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Recently, bassist extraordinaire Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot,
House Of Lords, Alice Cooper,
Ted Nugent
among many others) was kind enough to take a break from his decidedly hectic
schedule to speak with us regarding, among many other things, the future of the
legendary Quiet Riot...
Todd: How did you become reunited with Quiet Riot?
Chuck Wright: "...It all started with a couple one off shows I did with Kevin
and Frankie...then the Bad Boys Of Metal tour this past summer. Kevin contacted
me and said he was going to do it, but I'd have to play bass for everybody. I
said "hey great" (laughs). I ended up playing for over three hours backing Bang
Tango, Steven Adler (doing Guns 'n' Roses material), Jani Lane (Warrant) and
then Kevin. We'd do some of his solo material and a lot of Quiet Riot tunes. It
was quite a long evening for me. When you do something like that, you have to be
at 110% for each set...so at the end of the night, I was wiped.... Then there
was the traveling... We had a thing we called the "Daily Tidbits Of Buffoonery"
with that tour...there was always something going wrong...like the trailer
coming off of the bus on the freeway, the drivers always getting lost, Adler
almost setting the bus on
fire by falling asleep with a lit cigarette...there was always something. We
went through four busses in three weeks."
Todd: Oh, wow.
Chuck: "Once they were able to get back the use of the name Quiet Riot, the next
logical step for me was
to rejoin the group. We actually had our first gig with (Beautiful Creatures
guitarist) Alex (Grossi) on New Years eve. It was so much fun. Playing again
with Kevin and Frankie is just awesome...we have something
that I call the psychic connection (laughs). We've been playing together for so
long...off and on since
1981"
Todd: What led to you leaving the group prior to the recording of Metal Health?
In hindsight, it seems like
an odd time to leave.
Chuck: "I had been playing with Kevin for quite a while in a band that really
was Quiet Riot but was called DuBrow. I did all of the demos, I did all of the
club dates, I did all of the showcases. I sang on every track on the album and I
played bass on a lot it too. But when (original guitarist) Randy (Rhodes) died,
Rudy wanted back into the band and it made sense on a business level for him to
rejoin...they could legitimately call it Quiet Riot again. Plus, he was there
before me. I kinda replaced him. Plus, I had my own band at the time. The effect
for me was a lot more dramatic once they started selling so many records and
became so popular...you might know, I'm playing bass on the tracks "Bang Your
Head" and "Don't Wanna Let You Go" as well as singing with Kevin and Carlos on
every song on Metal Health."
Todd: That must have been difficult.
Chuck: "It's a great record and is still selling...it was
a lot of fun to make. I had a strong feeling that "Cum On Feel The Noize" was
going to be a really big song for them because of how commercial it was. One
morning Kevin called me...he actually woke me up and asked me how it felt to be
part of the number one record in the country."
Todd: (Laughs)
Chuck: "It was a really mixed feeling, ya know? I was really happy for them, but
it was definitely a double edged sword for me. That's just the way things went
down back then. I totally understand why things went the way they did."
Todd: How would you describe your tenure with Giuffria?
Chuck: "This was another highlight for me. Basically, they just asked me to come
in a re-do the bass tracks on their record and then they asked me to join. We
had a hit and ended up doing sold-out arenas with Deep Purple and
Foreigner...then we went and headlined in Japan. I got a call from Kevin about
Rudy leaving. They offered me an equal cut. Plus, I could write with them, which
wasn't possible with Giuffria. It was just (keyboardist) Greg (Giuffria) and
(vocalist) Dave Eisley...they didn't even let anyone else try to contribute.
That's part of the reason why (original guitarist Craig) Goldy left to join Dio,
too."
Todd: That has to be a creatively stifling situation. When you listen to the
first (self-titled) album, it's pretty obvious there was a lot of potential.
Chuck: "I agree with you totally. Sometimes, certain people have delusions of
grandeur (laughs). Greg is
definitely one of those people...his ego is way bigger than his talent."
Todd: With that in mind, were you surprised he chose not to participate in the
House Of Lords reunion?
Chuck: "The new House Of Lords record was really arduous to put together because
of the logistics of getting everybody together...we all live in different parts
of the country. The label...(Italy-based)...Frontier Records...was unbelievably
difficult. .In fact, while we were in the studio recording the new House Of
Lords record, they released an album with thirteen songs on it...nine of which
featured Greg, myself, (guitarist) Lanny Cordola, (drummer) Ken Mary and Dave
Eisley which were the demos for the first House Of Lords
album."
Todd: They completely undercut the release of the new recording?
