Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon from The Metal Voice spoke to legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo about his longstanding history and return to Quiet Riot. Watch the interview below.
Rudy told The Metal Voice about his return back into the band, ” The main reason why I am back in the band is because Frankie Banali invited me. Frankie asked me before he passed away to return to the band. My best friend asked me to do something, so I needed to honour Frankie. I needed to be that guy on stage who honored the legacy and the memory of the band members who have passed. This is the first time that I actually leave the house to go on the road every weekend. We are booked solid through the rest of the year every single week. But now I leave with a mission. I’m not going out there just to play a bunch of songs and whatever financial gains. Now I have a mission. My mission is to celebrate the legacy and memory of my band mates,”
When asked about if he considered himself an almost original member after replacing bassist Keli Garni on QR 1 and 2 (albums only released in Japan) he said, “When you say almost original member? That would be like saying Frankie Banali is not an original member of Quiet Riot. Let me give you my perception because everybody has a perception, this is the way I look at it. There were two albums that were released only in Japan. It was basically kind of like releasing an independent EP. Forty five years ago when those records were released, the Randy Rhoads version of Quiet Riot, Billboard magazine, they didn’t even have a chart for that. Nothing for imports or music that was released in Japan. If you don’t have a record deal in the USA you got nothing, you are not a recording artist. Today it’s a whole different scenario because Japan has their own domestic heavy metal bands with world class musicians. It is not the same scenario as it was 40 years ago. So technically the clock starts with Metal Health because that’s when a band under the name Quiet Riot got signed to Pasha/Columbia Records. I got a contract that I signed along with Carlos and Kevin and Frankie, that disputes the fact that I am not an original member. Then again that is my perception.”
The follow up to VINNIE MOORE’s critically acclaimed 2015 “AERIAL VISIONS” album will be released on October 9, on his label Mind’s Eye Music. Titled “Soul Shifter”, Vinnie’s 9th solo album features guest appearances by legendary artists Rudy Sarzo and Jordan Rudess, with Richie Monica on drums, Michael Bean (bassist from Vinnie’s TIME ODYSSEY album), John Cassidy (Keyboards), and John Pessoni (Drums).
Vinnie is considered one of the originators of shred guitar, and has released eight influential solo albums, and six albums and a LIVE DVD as a member of rock royalty legends UFO. He’s made countless album guest appearances, and has even recorded the soundtrack for a PEPSI TV commercial. He’s been a member of Alice Cooper’s band and was opening act for RUSH on their ROLL THE BONES tour with his own band. His solo and UFO recordings as well as LIVE performances have amassed rave reviews all around the globe from both fans and music press, catapulting him into guitar icon distinction! He has been an inspiration for fans and guitarists worldwide.
Say’s Vinnie, “I have been touring all over the world extensively with UFO and my solo band for the past 16 years. I started this album a couple years back and have been working on it religiously between tours. It’s quite different than any of my others. It has elements of things I’ve done in the past, but has gone much deeper into certain areas. There is an overall sort of contrast between energetic upbeat songs, versus ballad-like soulful ones which has always been a big part of my style. There are some Jam elements in places too. This is likely the most emotional and soulful thing I have ever done. Very moody, with lots of feel”. “I wrote a song as a tribute to Carlos Santana, called BROTHER CARLOS, and another called GAINESVILLE STATION which is a tip of the hat to Steve Gaines. Both players were huge influences on me when I was learning to play, and continue to be now”.
“He’s hands down the greatest Moore since Demi, Roger, Dudley and Mary Tyler”, and the greatest Vinnie since Vinnie Barbarino.” – Johnny JizzleJam, Planet Guitar Gods Magazine
“When something moves me, what I am feeling flows directly into music. That’s how I deal with reality. I woke up one morning to the news that Chris Cornell had passed and it really hit me hard. I went into my studio, picked up a guitar and immediately wrote and recorded MYSTIFIED. Without intending to do so, and because of what was going on around me at the time, this album in a way became a tribute to people who meant something to me. The Allman Brothers were always one of my favorite bands and I was working on a song called SOUL RIDER that was inspired by them. While writing it, unfortunately Greg Allman left us. A lot of heart went into recording that song. Also, I wrote a song called HEARD YOU WERE GONE for my friend and band mate Elliott (Dean Guitars) who left us unexpectedly a couple years back.
