Alex Grossi (Quiet Riot guitarist)

Welcome to the show at back and we've got a guest, another stellar musician, Kevin dubrow said he's the most gifted young guitar player that he's heard since young Randy Rhoads. So, a pretty big compliment there. Alex crossy guitarist is here. I'm not even sure I can list his full resume here. He's done so much and played with so many great musicians including Janie lane. Steven Adler does he read Joe will stay and many

teaching? Yeah, I wouldn't know. You know, they used to have products that were prodigy prodigy, that's always the you know, even when I was in like, school band, I was playing with the high school band. I was just a very advanced music. So they would always bump me up a couple grades when it came to that. And then when, you know, I turned 50 and I got a guitar and just really got immersed in that. And there was no one in my school that I you know, that could play at the level I wanted

You know, it's always weird, right? Because they don't want you you can be in the band in a bar, if you're under age, but you can't drink like you have to go up on stage. And then as soon as the band

get off a staff to go outside in between the sets and have my mom go when the car my mom or have my mom be in the venue with with me. You know, the whole time to be in there? Yeah, there's a Connecticut where I grew up, there was all these rules that they had to follow. But, you know, I'm one of my two parents is there to make sure I was you know, the bar wasn't gonna lose your liquor license by having me there. But yeah, I started started playing bars at 1516 years old. And that's

Yeah, that's got to be that's nice that your parents are so supportive. And to do that, that's like a lot of effort to take you in. Well, there.

My mom and dad were both in the arts, too. My dad was a musician, you know, a professional. He played with a lot of, you know, you know, he was more of a session guy, orchestra guy and my mom always did was a dance teacher she ran. They ran a music and dance school. So they get a god. Okay, are they are they understood?

That's really cool. And then you got into the College of the Berklee School of Music, the one in Boston. That's, that's pretty competitive, though. Is it difficult to get in? What's the process like,

it's, um, I got in, I got a partial scholarship on guitar. It's pretty competitive, especially on guitar. But I realized very quickly, it wasn't for me. And they say, if you actually graduate Berkeley, then you actually fail at the music business, because most people go for a semester to get plucked out of their for to to join a real band or go on the road or whatever. That's what happened with me.

Is that when you joined an angry salad,

Yes, correct. They were, they were like the thing at the time in Boston in the late 90s, you know, sort of doing that the college rock thing, and they were just on the verge of getting a record deal. And I auditioned for him while I was going there. And I got the gig and I just decided, well, I can stay here and sit in the classroom and learn about what it's like to go on the road and, quote, try to make it or I can really go for it. And I chose the ladder. And just kept going from there.

Yeah, you think that was the right decision? Right?

Well, I mean, if the way I The way I see is this there that's a one of the classes is called Rock Performance. And it's a guy teaching me how to be unquote rock star. Dude, if you knew how to be a rock star, why are you here teaching? Wouldn't you be on a tour bus somewhere? Right,

right? Yeah, no, that's

a very good point. If you think if you think about it, you know, those who can do those who can't teach each

and those who can't teach teach PE is one

Are drivers ahead? Yeah, but no, that's no. That's no disrespect intended. And also I wanted to, I figured, if I'm going to do it, I want to learn, you know, you know, dude, do it for real, you know, I've got an opportunity and the band I ended up getting signed to Atlantic Records and we made it you know, we this is back when labelled spent money. Yes, yeah. You know, real Brian, do the whole thing. And it was that it was a great experience. It was really,

shit, but did you were you an A made the record on and let you have at least one record that was on Atlantic? And then did you have did you do tours? Did you tour with some big bands or do some on show

tour we toured relentlessly we did you know, before we got signed, we were doing like in a van, you know, Van tours, playing little clubs. And then after we got on Atlantic we went out with we took a sugar array at their peak took pictures of matchbox 20 like Hootie and the blowfish, you know, bands like that, that were happening in the late 90s. Google dolls was a big one. The verb type when I was you know, just it was we did a lot of that that surrogate you know, that

So you you were more into the to the ad style rock era or heavier season

80s Yeah, I was always just meant to get a big guitar riffs and you know, rock you know, being the you know, Guns and Roses, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, kids, you know, that

Yeah, obviously you're really good at it so like it was right a couple of years later that you then you decided you're going for you're going to move to LA you love like the rainbow and all that kind of music and book cherry. I think it also you said Kid Rock, but buck cherry. It also kind of felt cherry can come out. Yeah, so that was a little bit of a resurgence and then somehow explain how you got the job for beautiful creatures, because that was a pretty popular,

one of those resurgence type bands to along with Buckcherry um, I had moved to tiny Beach, California to do a tour with a band called Ignite. They were more of a punk hardcore thing. And then after that was over, I ended up in Hollywood and I went to this place called the cat Club, which is it's not there anymore. Don't

did you actually have to audition or he that was kind of the audition him seen either.

