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Axe slinger Alex Grossi is quickly becoming one of Rock's most sought-after guitarists. At only 28 years of age, Grossi has accomplished quite a bit since becoming a professional musician during the early nineties. Grossi has performed with artists such as Dizzy Reed and Steven Adler of GNR, Jani Lane of Warrant (on the The Bad Boys of Metal Tour), and in the bands Beautiful Creatures and Bang Tango. And recently, Grossi has taken over the six-string duties in Quiet Riot. Grossi, whose musical style can be compared to that of Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen, has a great love for 80's Hard Rock music. ( And Alex also has a super cool, GlamMetal t-shirt. Maybe one day we will see a picture of him wearing it, hint, hint)
Quiet Riot recently wrapped up the second leg of the "Rock Never Stops" tour with Cinderella and I had the chance to catch up with the guitar superwhiz to ask him about the tour and all the latest Quiet Riot news. In this interview, Grossi gives us an inside look at life on the road with one of the most influential bands to come out of the 80's: Quiet Riot.
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Alex, Can you give Glam-Metal an update on the highlights of the tour? What were the attendance figures? I know the shows varied from city to city. The Mohegan Sun show was pretty packed, and the Hampton Beach was totally sold out.
The tour went great----some nights will always do better than others, but all in all the crowds were great, especially considering it is 2005! Rock fans are very loyal.
What was it like with Cinderella? And also what is it like playing in Quiet Riot?
Tom, Jeff, Eric and Fred are some of the most talented and down to earth guys you will ever meet. They treated us great every night. Playing with QR is truly an honor. Frankie Banali and Chuck Wright are what every rhythm section should try to be, and DuBrow has a way with a crowd that is undeniable. (and no, I wasn’t paid to say that!)
I am looking forward to hearing your guitar work on the upcoming Quiet Riot album. When does the production begin? What kind of sound are you aiming for? Will it be bluesy or hard rock oriented?
I think the game plan right now is to record this fall and put it out next year. I know that the band as a whole wants to go in a more blues-based, 70's direction.
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Last year you were in Beautiful Creatures. Their long awaited CD "Deuce" is finally out. It is awesome. Do you play guitar on every song? I know Mark Simpson also contributed on the CD. What are your thoughts on the new album?
Thank you Deb! We are very proud of the way it came out. Anthony Focx really stepped up to the plate and made sense of the whole thing production-wise. As far as who recorded the guitars, there has been a lot of confusion. I can tell you that on the Japanese JVC/Victor version it's all myself and Anthony guitar-wise. Spitfire wanted the US version to be heavier, less ballads, so they took 2 songs off the Japanese release, added 2 new songs. Other than those, all the guitar tracks on the Spitfire CD are the same as the ones on the JVC release.
Here are the Songwriting/Performance credits directly from Spitfire/Eaglerock's site:
Tracklisting:
1. Anyone
2. Freedom 
3. Unforgiven
4. Save Me
5. Super Fly
6. Empty
7. Never
8. Straight To Hell
9. The Unknown
10. Ton Of Lead
11. Brand New Day
12. Thanks
13. I Won't Be The One
Tracks 1-10 & 13: written and performed by Joe Leste, Anthony Focx, Kenny Kweens, Alex Grossi, and Matt Starr
Tracks 11 & 12: written and performed by Joe Leste, Anthony Focx, Kenny Kweens, Michael Thomas and Glen Sobel *additional performances by Mark Simpson*
Why did you leave BC? And are you still in Bang Tango? What is the status of that band, and also who is in Bang Tango these days? I really have no idea who is in Bang Tango right now, I, for one am not. As far as BC goes, I just wanted to work more and Quiet Riot keeps me busy. I also wanted to expand as a player. Kevin, Frankie and Chuck have been doing this for a long time and I see this as an opportunity to step up to the plate and show people what I can do. Kevin has always had great guitar players and Frankie is as solid as a rock and has played with just about everyone. All that stuff rubs off on you, and in turn makes you a better player, which is where I want to be, playing...not sitting at the Rainbow passing out flyers.
Your guitar sound on "Deuce" is quite different from your sound on the Bang Tango album "Ready To Go?” How did you pull that off?
I used basically the same set-up for both records, mainly switching up guitars, I endorse Paul Reed Smith guitars, they have givin’ me 3 custom ones that are just killer. As far as amps go, Mesa/Boogie and LINE6 have been really good to me. I also just bought a 1960 re-issue Les Paul. I can't wait to crank that bad boy up! 
What is your favorite tune off "Deuce" and "Ready To Go"
DEUCE-"TON OF LEAD"
READY TO GO-“RAINY DAY”
Now last year you played guitar for Jani Lane on the Voices of Metal Tour. Will you play guitar for Jani on the VH1 Metal Mania Stripped Tour in October?
Due to my full-time commitment with Quiet Riot, I would have to pass.
Do you ever see the guys from Angry Salad (your former Boston band) and do you think there will ever be a re-union with them? I know I met Rob when you played in Worcester last year with Steven Adler.
I don't gamble, but I would bet NO on that re-union ever happening.
Alex, you are originally from Hartford. What was it like coming home and playing near your hometown on the RNST?
It was pretty fucking cool coming home and doing a 10,000 seat venue in your home town.
How is the music scene in Los Angeles these days? Are there still a lot of 80's fans on Sunset Strip? How did you you hook up with Joe LeSte and Beautiful Creatures?
Other than "Metal Skool" (80's metal tribute) and the dudes who hang on Sunset and act like it's 1990, the LA scene is just as hip as most other major cities. As far as meeting Joe, we just jammed, had a few drinks and the next thing I knew we were in Europe on tour!!!
Now did you ever move to Vegas? I remember you telling me you wanted to move there soon. What is the music scene out there like? I know Kevin lives out there.
I am currently looking at a few different places.
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I have seen your perform may times with Quiet Riot and you and the QR are professionals. Quiet Riot does a fan Meet and Greet every night, and really cares about their fans. But, recently I read about Bobby Blotzer putting Quiet Riot down, do you know anything about that?
I really try to stay out of this stuff. If band members choose not to do meet and greets, the only people who really suffer are the fans, and they are the reason why we can all still do this. I think anybody lucky enough to do what we do for a living has nothing to complain about.
Will Quiet Riot be back on the road soon?
Yup--- check out www.ALEXGROSSI.com for all the latest!!!
Alex, describe a typical day on the road with Quiet Riot. You lead such an active life style, how do you manage to put everything in perspective? Do you have any special warm-up routines that you do before a show?
Well, get up, get dressed, sound check, meet and greet, play, meet and greet again, go back to Hotel or Bus, go to sleep...repeat.
Alex, is there anything else you would like to say to your fans here at Glam-Metal?
Just thanks for coming out to the shows and supporting the rock!!!!
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