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Kevin, Congratulations on the release of "Rehab." Tonight is the first time you are performing the new song live. How do you think the show went tonight?
Of course playing the new songs tonight is going to be more fun, because they are brand new.Tonight exceeded our expectations. We were a little on the edge, because keep in mind Quiet Riot doesn't rehearse. I live in Vegas, they live in L.A. So the only time we get to play the new songs or rehearse them is at sound check. So if somebody didn't do their homework, it is going to be a train wreck. Luckily Alex and Chuck are really professionals, they do their homework and came prepared. Of course you love when the audience wants to hear the old songs, but we do have a new album out. We were all curious to how it was going to go over, and it really exceeded our expectations. "Old Habits Die Hard" which is basically a blues song and it is in 3/4 time, which is very unusual for a blue song. When that went over well, we knew we were on to something with the new songs.
What are the future touring plans of the band? 
We are going to tour in support of "Rehab." There is talk of another package next year.
How would you describe "Rehab" to your fans?
It is something that you should give a chance before you write off us off as just another 80's cheese ball band. It is not what you think it is going to be. I think it is going to be better than you expect it to be.
"Rehab" is a departure of the original Quiet Riot sound. What kind of sound were you and Frankie aiming for, when you went into the studio to record this release?
We always listened to 70's music. Quiet Riot started in 1975. I started to going to concerts in 1970. I was influenced by songs from the late 60's and early 70's era. Quiet Riot, in the case of Frankie and I have always been capable of more than just "Bang Your Head." Not everyone else was. But we were. So once we surround ourselves with other musicians who freed up our ability to play a variety of styles, we could to alot of things that we enjoyed listening to as rock fans, but not necessarily able to play with the people in the band with. A lot of stuff is blues based. I mean we are not a blues band, but a lot of stuff is more blues oriented. It is really fun for us because that is what we grew up listening to.
Kevin, that is so funny that you said that, because tonight in concert I noticed the major change with the new material and players. The core of the band remains intact with you and Frankie , but I think Alex and Chuck bring a more diverse style than previous line-ups, which enables the band to perform a wider range of material. Would you agree?
Absolutely. Depending who is in a group at any period of time, depends how diverse you can get and direction that you go material wise. That is the great thing about playing with Alex and Chuck.
Tell me a little bit about the collaboration with Glenn Hughes on "Old Habits Die Hard." Frankie wrote that song and Glen wrote the lyrics, is that correct?
Glen actually co-wrote , "Blind Faith", Old Habits Die Hard", "In Harms Way", and he sang the duet vocal on "Evil Woman." Glen has been a friend of mine for many years. I was having some issues with songs that Frankie had composed the music to such as "Blind Faith", and "Old Habits." I had trouble coming up with vocal lyrics or melody because of my limitation of being in that "Bang Your Head" genre and it was somewhat overwhelming. Glen came in and in five minutes had written all the lyrics to "Blind Faith" and "Old Habits Die Hard."
"Rehab" has a real strong blues base, and really showcases your bluesy vocal style. What made you choose a blues sound for the new album?
Frankie and I are from that school of Humble Pie, the Faces and Led Zeppelin. So it was a real no brain-er because the people that we had played with on the album, Neil Citron, Tony Franklin and Glen Hughes, it was easy to do it. When we were making the album, we had taken a break from playing with Alex and Chuck because their contracts were up. Alex was doing the Hookers N'Blow thing, and Chuck was doing some different things. So we decided to work with just work with some other people, these were songs that Frankie and I had written over a period of three four years. So we did it with these other guys, and when Alex or Chuck play them live it sounds just like the record.
How was the vibe in the studio compared to back in the heyday when you were recording, "Metal Health?”