“There are definitely some downhearted cathartic moments on this album, but they’re balanced out with songs like KUNG FU GRIP and FUNK BONE JAM that represent the opposite side of my personality, which is my constant joking and quirky sense of humor”.
Vinnie has done hundreds of shows all over the planet, including Europe, UK, Scandinavia, Brazil, USA, as well as India, S. Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Russia, and Canada. The UFO “Last Orders” tour began in England in March, and will continue in the USA on October 9.
“Ancient astronaut theorists suggest that Vinnie may have been spawned from alien DNA! Or at least his left index finger anyway” – Giorgio Thessaloniki, Ancient Aliens
“Solo records are a great vehicle because the canvas is totally open and I can paint whatever and wherever I want. There’s total freedom in not having boundaries. All of my influences are on the canvas, from Rock to Blues to Be-Bop to Funk, even R&B and beyond. I have always felt music deeply even before I played guitar. After I began playing, it became my vehicle to express and release what I feel inside. I love channeling my soul into melodies and songs.”
The LA Based outfit, A NEW REVENGE, featuring an all star line up will release their debut album, Enemies & Lovers on March 29th, 2019 via Golden Robot Records.
Supergroup is a term that has been diluted over time. Throwing a bunch of people from other bands into a new project doesn’t automatically make them Super, but their bio’s will tell you otherwise. It’s time to seek revenge and reclaim that word!
A NEW REVENGE is the very definition of a supergroup. One who’s members have more than earned their legendary statuses but also remain humble enough to let the music do the talking and not actually rely on the term. So who is out for A New Revenge?
Featuring one of the finest voices in metal of all time, Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (who’s voice is all over albums from Judas Priest, Iced Earth and Yngwie Malmsteen), one of the most versatile and name checked guitarists in rock Keri Kelli (Slash’s Snake Pit, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil Band and a hundred more) the most iconic bass player in heavy metal history, Rudy Sarzo (who’s work with Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, Whitesnake and many more has earned him an almost revered status in heavy music) and long time Scorpions drummer James Kottak (also from Montrose, Warrant, Kingdom Come & more).
Keri Kelli, the bands guitarist says of A New Revenge coming together; “Beginning the songwriting process we said ‘Let’s get together and come up with three or four original songs.’ Without any pressure, just creating as we went. Finally we got to the eleven songs we were all happy with. ‘Here’s To Us’ was the first song we wrote for this record. It came very fast and was pretty simple to write. Its basically an ode to hard rock fans the planet over”
To further, Kelli comments on the album Enemies & Lovers “It’s been a long time coming but it’s completely finished mixed, mastered and all ready to go. We all really, really excited to finally unleash this on the hard rock community.”
A video for the first single from the albums release ‘The Way’ can be viewed here:
Due to scheduling conflicts, Sarzo was unable to attend the filming of A NEW REVENGE’s videos. The band’s good friend and renowned player Phil Soussan (OZZY OSBOURNE, LAST IN LINE) stepped in at the last minute to take his place.
A NEW REVENGE is greater than the sum of its parts, although its parts are pretty damn mind blowing!
A NEW REVENGE will hit the road across the U.S. in support “Enemies & Lovers” throughout 2019 and is looking at locking in a European tour later in the year. The foursome is an explosive combination with every band member’s skillset and battle tested charisma breaking through the bleak wasteland of current day modern heavy metal.
Razor sharp riffs, thunderous drums and those soaring vocals that come charging in from on high to lay waste to the landscape. A New Revenge are forged from the very heart of heavy metal.
