Interview with Frankie Banali

Last month I got to interview drummer Frankie Banali and ask him about Quiet Riot, his Led Zeppelin tribute album and other things.


MM-You have “24-7-365: A tribute to Led Zeppelin” coming out on September 18th. How did the idea for this project come about?

FB-This release is the result of my lifelong love for the music that was created by Led Zeppelin and especially the drumming of the legendary great John Henry Bonham. They are my favorite band, he is my favorite drummer.


MM-The album is by Frankie Banali and friends. Who are your friends that play on the album and how did the recording process go?

FB-The recording process was at a slow pace both by design in that I wanted to use certain recording equipment and vintage musical equipment to achieve some level of retro authenticity, and by necessity due to my musical friend's geographic locations and their own musical schedules.





I handled the drumming and percussion duties and was joined by Tony Franklin (The Firm/Blue Murder) on bass on all the tracks.

1. The Wanton Song - Alex Ligertwood (Santana): Vocals - Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake): Guitar.
2. Four Sticks - Glenn Hughes (Black Sabbath/Deep Purple): Vocals - Steve Fister (Lita Ford): Guitar - Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot): Drums/Djembe/Doumbek- Neil Citron (Hero): Keyboards.
3. Kashmir - Don Dokken (Dokken): Vocals - Michael Lardie (Night Ranger/Great White): Keyboards - Steve Fister: Guitar.
4. Out On The Tiles - Robin McCauley (Michael Schenker/MSG): Vocals - Reb Beach (Winger/Whitesnake): Guitar.
5. Ramble On - Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt/Quiet Riot): Vocals - Steve Fister: Guitar.
6. The Ocean - Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen): Vocals - Bruce Kulick (Kiss): Guitar.
7. The Immigrant Song - Bobby Kimball (Toto): Vocals - Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses): Guitar.
8. Royal Orleans - Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen/Talisman/Soul SirkUS): Vocals - Gilby Clarke: Guitar.
9. Gallows Pole - Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot): Vocals - Steve Fister: Guitar/ Mandolin /Banjo.
10. Custard Pie - Chas West (Bonham): Vocals - Bill Leverty (Firehouse): Guitar.
11. When The Levee Breaks - The 24/7 Overture- Levee Guest Vocalist: Joan Fraley.
12. (They Were) The Eye Of God - Frankie Banali: Drums & Hand Percussion - Neil Citron: Guitar/Bass/Keys/Stringed Instruments.


MM-You are currently finishing up a tour with Quiet Riot. How has this tour gone so far and what was it like playing Rocklahoma?


FB-Actually, QUIET RIOT perpetually tours and we will continue doing so. Rocklahoma was a great experience for us and we were happy to participate in an event that continues to promote this genre of music.

MM-Quiet Riot have been on again-off again over the years. Does that make it difficult to pick up where you left off when you start work on a new album?

FB-From my vantage point, there has been a reasonably ongoing QUIET RIOT since 1983 to date with the exception of from around 1989 to 1991. So unusual business as usual!

MM-Kevin had Quiet Riot with Randy Rhoades that did two albums. Then you were in the classic “Metal Health” line-up and even the self titled album line-up without Kevin. Then there have been a few line-up changes since that point. Do you feel like all of these line-ups are really part of the same band despite the numerous personnel changes?

FB-Well, every band goes through changes, so that aspect is not unusual. As long as QUIET RIOT has Kevin DuBrow as the singer and myself as the drummer, I feel that you have the representative version of the band. The two of us have been the nucleus and foundation of the "known" QUIET RIOT since 1981 well before we recorded Metal Health. This in no way is to disrespect anyone that participated in QUIET RIOT in the past because everyone that has been in the band added to the whole and I am grateful to each and every one of the past members.

MM-You have played on a number of WASP albums. Is that relationship over or is there any chance of you playing with them for another album?

FB-Over and done, but I did very much enjoyed my participation on the recordings and the WASP fans by and large have been incredibly nice to me. The Headless Children is still a wonderful set of recordings.

MM-You have been playing drums for a long time. With age do you have to practice differently now more than you did say twenty years ago?

FB-I practiced more from the time I started playing as a kid until I was 18 or 19 and then started playing live and recording on a regular basis. I rarely have time to practice since I have been fortunate enough to be a working musician more often than not.



MM-You have played on many albums over the years with numerous artists. You have toured all over the world and now you are doing a cover album. Are there any career goals that you have yet to accomplish?

FB-My goal has always been and continues to be that of a practicing musician, to continue to perform, record and hopefully to improve both as a musician and a person along the journey. I just recently completed a recording session for a Spanish Flamenco artist and it was a thrill for me to explore new musical territory. The artist is Pele De Los Reyes and he and his group are fantastic.

MM-Choose the band you prefer from each pair.



FB-

Motley Crue or Ratt
Motley Crue, of course! Dr. Feelgood is still a great track!


Rolling Stones or the WHO
The Stones for the groove, the Who for the diversity.


Black Sabbath or Deep Purple
Deep Purple, Ian Paice is the real deal. Black Sabbath is scary!


Cinderella or Poison
Cinderella for the blues/rock, Poison for the friend/hang.....

MM-Any regrets in your music career?

FB-None, just happy to still be in the game!

Thanks to Frankie for the interview. His site and Myspace page are below.

http://www.frankie-banali.com/

http://www.myspace.com/frankiebanali