Quiet Riot Reportedly Recruit ‘American Idol’ Singer James Durbin to Front Band
Quiet Riot have endured a number of changes up front since the death of famed singer Kevin DuBrow in 2007. With a new album, Road Rage, arriving in April, they've made yet another switch up front, sacking Seann Nicols (Sheldon Tarsha) in exchange for American Idol finalist James Durbin.
The news was reported by Germany's Rocks magazine (translation via Google), who spoke with drummer Frankie Banali about their rotating vocal slot. "Seann has done a great job on the record, but a band is not just talented - you have to get together," he began. "We had to make the best decision for Quiet Riot. If there are problems so early in the co-operation, it's better to pull the emergency brake."
Nicols joined the group in October of last year and performed five shows with the band.
Revealing he already had previously targeted Durbin, Banali went on, "When I wrote the material for Road Rage with my songwriting partner Neil Citron, James was my favorite. Because he had other commitments, I had to look for a replacement and Seann Nichols was the third on my candidate list. Of course, I would prefer James to be heard on Road Rage, but you can only work with the people who are currently available."
This complicates promotion surrounding the release of Road Rage as the band has turned down cutting a video clip with Durbin in tow now. "The dilemma is that I should ask James to move his lips to the vocals of another. I do not want to put him in an unpleasant situation, which could give the fans a wrong impression."
It won't be long before fans get new music with Durbin's pipes as Banali explained, "But I've already started writing new songs for an album with James, which will be released next year."
Road Rage will be out April 21 on Frontiers Records. Pre-orders can be placed at Amazon or digitally through iTunes. Digital pre-orders will include an instant gratification download of the newly released single, "The Seeker," which can be heard below.
Quiet Riot, "The Seeker"
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