It was some of the more difficult albums to make, because we hadn't done this style of music on record before. We wanted to get it right. We recorded it on Pro Tools. To be honest with you, it is not the way we wanted to record it. We wanted to record it on regular tape, but you can't anymore. First of all only one company makes a tape, nobody maintains the machines anymore, they all break down, so you are stuck doing it on computers. Neil did an amazing job simulating what analog tape is suppose to sound like. The fact that I live in Las Vegas, and everyone else is in Los Angeles made certain aspects of it difficult. We knew what we wanted to get, we exactly what we wanted it to sound like. Basically it was Frankie and I just focusing on what we wanted the album to be like. Frankie is my closest dearest friend, so the vibe was good. We recorded the basic tracks in a studio in San Fernando Valley, and the rest of it was done at Steve Vai's home studio. Neil Citron runs Steve's studio and is his personal engineer.
What would you attribute to Quiet Riot's longevity?
I think we are good what we do. During the time that we were really big in the MTV years in the early 80's that was period of time where music made a big difference to people and they really want to relive a lot of things that have to do with the past. There is definitely a nostalgic factor. Also Quiet Riot is very visual band. So that keeps people to want to come see us play. We take a lot of static on the Internet from people saying we suck, we should give it up, but that will never happen. We really enjoy what we do, and I think that has a lot to do with us doing it well. When people come see Quiet Riot, people always want to party and drink. Which is fantastic because it is all about celebrating life and rock and roll. We don't drink when we perform because it would make the show lousy.
One of the highlight of tonight's show was your new song, "South Of Heaven." Tell me about the writing of that song. I love the Zeppelin-esque drum sound you got.
I wrote "South Of Heaven." I wrote it for Frankie and the sound of his Ludwig drums, because he has a certain drum sound that he brings to the table. I knew when I came up with that riff and chorus, that it was something that he could really sink his teeth into.
How did you incorporate your blues influences into your performance tonight?
As far as being an entertainer, I want to be entertaining and I don't want to be boring. If I was in the audience, I don't want to see some fat, bloated guy who is drunk onstage. That is not what I want to go see. I want to see someone who is entertaining, fun to watch. As a front man, my favorite singer was always Rod Stewart. In the days of The Faces, he was the most charming, charismatic singer there was. I am not trying to be a Rod Stewart impersonator, but I try to model myself and what I got after seeing The Faces live. I think if you are entertaining yourself people will be entertained as well. Steve Marriott is my favorite singer, Rod Stewart is my favorite showman.You try and take all of your influences and make them your own after many years.
Now did you ever play with Steve Marriott and Humble Pie?
Yes in 1983, he opened for us in El Paso, and he came onstage and did a song with us. It was probably the best musical moment of my life. He is such a hero of mine, the greatest white blues singer of all time. He was an amazing talent. With him now dead and gone, you really only have Glen Hughes and Paul Rodgers, as the world's greatest rock singers. I don't think there is anyone out there that really comes close to what Glen and Paul do.
How do you feel about the music industry today and the resurgence of 80's metal?
I don't see it making a comeback anymore. I think there is a curiosity factor because VH1 Classic creates that curiosity. The way the music business is set up know, the record industry has sort of eaten it's self alive.They didn't support acts and with all of the downloading, they screwed themselves. It serves them right. Ever since the days of Little Richard and Chuck Berry, the industry hasn't seen fit to pay it's artists. The have ripped everybody off and now they have screwed themselves. The industry has eaten itself alive. People that run the industry, people at record labels wouldn't know good music, if it bite them on the ass. That has been going on forever. There was some people, that worked at the label, when we were there and wouldn't know music if it kicked them in the head.
How does the new version of Quiet Riot compare to the 80's version? 
We are surrounding ourselves with people we like playing with. We have gigs we like playing. It is all about trying to embrace life and enjoy it all. I try and find the good side to everything. The way we have the band set up now, it is just so much more pleasant.
Thanks Kevin for taking time out to discuss "Rehab" and your thoughts on the music industry today. Best of Luck with the new album.
Deb, Thanks for your all support!
Buy Quiet Riot’s “Rehab” here
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