You know, it was kind of on the side. It was kind of I didn't even realize I was auditioning at the time and guys out and played ACDC tune and he looked at me and he's like either I'm really drunk. Are you really good? Probably a little pie, little baby. I don't know. Let's see. So the next day, we went out for lunch and I went down and rehearse with the guys. We we ended up going right into the studio and making their second record. Deuce, which

Oh, that's right, because you joined after he'd already had the first album right? Because I think you did you replace DJ Asheville?

Yeah, yeah. DJs on the first album, right Warner Brothers album. Then the second album Deuce is when I came in, that's all I wrote and recorded that album with them. And then, right when when we were supposed to go on tour and support it, I got the opportunity to play in quiet riot. So kinda kinda kind of went up and then down but

so that I was gonna I was gonna ask you like, Whatever happened, but you left the band before it kind of dissolved or whatever

it was, it was it was just, you know, they had their big deal with Warner Brothers and again, they you know, it never didn't materialize the way they had hoped. So, you know, and quiet Riot I you know, I won't say my kid I played Kevin dobro solo band. And once I hit it off, I realized that was a bunch you know, obviously a much more prestigious and better gig and steady gig and was a no brainer, really, you know?

So was that the same for like with hookers and blow and dizzy? Is that how you it was that like you met him at a jam session

kind of thing or Hey, Same place that actually the cat club is very dizzy. And actually I met dizzy through Joe through Beautiful Creatures because dizzy came into play keyboards on the creatures record. Oh yeah, I met dizzy through beautiful creatures and we became friends and that's how hookers and blow started just for fun.

That's crazy. That's a lot of just like making these connections. Like that's why you just keep getting a word really is. I

mean, it's a small town out there. You know, it really it's it's a big city, but it's a small town in that in that circle of if that little gene pool of musicians if you will. That's Yeah, that's fun. Yeah.

And then you did that bad boys of rock tour with Janie lane. Steven Adler. That's where you met Kevin right. Kevin dubrow. And

I hadn't why but Kim before that, and Kevin asked me He goes, could you play guitar all night for Janie lane and do a set of warrant songs? You know, quiet riot. My stuff. Steven Adler and bang Tango? I see. Yeah. And I ended up doing it was rotating singers with one common band all night. And I was on stage for four sets doing like, almost 50 songs. That sounds

were you fans of all those bands?

For the most part? Yeah. I mean, I was really familiar with all the music. There's a lot of work. And definitely a lot of I mean, keep in mind, you put all these guys on one tour bus. It was definitely if you put cameras in I think it could have been a be a VH one reality show

why good stuff or bad? I know. You said what happens on the road stays on the road. But was it? Was it good or bad? Or both are crazy. You know what good it was. It ran? They

ran the gamut. Really? I mean, it was, you know, it was good. It was bad. It was it was some of the things that happened. Were just like, you can't write this stuff. But um, you know, it was, it was for the most part, it was it was a good experience for me to, you know, to see how all the hell kind of look back behind the curtain of these bands that I'd idolize and see how it really is. And that Yeah, it's definitely an eye opening experience for me.

So probably learned a lot then is what you're saying?

Yeah, and definitely, you know, got my chops up. I mean, we're learning all those songs that grown up, and then playing them with the guys that actually, you know, made them famous was really was really cool. And it made me step up my game a lot. Because when you're playing cherry pie with a guy who wrote it, you better play it perfectly.

Yeah, no. So didn't live up to your expectations in that way. Like, when you say eye opening, like it was some of you you're like, Oh, I didn't know about this part of the business, or I didn't know.

It was like, yeah, definitely in more in many, many instances, like, Oh, I wasn't expecting that to happen. But yeah, no, it was all at all. I wouldn't I wouldn't change anything and trade it for the world. But it definitely was. It let's just put it this way. The tour, we use the phrase crawling to the finish line, the last week of the tour, and we barely made it back to California. It was you know, we'll do four buses in four weeks, Janie dropped off after like eight

Yeah, that's gotta be hard. Yeah, you don't think about that. Because when these guys were in the 80s, and then the in the peak, like they, they all had their own tour buses, and they're probably used to that. And then we think, a little tighter. It's like, Hey, we got to like, you know, band together if we even want to do a show. And there's

a there's a lot of history with between bands and things and this and girlfriends and money. And, you know, and I'm like 25 years old. I have no idea what you guys are talking about, you know, wow. But I will do is great. I'll never forget it. It definitely was a turning point in my career. And then after that tour was over. Quiet Riot reformed, right. And Kevin and Frankie asked me to join the band at that point.