Confirmed track listing for Enemies & Lovers
The Distance Between
The Way
Never Let You Go
Glorious
The Eyes
Fallen
Only The Pretty Ones
Enemies & Lovers
Here’s To Us
Scars
Enemies & Lovers will be released on Friday, March 29th, 2019.
THE GUESS WHO is responsible for countless rock classics, which still retain a major presence on rock radio – “American Woman,” “No Time,” “These Eyes,” etc. The band is set to return on September 14th with their latest album, ‘The Future IS What It Used To Be’, released via Cleopatra Records (available in CD, Vinyl, and Digital formats).
The band is Garry Peterson (Drums, Vocals), D# (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano), Will E. (Guitar, Harp, Vocals), Leonard Shaw (Keyboards, Flute, Sax, Vocals), and Rudy Sarzo (Bass, Vocals). The album’s first single, “Playin’ on the Radio”, was released on July 17th. It can be heard on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services. Also featured on the album are several special guests including, Tommy Shaw (Styx) on vocals, Brent Fitz (Slash, Gene Simmons) percussion, Jim Kale (Guess Who founding member) and Michael Devin (Whitesnake) on bass guitar.
“The song is a celebration of the radio and what it meant to us all”, explains D#. “Whenever a new great song hit the airwaves, the DJ would say a few words then off to the races! You’d tune in just to hear it over and over again. The character in the song could be any one of us as we move ahead in life. Great music has the innate power to transport you back to so many great memories in an instant. Music is healing. I see it AND feel it every single night in our audience.”
A music video for the track has been filmed (directed by Nigel Dick and shot in Las Vegas), and the song can be pre-ordered on iTunes. The video can be viewed here:
“I love what I do, and I love trains and I love rock n’ roll,” explains Nigel about the video. “So, I was honored to be asked to shoot The Guess Who. And when they told me they were available for a day in Vegas and by chance I stumbled on this wonderful rail-yard full of old engines just up the road from the strip – I was in heaven – and up to my axles in dust! It was a perfect day.”
And the band is pleased with the results. “My very first music video…who knew?!” says Garry. “Having the privilege of working with the legendary Nigel Dick, took me back to growing up in an era where music videos told a creative visual story that I always looked forward to seeing by my favorite artists,” adds Will. “This track was no exception, adding a colorful, action packed sequence to a great story.”
Garry Peterson: “I never dreamed that I would get a chance to record an album, after 40 years, in the same way, and with the same recording gear that we used in the 60s and 70s. This was truly a blessing for me and a humbling, cathartic experience for my musical soul. Thank you to all my bandmates, and everyone who helped make it a reality. I hope our fans enjoy it as much as I do.”
D#: “This all started when I wrote ‘Playing on the Radio’. Lyrically and musically, these songs are the soundtrack to my journey with The Guess Who over the last 10 years. This record was a joy and an honor to create. As version 3.0 of this iconic band, we had our work cut out for us. The challenge in this type of situation is always to be true to the heartroots of the original blueprint, as well as being able to journey onwards into an inspired future, incorporating the new energies that we bring to the experience, as you do in any family, generation after generation. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did.”
Will E: “I am honored to be a part of this chapter of The Guess Who. We specifically wrote and arranged the music to reflect what people have always loved about the band; great songs with big vocal driven choruses. We accomplished our own sound while maintaining the classic nature that makes The Guess Who an iconic band.”
Rudy Sarzo: “The Guess Who is part of the soundtrack of my life. It’s truly an honor to have performed on the new record. And I’m already looking forward to the next one.”
Leonard Shaw: “It has been quite the trip since I joined the Guess Who 25 years ago, but I am stoked about our new recording of original songs! These songs are fun to play live, and people are digging them!”
And soon, fans will be able to hear the latest work from this legendary band, upon the arrival of the rocking and inspired ‘The Future IS What It Used To Be.’
