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Seann Nicols has been replaced by American Idol finalist James Durbin, who recently partnered with Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Rossi under the moniker Maps To The Hollywood Scars.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
It’s just hard to take some of these band photos seriously. The ages of the people, trying to act 20 years old again and all the make-up etc…… it’s just comical. Pic looks like a cross between 80’s glam hair metal and a with a Billy Idol vibe.
THIS is Spinal Tap.
Are they saying this guy played a song along-side with Judas Priest?
Not “joined Judas Priest in 2011”?
Mikey,
It was converted from German to English, so something got lost in translation, literally.
The article is stating that Durbin joined Judas Priest in 2011 onstage for a performance on American Idol, but they way it was written is a bit confusing, especially if read quickly.
D 🙂
this post is taking up valuable ratt space. I object!
3:33 am? Damn, Elliot, don’t you ever sleep? If you “Juant,” try counting sheep… baa! LOL!
Or, try my method, counting bottles of beer on the wall, cheers! 🙂
hey doug,
I’ll count “ratt writs” to fall asleep.
Maybe Blotz should try that too? LOL! 😉
Frankie, I know you got the blessing of Kevin’s Dubrow’s mom to continue the band, Quiet Riot, as well as continuing it to keep his memory alive. But you will never be able to replace Kevin Dubrow, no matter how many singers you continue to replace.
I just think it’s pathetic that Frankie Banali, not even an original member of the band, continues the brand of Quiet Riot. I get that he can do whatever necessary to make a living and support the family, but i think Frankie is talented to find success on his own with other great musicians.