Yeah. And then and then Kevin passed in? 2007. Yeah, three years. Yes. That's sad. But then the band that band continues on we'll get to that too. Cuz you guys are still together. Which, which I think is cool. Because, I mean, here's my thing. Like I interviewed that I don't know if you remember the band rocks gang. Ah, I do. I wasn't wasn't Stacy

That was one no that actually never even did one show that was that that that was supposed to get booked out here in Las Vegas years ago never happened I don't even we're not even know where we're how that show even on the internet. That's crazy. Yeah, cuz I mean, you play A lot of those kind of seems like so fun, like hookers and blow. It's just like, a lot of those things we do what we when we're not on the road, we'll do these cover things and the hookers and blows my main

what what places Can you not use that name? Like in the bible belt or something or

what not? Well, yeah. And wherever there's corporate sponsorship, like if it's, you know, Kors like presents. Okay, well not put their core their logo and they won't do it. Yeah, up, it's gay. Anytime there's a corporate anything, anything corporate like house doubloons or hard rocks. They won't touch it.

Interesting. I did not know that. I thought for rock bands, you could say whatever you go, Oh, no. Interesting,

especially in the past few years later, we'll get even more politically correct. It's getting harder. Yeah.

Right. Well, I mean, because not everyone could get away with that name anyways, but it's like when it's a guy from Guns and Roses. It's like, I mean, he's legit. Like, he's loved that lifestyle. You know, like, I've never done cocaine. So, I mean, that, you know, that's like different, but he's, I'm sure he has, or at least he's been around that. Well, it's a time it's a it's

kind of it's not even about drugs or hookers or anything. It's just about it's just, it's a, it's a it's just a name that get people's attention. Attention, you know, and it's, you know, it's an old, it's an old the old phrase is, you know, I spend all my money on hookers and blow the rest of it. I just wasted you know, phrase and that's where the name

I never thought I guess. Yeah, cuz I think when I first saw the name, I was just like, oh, that that makes sense. They go from Guns and Roses. Like No,

we trade we own the trademark. We own it. We actually trademarked hookers and blow which is the and I own that those two words. That's hilarious. I mean, yeah. We trademarked it in 2008 in 2008 I don't know how to do it nowadays, we own trademark.

So it has anyone who's come after you to try to cancel you like, like just people on the internet like trolls are actually like, No,

no, no, that can't like cancel culture. But we've had a lot of shows where the promoters on the week before and say, hey, I've had I'm having sponsors pulling out if you don't change the name or so we'll just put dizzy read of Guns and Roses. Okay. And, you know, it's it's not that frequent. But the funny thing is, a couple years ago, we did a tour of the US and we put our name on the side of the bus 25 feet long because and blow with the logo and everything and blinds, lines of cocaine and

So Geez. Yeah, that's right. I know. Unless we're gonna blackout your tour bus. Yeah, go ahead, try try telling us. That's crazy. Did you play with skid row two. You've been everywhere.

I filled it. I didn't. I was never in Skid Row down. I needed someone to fill in for snake in 2008 for a summer, and I did for an entire summer. He called me stun snake stuff. Yeah, I will start I would start snake in 2008. But now I've never know. I was never in Skid Row.

No, but I mean, that's Yeah, that's whatever you want to call it, but you got to play with them for

about half a dozen shows. And you know, it was a lot of fun. They're great guys. And I love that band growing up.

Yeah, me too. That was like one of my favorite parts. I love Rachel's like he seems like really cool guy like really down to earth I had on the

show really cool. Really smart. He's a good Yeah, man. And yeah, he sort of he's sort of the guy that then yeah, all those guys are great, Scott. I think Scotty hills probably one of the most underrated guitarist of the 80s definitely Yeah,

those are they both hats. I think that may be the thing is because there was two guitars. It's like, yeah, who do you single out as the Guitar Hero like

they kind of both are they been the lead you know, they switched leads back and forth. Right? He made he just stuck his his lead or so. So good. He's such a great player. Both of them both snake and Scotty No. So that was definitely a treat to be able to do that,

too. That's amazing. Yeah. And I know you didn't get this gig but you actually you actually auditioned for Guns and Roses. Like you got to tell me that story. That's

amazing. Yeah, 2006 when buckethead had quit, they were on holding auditions in Hollywood and dizzy brought me down as one of the guys to try out and I did audition. I can say did that. Yeah. Was Axl there for that or was it? What? No, no, it was the whole band. They were you know, videotaping it. I had to do three songs. And it was it was pretty surreal that to say I was I was auditioning for because it they GNR is my favorite band growing up? Oh,

yeah, for sure. For sure. I think I think Skid Row was like my number one in high school, but I think Guns and Roses has surpassed it now. Like they're just there. I mean, those songs just hold the test of time. So well.

