Although vocalist Seann Nicols – who previously fronted Adler’s Appetite under the name Sheldon Tarsha – sang on the entirety of the forthcoming Quiet Riot album Road Rage, scheduled for release April 21st via Frontiers Music, he has been relieved of his duties after performing only five shows with the band.
Seann Nicols has been replaced by American Idol finalist James Durbin, who recently partnered with Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Rossi under the moniker Maps To The Hollywood Scars. The pair issued a five-song EP last month through New Ocean Media.
German website Rocks-Magazine.De broke the news via an interview with Quiet Riot drummer and sole original member Frankie Banali. The translation reads as follows:
“Seann has done a great job on the record, but a band is not just talented – you have to get together.”
According to Banali, the customary artistic and personal differences have led to the unanimous decision that an amicable separation is in the interest of the band. “We had to make the best decision for Quiet Riot. If there are problems so early in the co-operation, it’s better to pull the emergency brake.” Over the last six years, the group has worn four singers – including Love/Hate frontman Jizzy Pearl.
As a successor to Seann Nichols, Quiet Riot have already committed James Durbin. The 28-year-old has been known in North America since his final participation at the American Idol talent show, where he joined Judas Priest in 2011. According to Banali, Durbin had long been his first choice for the singer post, “When I wrote the material for Road Rage with my songwriting partner Neil Citron, James was my favorite. Because he had other commitments, I had to look for a replacement, and Seann Nichols was the third on my candidate list. Of course, I would prefer James to be heard on Road Rage – but you can only work with the people who are currently available.”
The plans for a video clip have been rejected by Quiet Riot as a result of these recent developments, “The dilemma is that I should ask James to move his lips to the vocals of another. I do not want to put him in an unpleasant situation, which could give the fans a wrong impression. But I’ve already started writing new songs for an album with James, which will be released next year.”
additional source: Brave Words
19 Responses
I know this may sound odd, but with all due respect to QR, Durbin is too good of a singer for this band, and quite frankly, a bit surprised Durbin is taking the gig. Durbin gets knocked about his Idol origins, but the dude can really sing. I agree with the comments above, probably best to lay to rest QR. They performed in my town a few years ago….on the free stage.
If ever a band should call it a day…
Agree with Rattlehead, Frankie was an absolute beast on Headless Children. Still one of WASP’s best albums.
I actually saw them with Keith St. John on vocals a few years back. I enjoyed it especially since he just did his own thing and wasn’t trying to ape Dubrow’s style. Apparently Bobby Blotzer is getting the guy Frankie just kicked out to join his version of Ratt. No I am not making this up:
http://metalsludge.tv/quiet-ratt-bobby-blotzer-adding-ex-quiet-riot-singer-seann-nicols-to-his-version-of-ratt-says-source/
Why doesn’t this surprise me? Both Blotzer and Frankie are in DIRE need of an intervention! Someone needs to sit them both down and tell them that it’s over! Nobody cares that Frankie is trying to keep Quiet Riot alive, and nobody cares that Blotzer wants to keep playing as RATT. I understand that these guys have to make a living, but they are both talented drummers with a lot of experience in the music industry. You cannot tell me that there are not other musicians that they could work with to create new music. Their names should be able to open enough doors to get this music listened to. If it is good, people will want to hear it. Look at the recent Devil City Angels album! Tracii Guns, Rikki Rockett, Eric B. from Cinderella! They came together and created a EXCELLENT hard rock album! It can be done!