Chuck: "Yeah...and it was our own label that did it...I just couldn't believe
it. Then they told us if we didn't like it, talk to Dave or we could come to
Milan and sue them."
Todd: Wow!
Chuck: "We had a lot of problems with Gregg right from the beginning. Greg
originally agreed to do the
record...I kept sending him E-Mails and calling him asking him to send us some
songs or some
ideas...anything. Nothing would come...he's a busy business man in Las Vegas.
The rest of the band recorded some tunes together that the label finally agreed
to accept... ...I sent him the tracks and he said "okay, I'll got to Ken's
studio and do the keyboards". ...Everything was on line and ready to happen...
...Then, I get this E-Mail from him saying he wasn't going to do the House of
Lords album because he had just signed a solo deal with the label we were on..."
Todd: Oh, man...
Chuck: "...It was just bad business on the labels behalf...they came back to me
and said '...you told us you would have Greg Giuffria. Now that you don't, we
are not going to pay you the rest of the money we owe you...' ...So we ending up
having to finish the record with their staff engineer...he's a nice enough guy
and talented...it's just that we wanted to finish the record at a real studio,
not in a garage studio using Pro Tools. ...But we had to do what they wanted or
there would never be a new House Of Lords record and after all that effort to
make it happen...over two years, we just went along with them."
Todd: That's terrible. It's ironic that such a high quality piece of music would
be created under such duress...
Chuck: "...Well, we know what it could have been...that's the difference. We had
plans to add more vocals and more production...the actual mixing would have been
much different. I'm happy with the song composition and the performances
though...they're both really good. ...It's just that we know what it could have
been...and with how that all went down, it just kinda leaves a bad taste in your
mouth."
Todd: I can only imagine.
Todd: Stylistically, how do you feel The Power And The Myth differs from other
House Of Lords releases?
Chuck: "...We've all grown...as writers and players...we're all constantly doing
new records and tours...Ken's become an award-winning producer in his own right.
I think the album shows a lot of maturity, especially lyrically, but we did try
to keep some elements of the House Of Lords sound together when we did it...we
tried to make a record that sounded like we had been together for the last
decade. ...I couldn't go back that far...some guys can go back and make an '80's
sounding record...I just couldn't do that (laughs). I don't think that way
anymore."
Todd: As a fan, I appreciated the fact that you at least attempted to reunite
the original line-up...
Chuck: "...Our full intention was to have the debut line-up of the band, which
we had until Greg cut his own deal with Frontiers."
Todd: I was hoping it wasn't going to be two founding members and a series of
studio musicians...in the vein of Demon's Down...
Chuck: "...That version of House Of Lords...that happened after we all went out
separate ways...they should have called it something else. It's sounds totally
different than the other records, and it really was only two guy with a lot of
outside writers. ...To me...it was kind of like the Quiet Riot record that was
done with (former Rough Cut front man) Paul Shortino...they would have been
better served to have called it something else."
Todd: It's a musically competent record...
Chuck: "...Yeah...Paul's a great singer...and there's good songs, Frankie is
stellar as usual, I just think they would have had a better chance if they had
gone out as a new band. I think a lot of that had to do with the label feeling
there was a built in audience with the name. There always seemed to be outside
pressure on us from the label and management in those days."
Todd: At this point in your career, how many releases have you played on?
Chuck: "...I just finished working on a new Pat Travers record with (legendary
drummer) Carmine (Appice), which was a blast to do because we were hitting
analog tape...it was a real Rock 'n' Roll record...real old school... I did half
of it and (former Blue Murder bassist) Tony Franklin did the other half. I also
have a compilation just released on Cleopatra Records from the Odd Man Out
projects that I played bass on, co-wrote everything and co-produced.... It has
killer performances by Steve Lukather, Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver), Paul
Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey from Mr. Big, Lanny Cordola, Billy Duffy
(The Cult) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) along with producer Pat Regan
(Deep Purple, Kiss) engineering, playing keys and co-producing.... This record
makes it seventy four...I could be wrong, but I know I have worked on well over
seventy records at this point."
Todd: Wow...
Todd: Musically, what are your influences?
Chuck: "...I'm all over the map...I listen to all kinds of music. I attribute a
lot of that to my best bud Lanny Cordola...he's an audiophile...he knows
detailed information about every kind of style and can play it...from Blue Grass
to East Indian music... We've done a lot of different projects together...we
actually produced two Reggae records together...we did an Ambient Trance record
together...that one's kind of like Enigma... We did a Rock/Rap record with Sen
Dog from Cypress Hill and Everlast, I'm really into all kinds of things. I'm
known primarily as a Rock bassist, but what I listen to and what I am
into...there is a little bit of that in what I do when I play my bass...it all
adds a special and unique feel to the music. Rock is fun for me to play live...I
love it...I love being onstage... We (Quiet Riot) just played Monterey, Mexico
(with Dio, Twisted Sister, Dokken and Cage) for a crowd of twelve thousand
people and it was such a great feeling...the band was smokin' and the crowd was
so into it!"