Maybe they even Really do they really do you don't realize how many of them there are. I mean, quiet Riot open for them. In 2019 in Tijuana at the soccer stadium is huge. And I watched the show themselves like a three hour show and every single song like, Oh my god, I forgot about this one. And this one, this one, even the deep cuts like, you know, they played coma and and you know, that obsession stuff was really really, you know,

I agree. I've seen him three times, I think since they reunited and I got tickets for it's a great show. Yeah, it's still they still sound great. I love and I saw them without slash inveigh at the joint. And that was pretty cool, actually, because he brought in these a mate like he had a must have been at that time, I think was probably DJ ashba.

Yeah. bumblefoot in bumblefoot, and I think Stetson was on base. Yeah, that was probably one of those shows, too. Went to a bunch of them. Yeah. I mean, the band was always great. It was I mean, every lineup the every player was stellar. I mean,

so who beat you to that? for that job was a DJ?

Well, they ended up good. That was when they got bumblefoot. bumblefoot. Okay. Yeah. And, and honestly, they were looking for they needed, they wanted to replace buckethead, which is crazy. I'm not the guy for that, you know, but were you

nervous, auditioning. That's got to be nerve racking.

Ah, not really, because I've been playing on songs my whole life. You know, it's like, I'd be nervous if he asked me to change your trip, you know, picture transmission. That's the guy playing nightrain now, no problem. I got that. Okay.

Is there any other bands that you were close to becoming a member of? Or the audition for that?

Well, ironically, after I signed that require I got I got a call to beat to audition for Nine Inch Nails. Which that's why we're laughing. Yeah. But that's the time to leave in a banner because rotating guys. I came pretty close to 30 Seconds to Mars. Oh, which was you know what, again? No. I mean, I went to Jerry's house, your house and play with him and then call back a couple

So is the agent picking these things then? Or are people reaching out

to your agent from the record company said, Hey, we got this band they need to be they need a guitar player or we we just signed this female singer songwriter. She needs a band put up together around her. There's actually a guy in LA that does that. We put together his first main job like that was putting together the band for Atlanta. It's more of that for a tour with and each step what he does, he puts bam, you know, five players. Yeah. And so you're not a headhunter, if

you will. Right? So you're not as big of a fan of Jared latos ban but are you I mean, cuz I'm a big fan of his acting. And I think he's an amazing actor. Like were you were you like did

you get an autograph or no idea who he was when I went to his house? I really had no he's like, and he sat down on the couch you know? Just you know been it's been it's hard because of who I am. And I got like, I don't know who you are. I have no idea I had no idea Wow, I've never seen my phone call life or fight club I like you I thought we'd share

Yeah, cuz this is probably before he really got like really bigger because Fight Club that was kind of like a smaller role. And

yeah, this was this was keep in mind this is 2002 2003. Right. So yeah,

that's cool. And then did you have any interactions with Trent Reznor, when you try to offer Nine Inch Nails? I did. I didn't even go to the audition, because I already decided I already signed it. Okay. And then the one job that you did get to was a was Adler's appetite. Now, you played on that EP of songs. I think there's like three or four songs on that. I

love those songs, three song EP that came out with a song alive on it. Yes. Michael Thomas, the other guitar player wrote, and we released that in conjunction with his autobiography.

Okay, right, right, right

book. And I plan on that I tour with that for a couple years and that's sort of that was sort of the fixer flap between quiet Riot stopping and then starting up again, you know, okay, so

that was like, that was kind of okay. Yes, I love those, those songs. And I was always, like, want him to do more. And then he kind of changed the band and changed the name,

Jacob. Then he got the Jacob and those guys, the Adler record, which I really like, but it does have a whole different vibe, right?

You have this appetite that's more modern. They're both good, but I really like yeah, I thought that Adler's appetite, the three songs. It kind of sounded like old school Guns and Roses a little bit or

did mirror Michael Michael is Michael's to Michael had a lot to do with that. He really was trying to capture that essence. The main song I contributed to that was was the ballad called fading. Oh, yeah. Yeah, it was a three song thing in

our dog.

I think Stephens playing on that was more like, you know, it was more like Him rather than more modern and it definitely I think that he captured the the old school GNR stuff a little more and sounded more like Steven, you know, but I love what Jake would be did with Jacob too. I did. It's a great record. There's some good songs on there.

Yeah, Jacob's talent he's in. He's also a neon coven. I think with ace. Yep. He's a singer for that one. Yeah,

yeah. I've been doing some writing with him as well. He's great. For which project? Well, he actually wrote on the left by write record.

Oh, okay. The one

that's not out yet. Similarly in the blood. The one we have the cowboy video. Oh, yeah, that's okay. Yeah.

Yeah, that Yeah, I just I was listening to that this morning. That that's your latest, but you have another one that's coming out. Right.

We're working on one right now. And Jacob was involved with that as well.

