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Chuck, it was great seeing you perform again with Quiet Riot. How does it feel to be back in the band?
Thanks. It feels great!! Sometimes, taking a break from something can make it fresh when you come back to it and you tend to appreciate it more. It’s kind of like putting on a pair comfortable musical shoes.
The new Quiet Riot album, "Rehab" is in my opinion, their best since "Metal Health." How do you think the new songs went over in concert at B.B. Kings? I know Tuesday was the first time the band performed the new songs in concert.
The material on Rehab is certainly the best material that has come from Kevin and Frankie in a very long time. The shows we played last week beginning with the two dates at the Foxwoods were the first time the band performed "South of Heaven" and "Old Habits Die Hard" from the Rehab record live. We also played "Free" which is something the band added to the live set a few weeks ago.
I really like the blues base vibe that "Rehab" has going. How do you feel "Rehab" differs from "Metal Health?" Do you feel it shows how the band has grown musically over the years?
I don’t think you can really compare records released by any band two decades apart. Metal Health was a great record in 1983 and Rehab is a great record in 2006. Rehab is also evidence as to how much QUIET RIOT has grown musically in the time between the two.
What are some of your favorite tunes off of "Rehab"?
I've only had a short time to listen to the material but “Free,” “South of Heaven,” “Blind Faith” and “Old Habits” are standout tracks.
Back in the 80's, shortly after "Metal Health" was recorded you left Quiet Riot. Why did you choose that period of time to leave the band? The album hit Billboard charts, and suddenly the band was launched into the national spotlight.
There were other musical opportunities that presented themselves to me and others that I was also involved with at the same time that I was with QUIET RIOT. I was as surprised, as the band was, about the success of the record. Everything in life is timing!
Did you ever think, when you were recording "Bang Your Head ", and "Cum On feel The Noize" that these hits would still be playing at sporting events today? I mean I still hear that song at Patriot Football Games. In 2006, the album is still selling!
While I did record the bass track for Metal Health, I was not the bass player on “Cum On Feel The Noize.” I only sang backgrounds on that one. They are both great tracks and they lend themselves to bigger than life sporting events, so no surprise there! Metal Health also just showed up in the new film ‘Crank’ as the opening credits start.
Last year Quiet Riot was on the Rock Never Stops Tour with Cinderella and Ratt. What were some of the highlights of that tour? The tour did very well.
Playing every night with the guys in Cinderella was a awesome experience and they always treated all of us great. It was a cool package and a fun way to spend the summer. It also proved that people still like to rock 80's style!
After that tour was over and your contract was up with Quiet Riot, you spent the rest of the in various projects. You also had the opportunity to tour with Stephen Pearcy on the Metal in America Tour. How did that gig with Stephen happen?
Stephen heard that I was available, so we met and discussed the tour. The MIA tour was just one long six week party. Funny thing is, I was asked by Robin Crosby to join Ratt, back in the day before they had a recording contract. I went down and watched a rehearsal. I think that was a scare tactic on their part to get Juan to commit to them since he was also playing in Dokken at the time.
You also have been working with Bobby Blozer on his Saints Of The Underground CD project. Do you know when that album will be released?
The Saints Of The Underground project is privately funded and they’ll be shopping for a label for it soon. Andy Johns (known for his work with Led Zep, Van Halen and The Stones) mixed it. We recorded it at Bobby’s studio in Houston called Diamond Studios.
What was it like working with Jani Lane?
I only saw Jani twice, as you know he’s been the Houdini of rock these past few years. He came in with some very good song ideas that he wrote with Kerri Kelli and we then developed them. We also re-worked a couple ideas Bobby had.
Also you recorded with Pat Travers and Carmine Appice on a DVD release? Was that an instructional video? How did that project transpire?
I did a CD with Pat and Carmine called Bazooka, that was a career highlight for me. These guys play so old school and it felt great to jam with them. We did a song by Cream called Politician. I’ve always wanted to cover a song by them since Jack Bruce was my initial inspiration to play bass. I really get to go off on that track. The amazing thing about Pat is when he solo’s, it’s like it’ll be the last one he ever takes, every note means so much. He’s also one of the nicest guys in the business.
During the 80's, you were also in House of Lords? What was it like working with Gregg Giuffria? The band had great potential. Why did you leave?
Yes, a great potential unfulfilled for various reasons but mainly, I still believe, if we would’ve been on a real rock label (not a country music based one) we would’ve been huge, especially with Gene Simmons behind us. The problem was RCA at the time didn’t have a clue on what to do with us even with us having the most requested song on rock radio with our version of “Can’t Find My Way Home? and being on a sold out tour. HOL disbanded after Gene lost his label deal and we were ripped off by our management. Many months later Gregg and James put together another band and used the name. Ken, Lanny and I had moved on. Back then, working with Gregg, was kind of like being a snake handler at the zoo...a little slippery but he makes up for it with his twisted wit.
I remember after our first interview in 2004, you were trying to make a House of Lords reunion a reality. The reunion finally happened, but Gregg chose not to participate, is that correct? What happened?
Yes, it did and it was a great experience as far as the shows we did. We recorded the Firefest 2 show in Nottingham and it will be coming out January 29th/ 2007 on Frontiers Records. I’m real proud of this one. There’s some magical moments on it. What a great group of musicians and good friends. Ken Mary (drums) is an award winning producer and did an amazing mix on it. Gregg was to join us but his three year long project of putting in a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Gulf Coast was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and he had much bigger things to deal with than doing a rock-roll show.
How did the House of Lords album, "Power and Myth" differ from previous House of Lords albums? Did Gregg play keyboards on that CD?
We tried to make a record that would sound like we would if we had stayed together over the 10 plus years we were apart. More mature a bit more modern. Gregg dropped out at the last minute, he said he hadn’t touched a keyboard in ten years so possibly the music was too intimidating for him.
House of Lords performed in Europe many times? What are some of the highlights from your European shows?
There are many indeed. The run of shows we did with the Scorpions was my first time in Europe and I still look so forward to playing there. The crowds are so into it and I love to get out there and explore the different cultures and architecture. The Scorps treated us great and we later went back and played with Ozzy and Queensryche. Our recent show in England was also a blast, especially after thirteen years of not playing our music. Seriously, people were crying...I was amazed at how much the European fans loved HOL and still do.
Frankie Banali is one of the best drummers in rock and roll. I really think that the combination of your bass style, and his Zeppelin influenced technique prove to be a great rhythm section. Would you say that Frankie and you come from the same school of classic rock influences?
Frankie and I have been playing together on and off since 1981, well, most of our adult lives. We have a special musical psychic connection and I think we’re unique in that what we do together sounds fresh every night yet it also sounds worked out. We both come from the same era and we both were into a lot of the same bands, even the non rock ones like Weather Report and King Crimson. It all comes out in our playing. We also both love funk music so there’s a lot of that in our rock rhythms as well. It feels great to be playing together again."
Will you be attending NAMM this year?
If I’m not on the road, of course. I always have a chance to see friends that I haven’t seen in awhile and I get to try out new gear plus the after NAMM parties are always great. You never know who’s going to get up on the stage.
What line of bass are you performing with this year? You will be doing any special endorsements there?
I’m currently endorsed by Schecter Guitar Research, Dean Markley Strings and Ampeg. My bass is always riddin’ hard and put away wet and is fine for the next show.
Thank you so much, Chuck for checking in with Glam-Metal.com TM. Is their anything else that you would like to say to your fans at Glam-Metal.com TM?
I look forward to seeing all the QUIET RIOT fans around the world while we are on tour in support of the new CD "Rehab," this year and beyond!!
www.chuckwright.com
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