugee,” “Free Fallin’,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” “Listen to Her Heart,” “You Got Lucky,” “Breakdown” and “American Girl,” as well as a few surprises.

Damn The Torpedoes features Kubicz in the “role” of Petty and also includes Lee Boice (guitars), Gary Castelluccio (keyboards / harmonica), Jon Provan (bass / piano) and Ross Kantor (drums).

I recently spoke with Kubicz about Damn The Torpedoes and more in this new interview.

Q: In your opinion, what makes the music of Tom Petty so timeless and special?

Rich Kubicz: To me, Tom Petty was the quintessential American rock star. He was the first one to create American Rock influenced by American Folk. From Elvis through The Byrds with a nod to The British Invasion, but always loyal to the twelve-string twang of Americana. He was also an awesome songwriter — melodies, riffs, lyrical meaning. They all have us swinging to this very day.

Read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Rich Kubicz by Clicking Here!