Oh, cool. Cool. Yep. Yeah. And then you so was it the Adler's appetite was it was hotel Diablo? Is that the same singer? as others appetite? Yes. Yes, it is. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, cuz I just discovered that today. And I think gilby Clarke produced that. Right.

You'll be Yeah, we did that a guildies place. And that was a lot of fun. It was just, you know, we had no real agenda. We just went in the studio and recorded you know, most of what you hear is what are the first the second take you know, real quick, real fun. Old school. And I'm probably really proud of that record came out came out really came up good to bad Machine Gun Kelly, solar name.

He did.

Yeah, his record is called hotel Diablo and even even stole the key we had, we had a whole concept with a hotel key. JACK, the whole thing

really just goes on purpose.

There's no way it was a coincidence. There's no I mean, literally, right down to the font on the key. I mean, yeah. Wow. Are you gonna sue him? Or can you do now we never really trademarked it and the way I see it is it just drove more traffic to our iTunes so thanks. Yeah, that's really that's interesting. This formula few times.

So was he must have been a fan then or something?

Or either that or whoever around him suggested it or whatever, who knows what maybe his art director but he said his album is called hotel Diablo. It's the hotel key and everything on it. Early dude, really? A you know? Yeah, it is. Yeah, there's no way it was a coincidence. But I you know, hey, whatever.

That's luck. That's crazy. So you do you do a lot of fly in fly out dates, because you're living in Vegas now. Right? Yeah. Yeah. And then you but you also he did do a tour with? He toured with the dead daisies and john karate. Yeah.

Yeah, that was 2018 they wanted to bring the hookers and blow out to open their US tour. And we did above the US was It was great. That when karate was singing for him, and they had Marco Mendoza on base,

that's it was that pretty fun? That sounds like a really fun. He's such a cool guy. Yeah,

yeah. Those guys are great. I mean, it's, it's it's a very well oiled machine. You know, it's because it's not your typical rock band. It's kind of a pet project of this Australian guy named David Lloyd Wright. And, you know, they, it's, I mean, they're all phenomenal players. And it was it was a lot of fun. It's, it's definitely not. It's not run like a normal rock. We're gonna get like a normal rock band. It's more like, what's the word

Yeah, definitely. Do you like that better like doing the actual tours, where you have like 3040 dates in a row? Or would you prefer like just a fly out dates where you just do like a weekend warrior kind of thing.

Um, I like to fly dates when I was younger, I like to be on the bus. But the fly dates nowadays are better because you can do you can make as much money and one or two, two or three days, you can add a whole week. instead. Instead, you know, if you balance it out, after after expenses and everything. I mean, you're you're sometimes you're better off to slide in flying out. Unless you have a really, really well routed tour and the money

Okay, yeah. Are you kind of interested in the business side? Because like your contact for like, Tammy and some other or some other people or just him or? Yeah, no,

I work for a booking agency. I run the Las Vegas office of the 80s hard rock puppy agency and I book a few different bags. You I mean, you know, yeah, it's, you know, what I do during the week, you know? It's, uh, I've always been the guy in whatever band I'm in. I've always been the guy that makes the calls and deals with the logistics, so I figured I might as well make some money at it for other bands when I'm not working, you know? Right. Yeah.

So yeah, so quiet, right? It's gonna continue. Yeah. That's that was Frankie's wish, correct.

Yeah, he there was never immediate, there was never any question about it. I mean, he once he was once he realized what his diagnosis was his just immediately wanted to make sure that trademark was taken care of, which is and just wanted to keep taking dates and keep the machine moving. I mean, yeah, it was never any doubt. So and I'm glad you know, I mean, we put a lot of we put a lot of time and I mean, I've given this thing almost 18 years of my life, you know? I mean, people people tend

Right. Well, and it bothers you, it does, it does bother you when people talk shit about it, right? Because you got into

it doesn't really bother me because people talk shit about everything on the internet. It's just it doesn't, it doesn't really affect it doesn't matter. You know, it's like, I don't tell, I just don't understand why people are so interested in how I earn a living, you know, but like,

but you jumped in on a Facebook post the other day on Mark Knights a Facebook thing when he was saying about, about doing a second version of bang Tango, and then he like he was saying how he didn't understand why these bands keep using the name. And you said it's called the music business. Yeah, those days are built to last

recognized Yes. Because he cuz it used to be everyone's like, you should change name. No, because we're trying to this is how we earn a living. If you put a new name up on a marquee, it's not going to sell tickets, right? Quiet Riot is a new is a known brand. People know the brand. It's the brand, not the band, and

you're playing quiet Riot songs. Yes. And

I and I and I, you know, I've been this is this is it's like, you know, call it something else. Why it's been I've been playing in this quiet Riot for 17 years. Why would we stop out? You know? Right. And like, and like we said, it's Frankie's, and that's what he wanted. He wanted the band to continue. And I actually saw it is it's just funny to me, because people is people are so passionate and in with everything that's gone on in the past two years, if you're that upset about who's the quiet

