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On October 11, Glam-Metal conduct interview with Quiet Riot Frontman, Kevin Dubrow. The partial interview scripts are as followed:
About the album "Rehab" Kevin, Congratulations on the release of "Rehab." Tonight is the first time you are performing the new song live. How do you think the show went tonight?
Of course playing the new songs tonight is going to be more fun, because they are brand new.Tonight exceeded our expectations. We were a little on the edge, because keep in mind Quiet Riot doesn't rehearse. I live in Vegas, they live in L.A. So the only time we get to play the new songs or rehearse them is at sound check. So if somebody didn't do their homework, it is going to be a train wreck. Luckily Alex and Chuck are really professionals, they do their homework and came prepared. Of course you love when the audience wants to hear the old songs, but we do have a new album out. We were all curious to how it was going to go over, and it really exceeded our expectations. "Old Habits Die Hard" which is basically a blues song and it is in 3/4 time, which is very unusual for a blue song. When that went over well, we knew we were on to something with the new songs.
What are the future touring plans of the band?
We are going to tour in support of "Rehab." There is talk of another package next year.
How would you describe "Rehab" to your fans?
It is something that you should give a chance before you write off us off as just another 80's cheese ball band. It is not what you think it is going to be. I think it is going to be better than you expect it to be.
"Rehab" is a departure of the original Quiet Riot sound. What kind of sound were you and Frankie aiming for, when you went into the studio to record this release?
We always listened to 70's music. Quiet Riot started in 1975. I started to going to concerts in 1970. I was influenced by songs from the late 60's and early 70's era. Quiet Riot, in the case of Frankie and I have always been capable of more than just "Bang Your Head." Not everyone else was. But we were. So once we surround ourselves with other musicians who freed up our ability to play a variety of styles, we could to alot of things that we enjoyed listening to as rock fans, but not necessarily able to play with the people in the band with. A lot of stuff is blues based. I mean we are not a blues band, but a lot of stuff is more blues oriented. It is really fun for us because that is what we grew up listening to.
Kevin, that is so funny that you said that, because tonight in concert I noticed the major change with the new material and players. The core of the band remains intact with you and Frankie , but I think Alex and Chuck bring a more diverse style than previous line-ups, which enables the band to perform a wider range of material. Would you agree?
Absolutely. Depending who is in a group at any period of time, depends how diverse you can get and direction that you go material wise. That is the great thing about playing with Alex and Chuck.
"Rehab" has a real strong blues base, and really showcases your bluesy vocal style. What made you choose a blues sound for the new album?
Frankie and I are from that school of Humble Pie, the Faces and Led Zeppelin. So it was a real no brain-er because the people that we had played with on the album, Neil Citron, Tony Franklin and Glen Hughes, it was easy to do it. When we were making the album, we had taken a break from playing with Alex and Chuck because their contracts were up. Alex was doing the Hookers N'Blow thing, and Chuck was doing some different things. So we decided to work with just work with some other people, these were songs that Frankie and I had written over a period of three four years. So we did it with these other guys, and when Alex or Chuck play them live it sounds just like the record.
About the band and music:
What would you attribute to Quiet Riot's longevity?
I think we are good what we do. During the time that we were really big in the MTV years in the early 80's that was period of time where music made a big difference to people and they really want to relive a lot of things that have to do with the past. There is definitely a nostalgic factor. Also Quiet Riot is very visual band. So that keeps people to want to come see us play. We take a lot of static on the Internet from people saying we suck, we should give it up, but that will never happen. We really enjoy what we do, and I think that has a lot to do with us doing it well. When people come see Quiet Riot, people always want to party and drink. Which is fantastic because it is all about celebrating life and rock and roll. We don't drink when we perform because it would make the show lousy.
How do you feel about the music industry today and the resurgence of 80's metal?
I don't see it making a comeback anymore. I think there is a curiosity factor because VH1 Classic creates that curiosity. The way the music business is set up know, the record industry has sort of eaten it's self alive.They didn't support acts and with all of the downloading, they screwed themselves. It serves them right. Ever since the days of Little Richard and Chuck Berry, the industry hasn't seen fit to pay it's artists. The have ripped everybody off and now they have screwed themselves. The industry has eaten itself alive. People that run the industry, people at record labels wouldn't know good music, if it bite them on the ass. That has been going on forever. There was some people, that worked at the label, when we were there and wouldn't know music if it kicked them in the head.
How does the new version of Quiet Riot compare to the 80's version?
We are surrounding ourselves with people we like playing with. We have gigs we like playing. It is all about trying to embrace life and enjoy it all. I try and find the good side to everything. The way we have the band set up now, it is just so much more pleasant.
Read the whole interview here |
