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Seann Nicols has been replaced by American Idol finalist James Durbin, who recently partnered with Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Rossi under the moniker Maps To The Hollywood Scars.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
Bring Back Scott Vokoun this guy was perfect. Your sound was almost spot on with this guy. Time to move on and form a new band Frank. Terrible representation of QR. Dubrow would be pissed.
How pathetic is this? I understand Frankie B. has to make a living, but this is just sad! It’s time to put Quiet Riot out of its misery and move on! This band had TWO albums that people remember (Metal Health and Condition Critical). There are ZERO original members in the band, and ONE member from the “classic” version of the band! Does Frankie make enough money from touring the county fair and bowling alley circuit to justify pulling his reputation through the mud like this? He is a good drummer! Why not form a new band and create something? If you want to still play Quiet Riot tunes at your live shows, go for it! But, for Gods’ sake, put an end to this embarrassing cover band bullshit!
Keith, I think one reason Frankie B. continues the Quiet Riot brand is to help him cope with the loss of his good friend, Kevin Dubrow. But I do wish Frankie would either form his own band or join WASP. I loved his drumming on WASP’s Headless Children album.
I know Quiet Riot was recognized as the “first heavy metal album to make #1 Billboard”, but I don’t know if I would call it a “heavy metal” album….it’s kinda “bubble gum” music, to me. Funny, but if you compare Randy Rhoads music and playing on Quiet Riot’s first two albums with his music and playing on the first two Ozzy albums, and it’s like night and day. Yeah, it’s very generous to consider Quiet Riot a metal band….
Spinal Tap keeps changing its drummers, and when a drummer takes control of a band, this is how he exacts his revenge.
I’ve never been a fan of Kevin Dubrow’s vocals at all, and I’ve never heard a song from Quiet Riot that I actually liked. However, that fact that they had Randy Rhodes in the band (which I still can’t believe), and that they were at the forefront of Metal bands getting signed to big contracts, and the video era makes me at least respect what they accomplished.
RIP Kevin, you lived a dream that many never even got close to.
At 45 years old, I’m thinking of taking vocal lessons, because odds are I’ll eventually get a shot at fronting Quiet Riot.