‘The Future IS What It Used To Be’ track listing:
1. When We Were Young
2. Runnin’ Blind
3. Talks All The Time
4. Baby Come Around
5. Haunted
6. In America
7. Playin’ On The Radio
8. Give It A Try
9. Good Girl
10. Long Day
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke to Former Quiet Riot, Ozzy, Whitesnake Bassist Rudy Sarzo at the Sims Guitar Works Booth at NAMM 2018 in Anaheim California on January 26 2018.
Sarzo talks Quiet Riot, his new project Dream Child, Sims guitar Pick ups and The Guess Who his current band.
Watch the interview here:
When asked to pitch Sims Guitar Pickups the brand is representing
“I don’t have to pitch it you have to hear it for your self to believe it, it is the most versatile well rounded pick-up I have ever played and is actually featured in my signature Spector model Rudy Sarzo bass”
When asked if he would ever consider reuniting with Quiet Riot or a one off
“I have performed with Quiet Riot , just jumping in on one song. Frankie Benelli (Quiet Riot Drummer) is one of my oldest dearest friends, he has the best man at my wedding we are incredibly close. I am a big supporter of what Frankie is doing with Quiet Riot.”
When asked about his current project Dream Child
“Yeah it’s a project it’s great to be playing with my dear Dio band members Craig Goldy and Simon Wright and it was a great opportunity but my band that I am a member of is The Guess Who all the way from Canada.”
Frontiers Music Srl has announced the formation of DREAM CHILD, a brand new band featuring former members of DIO, AC/DC and QUIET RIOT.
DREAM CHILD is:
* Craig Goldy (DIO, GIUFFRIA): Guitar
* Wayne Findlay (MSG): Guitar, Keyboards
* Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, OPERATION: MINDCRIME): Drums
* Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, DIO): Bass
* Diego Valdez (HELKER): Vocals
Frontiers Music Srl have announced the formation of a brand new band featuring legends of the hard rock/heavy metal scene, DREAM CHILD! Check out the amazing group’s lineup:
Craig Goldy: Guitars (ex-Dio, Giuffria) Wayne Findlay: Guitars and Keyboards (ex- MSG) Simon Wright: Drums (ex-AC/DC, Dio, Operation: Mindcrime) Rudy Sarzo: Bass (ex-Quiet Riot, Ozzy, Whitesnake, Dio)
Diego Valdez: Vocals (Helker)
Craig Goldy says, “[t]he band Dream Child was conceived during a brainstorming session with Serafino (President of Frontiers) and I one day while discussing other matters. I had been listening to my favorite bands a lot recently, Deep Purple andRainbow‘s “Rising” album, among others in that style and had noticed that many people who also love those bands often have the very same comments as one another: “They don’t make music like that anymore!” Even though I said that in passing, Serafino asked me a question that would forever shape my future. He simply asked, “Well, can you?” and I said…..”YES!!!”
During the very first public memorial for our most beloved Ronnie James Dio, I had mentioned that whenever I do start writing original material again that I would utilize everything that I had learned from working side by side with the Master for so many years in such a way that I would hope to make him proud….and here it is! The name is inspired by one of his lyrics on the “Dream Evil” album and the nickname he gave me at the time, Dream Child!
We are so very fortunate to have bassist Rudy Sarzo as a featured guest, Simon Wright on drums, Wayne Findlay on guitars and keyboards, and a surprise vocal discovery from Argentina, Diego Valdez, whose voice will send shivers up your spine!!
This album will bring back memories of the days most people have thought were long gone and never to return, yet it is also new and fresh enough to be unique with some unexpected twists and turns!! No more “same old, same old” here, no fillers. Every song is an oasis in the desert and a rare gem in the coal mines of life in this new world that thinks the past greatness of rock would remain in the past. We’ve brought it back to life once again!!
I am very proud of this album and all who have made this become a reality. There are some big names who’ve lent a hand in the writing and I am amazed at the new and aggressive sound that producer Alessandro Del Vecchio has brought to these songs!!! I hope you all agree….”
More details about the album release to be revealed later…stay tuned!”
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 