Yeah, seriously. No, that's

when I thought we were done with this for this whole COVID thing. And I'm just grateful that we're doing it and you know, for for people that allegedly claimed to be fans of this kind of music. They certainly don't seem to show when they want you to call it a day. Like, Oh, you want it to keep going? You know,

right? Well, cuz I think we flop. Yeah, I even saw recently that I think it was, uh, was it was I can't remember it was Paul, I think I feel like it was Paul, not Jean. But Paul came out, Paul Stanley of kiss came out and said that the band is bigger than any one member kind of hinting that it will continue. When him and Jean are gone, like the band was

going. They've been saying that for a couple years now. Yeah, I mean, it will I mean, and, and as time goes on, more and more than 10 out of 10 people are gonna die. All right. But that music will still be there, that brand name will still be there. And the opportunity to use it in commerce to make money will still be there. And so will college tuitions and mortgages and cell phone bills. And guess what, you're going to see a lot more bands doing it. So, you know, get used to it.

Yeah. I mean, so I heard this quote is interesting. It was like I said, honest conflict has more social value than dishonest harmony. So do you like hearing people's opinions on this stuff? Or do you wish they would just show Yeah,

sure. Yeah, actually, it actually intrigues me because I do like to see in different people's perspective on it and everything right, but when they get mad, and they're like, you know, yeah, Monday, really your that you really like you care you care more than I do when I'm in the bed? Do I think I think for these people, these guys on the internet, they share

there you go. So yeah, yeah, so the band today is it's your cell phone guitars. Chuck right on bass, who's played on previous quiet ride albums from like, from I want to say it was the 80s or 90s he's been in there.

Chuck's been in and out of the band for almost 40 years. Yeah, he played bass on mental health.

Right. Okay. And then Johnny Kelly from typo negative i think is on drums.

Yeah, typo. Negative and yeah, dad's Yeah, he's great.

Yeah. And then Pete fit right in. And jizzy pearl on vocals who's been in love hate and rat and was you know, like guns.

He was in LA gun. Yeah. Yeah, completely. And Adler he's, he's sort of the go to he's he's a pro. Yeah, it actually he's, Kevin. Kevin really liked you. They were they were they were they were they were friends out here in Vegas and cheesy, cheesy. gachon he's one of us. He really, he can hit the notes he's got from that gravelly voice perfect, you know?

Yeah, like I said, like I said, I've never seen quiet right live if I come to a quiet right show now. What's it going to be like? What's experience?

I mean, we're playing all the hits. You know, all the songs we all used to do. And it's it's pretty much it's you know, it's a party. It's rock and roll. It's what you're You guys back, you know, it's entertainment. That's where the that's where they're to do.

Yeah. And I heard the latest album, like I said, and it sounds like it's true to the band. It's not like they're not you guys aren't doing some sort of experimental stuff. So I assume that the new album that's coming out at some point is probably going to sound similar.

Yeah, yeah. Well, it's, it's, it's gonna be at least going to be some pretty cool surprises on a it's coming out. Coming out great. And it's except for it's all Friday. Frankie, we have a lot of material recorded from before he passed away, that we're finishing up and some stuff that we've been working on before we got sick. And yeah, it's gonna be really I'm really excited about it. Yeah, that's cool. I

heard you talking about how he, you know, obviously, he was sick, and he was dying of cancer. And he would just all of a sudden get behind the drum kit. And he felt bad better. And he could play the drums like, amazing. Yeah, yeah. He

told he told me Our at our very last show, which was New Year's Eve 2019 into 20. It was awesome rat somewhere in the Midwest, and he and he, uh, he was he was in pretty tough, pretty rough shape at that point. And but during the show, he sound like a 25 year old kid behind the kit. And I asked him afterwards, I said, How can you play like that being you know, so you're very frail. he'd lost

That's crazy. Well, I can't wait to hear that new record. That's amazing. And then is there a Is there a full upcoming album of hookers and blow or cuz I heard a couple songs.

Yeah, singles that have correctly. There is that I found out yesterday is coming out August 13.

Okay, yeah, cuz I heard your version of. Yeah. Well, the version of the songs that I heard on Spotify were amazed. I love the Led Zeppelin song trampled underfoot. First of all, it's one of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs.

It's Frankie on drums. Oh, it is? Yeah, right. Frankie did no quarter and trampled underfoot. Three months after he was supposed to be dead. Actually. It was not Yeah, yeah, he was he was given three to six months to live in April 2019. And he recorded those songs in December of 20 of 2019. So he you know, was terribly close to be dead and would still at that point, still recording. And again, sound like a 20 year old kids laying on those tracks.

Okay, what other songs will be on the album?

We did. We kind of we did. It's a very eclectic mix. We did a couple stone songs. We did a Eddie money, shakin

Oh, that one's already. Oh, yeah, I've

heard that one. That's out. We covered a body count song. Really? Which one? Yes. And I actually got it to ice. And he totally into it. He's gonna be tweeting about it when it comes. That's awesome. Yeah, yeah. Okay, I got my I've earned my hip hop credit. This year. I played on the new Public Enemy record as well.

Yeah, about that. You said? I like this quote. He said flavor flavor. When he's laying down his vocals. He's like, I'm about to put the milk on the cereal.

Yeah, yes. No, I didn't know what he meant. He had la with Chuck D on it. And we're out here in Vegas. He's like, Oh, yeah, let's check this out. Yo, I'm about I'm about to go put on the milk. Like the milk he goes. Yeah, you know, you can't see without the milk on the milk. And he goes in there and Dude, I swear to god it went from being a tract of just you know, Chuck D and a beat to him doing that thing

That's great. Yeah, all right. He's the is the milk before I got into rock I love Public Enemy and NWA those are like my favorites. Like

oh, yeah, I they were I mean they just were just I always like stuff to push the envelope but to me Yeah, that'd be made with sort of like the hip hop version of Guns and Roses You know, there's bad ass definitely

Yeah. And then I'd love to have Public Enemy did the song with anthrax. That's such a great Yeah, I don't know. That's kind of how

I that's kind of how I got close with flayed because I knew them and we you know we we used to go but we did we go bowling together. We live out here in Vegas. The neighbors do that's a site that is awesome.

That is That would be so fun to just turn over and see you and flavor flavor bowling. Yeah, yeah, two o'clock in the morning. It's a fight. Oh, yeah. Oh, the sunset station up in Henderson. Right? Yeah. Okay, yeah. Go there. Two o'clock in the You'll probably see us both hoping Who else is there? Oh no I that a two a 2am Nolan Okay. Do you do you hang out with all the other Vegas music? There's a lot of Vegas rock stars

yes and no I mean I don't really play it I hear a lot at all I just kind of moved out here for the convenience of the airport but the way I kind of really got in tight with les was for 60th birthday party you wanted to do bring the noise and he asked me if I would put a band together around it to play to play the song we did it. It was great. He had his his cousin to the Chuck D part. And it was really cool be myself and DJ ashba play guitar step from was played play drums It was a lot

are you guys tight?

Not really. I don't really know DJ that well because we're always sort of pass each other in and out of bands and whatnot, you know? But I'm working we get along fine whenever we're together but we wouldn't say we're like close friends or anything. And you

said you don't you don't really play a lot in Vegas like you don't don't play like the Sin City sinners that's kind of like now

I've never know I've no I may have sat in once or twice but no, I don't really do any like couples cover gigs or anything out here I'm I'm more you know when I'm when I'm working in the music industry outside of play the plain and quiet Riot hookers and blow is mainly booking. You know, you do a lot of booking and oh, yeah, I there's I got a tour out right now. And faster Pussycat, that's enough. Like almost 40 shows.

Oh, yeah, I saw that. I don't think they're coming to Phoenix, though.

I'm sad. Now we're working on that. Oh, might happen the first week in August.

Okay, nice. Yeah, I've seen I've seen chips version a couple times. And I saw him with Donnie v one time it was like on a Sunday night. And I just I was like, dude, I gotta see this. I gotta go. And I drove down and they were awesome. But they're good every time. I've never seen

it's a good show. It's a good show. And fat and fast has got definitely got their thing. They've sort of evolved into a whole different band than what they were in the 80s. Yeah, really, cat is really good at keeping things keeping it going. And, and, you know, we, you know, kind of reinvented himself.

Yeah, I've got I've had Sam BAM on the show. And I love that. He said he's gonna be the next Jerry Cantrell, which is, I'd love to see that happen. I'd love to see.

You know, I could see Shan getting good. I mean, he's, he's, he's really, really, really good. And I could see him definitely ended up in either something like that, or playing guitar for someone really big. He's that good.

And he's such a nice guy, too. Yeah. Isn't that a big piece of it, too? With all these, like with you in getting all this repeated work? If you're an asshole, you wouldn't be able to get all these jobs.

Yeah, you don't you know, listen, anybody can play these these fucking songs. Yeah, you know, it's not rocket science, it's about being a good person being easy to be around, you know, not being a dick not being you know, being shady or shifty. And just being someone you because keep in mind, you're on stage for one hour a day and you're around each other, the other 23 either at a hotel or an airport or a restaurant and you know, you want to enjoy you want to enjoy your time. You know,

And you see, like, you must see the gamut of like people that go like, above and beyond with the drugs and shit. And then people that just don't do any drugs, right, because that's what I when I interview these guys. There's a lot of people that were big partiers, and now they totally sober. But then there's some like, like Rachel Bolin was telling me, he's like, Yeah, we do shots before we go on stage. So I'm like, you guys are still doing

seems like everyone's I mean, I quit drinking. I quit drinking a year and a half ago. I haven't drank at all. Really? I mean, you know, yeah, it's just after 30 I'm 44. And I just noticed the recovery time the hangover, just And plus, you know, you know, you're not not getting any younger visual, either. So, you know, you figure you this case is better off all the federal fall around the not especially doing Friday from a row you have to be up at four o'clock in the morning, that those days are

but some people do try to push that, right, like in their 40s and 50s. And

even similarly, I think I think it really depends on the person some people can can function on it. Some people can't some people, it's all a personal choice, you know? Yeah, I'm

with you, though. I I noticed like the older I get, I'm like, Dude, it's like you said the recovery time. It's like you

can't i can't like I mean, I when I was in my 20s I could, you know, drink all night party. All right, do whatever. And, and, you know, sleep for three hours and get up and feel great. Now. It's like if I were to do that, I would be in bed for two days. You know?

Yeah, no, for sure. It hits you a lot harder. And some people like are in denial with that, like, that's so weird like, you know, they try to blame other factors or something like no it's just because you get an old you know, so

yeah it's yeah there's no there's no other reason it's your your body metabolizes the shit differently as you get older you know? Yeah,

well good for you that's all I did you didn't like did you have to go to treatment or anything you just said no no no I just decided

no it wasn't like that he just like I'm sick of this I'm sick. It's actually I can't get paid the exact moment. It was two Super Bowls ago, I was at a Super Bowl party and I got hammered and like with my then girlfriend now wife, and I woke up like, you know, I can't I've done this, I feel like shit. I look like shit. That was not fun. You know, I spent 200 bucks in some shitty bar it remember being at? I'm over, you know.

So what do you do for fun now?

Ah, I mean, you know, music, you know, it's and and just, you know, I mean, with quiet Riot I'm doing a lot more of the advanced work and stuff that Frank he did. So that occupies a lot of my time. And, you know, just, you know, you know, trying to stay as busy as possible, especially during the whole pandemic thing. You know, I, you know, I built a home studio. You know, but once a month, my wife and I go golf like Utah, go fishing. Get out of out of the city, you know?

That's a great hobby. Do you still do some music and movie TV stuff? Like you? You guys had some songs. In the quiet right? are beautiful creatures had a song and Sons of Anarchy?

Yeah, we had a song and Sons of Anarchy. We had a song in that movie, the proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. And, you know, that's this. Yeah, I've written for a bunch of different I mean, you know, I've submitted, you know, sometimes he gets used, and sometimes it doesn't, but yeah, I'm always writing. You know, you know, constantly being

last year with a video. I can think I can still hear you. Are you still there? Are there Hello? Yep. Okay, yeah, just checking. All right. Cool. Yeah. So do you have like a lot of clips laying around like riffs and things that you could just? Yeah, yeah, I have it all all catalogued on my computer. Yeah. Cool. All right. So the new quiet Riot coming in at some point hookers and blow in August. Anything else that you've got in the can?

Um, you know, as of right now? Not really No, I mean, the main thing is, July 2, quiet Riot goes back on the road. We our first show back from the summer in Managua, Minnesota. It's off with a special guest jack Russells Great White. That's our first show back and then we're doing if you go to quiet Riot dot band, there's all our dates for the summer fall there. And hookers and blow record comes out August 13. It's available for pre order next week, though.

Right? Yeah, that's really cool. stuff out. Yeah. I've had a couple of people from they're awesome. So yeah, I'm getting I'm getting ready to get back into it. You know? Yeah. Get get my tour. Yeah, so it's quiet, right? Are they gonna? Are they gonna have Phoenix? are you adding dates? I would I'd imagine at some point at some point. Okay. Nothing on the books right now. But yeah, probably before the end of the year. Okay. So people can check the websites and such. That's

Yes. The Ronnie James do stand up and shout. Oh,

perfect. Yeah, I'm surprised I might be the first one to mention that one of all the episodes I've done was kind of

very helpful with Frankie's when Craig he was going through what he was going through, they were very helpful. And

yeah, what did what did they do provide support or

multiple things and a lot of ins and outs, you know, different treatment options and in financial assistance and whatnot, but they were great.

do they work? Mostly with musicians and things? Or anybody? Or I believe it's with anybody? I'm not I don't know, for sure. I don't know. Okay, well, I'll put the link in there. I will Google it. Google it. But that's good to know that they actually helped out a lot. So then that's a good reputable organization. Awesome. Very cool. Well, thanks so much for doing this, Alex. I really appreciate it. Great, thank you. Well, I hope you learn something