Todd: How is the song writing process for the next Quiet Riot record
progressing?
Chuck: "...This is some of the best stuff yet... I've heard some of Frankie's
ideas and I've heard some of the stuff Kevin and Alex have been working on in
Vegas... I've been working on my own as well... If it turns out like I envision
it will, it'll be the best record we've ever done. There's going to be some
really great music on it."
Todd: It would seem that for the first time in a very long
time, everyone is getting along with each other.
Chuck: "The vibe is unbelievable. I know Kevin said the last few years of the
reunited Metal Health era were hell for him, but this line-up is just great. I
just wanna get out there and start playing...we're going to Spain and South
America soon...at that point, I just hope the ball keeps rolling fast and hard."
Todd: Have you ever felt overshadowed by the accomplishments of the Metal Health
era?
Chuck: "...It probably would have been like that if I had
been more of a noticed member of the group... People don't normally read the
fine print and realize that I played bass on "Bang Your Head"... I don't think
it's really been a problem."
Todd: Is it true you felt you were treated like a sideman
when you were last in Quiet Riot?
Chuck: "Yeah...pretty much...House of Lords was more "my" band. Back then in
'87, I was basically a sideman with Quiet Riot even though I was able to
contribute musically... We're more like a band of brothers in this 2005 version.
It's a good vibe...definitely a good vibe."
Todd: Any idea what label the next Quiet Riot record might
be released on?
Chuck: "No...all of the business is now being handled by Frankie...he's the
man...he's the best. I've been with a lot of different managers...guys in suits
with two briefcases and five phones...and he surpasses them all with his
attention to detail and knowledge. He's been around and he's seen it all.
There's nobody better to look out for your interests than somebody that's right
there with ya..."
Todd: What led to your departure from House Of Lords?
Chuck: "...I got ripped off for a lot of money by the bands manager... We lost
our deal with Simmons Records... There was a lot of bad blood floating around
then."
Todd: I didn't realize things had been that bad...
Chuck: "Oh, yeah...it was pretty blatant. When your
expecting a check for over forty grand and your manager hands you a check for
five hundred dollars, you get pretty pissed off, ya know?"
Todd: I can't believe your management ripped you off so
bad...
Chuck: "...Management was a lot of it...Greg was aware of what was going
on...He'd already gone in and taken
more than his cut. The rest of it was just gone...supposedly used for extra tour
support, which we didn't need."
Todd: Any idea what Greg is up to these days?
Chuck: "...I don't know...he's involved in the gaming business in Las Vegas...I
hear all sorts of different rumors about what he's been doing. He built a state
of the art studio that ironically burned down on my birthday."
Todd: (Laughs)
Chuck: "I thought that was a little bit of karma coming back to him since it
happened right after the whole fiasco with his cutting the deal behind our
backs."
Todd: Beyond the dates already booked in Spain, what are your current touring
plans?
Chuck: "...There are a lot of things on the table at this point...we're still
working things out. Right now, the biggest thing that is solid is the Rock Never
Stops tour...with Cinderella, Ratt and Firehouse. I have friends in Cinderella
and Ratt so it's going to be like a bunch of good buddies going out on tour
together. it's going to be a blast (laughs)."
Todd: I can't wait to see it...
Chuck: "Yeah...it's going to be great...I just wouldn't want to be the band
following us (laughs). The thing that makes Quiet Riot different...is that we
actually jam. We're not just going through the motions...we improv and it's a
new experience every night, it's fresh."
Todd: It's great to hear that you are all having so much fun...
Chuck: "...We're doing all kinds of things... Plus, we have that new energy of
young Alex on guitar. He brings that hunger...a lot of guys are jaded now... He
just turned twenty seven and he's just got that energy, you know what I mean?
...It's definitely inspiring."
Todd: Taking into consideration all of the different groups you have been
involved with, is there a specific situation that you regret being involved in?
Chuck: "...I think anytime your making music it's good. The only times I regret
are when I've been ignorant about business matters. When someone says '...hey,
we're doing this demo...' and it turns out to be an actually record...things
like that. ...Not making sure I'm covered business wise in things so if it
becomes huge I can participate... I think I'm one of the richest guys in the
world in experience. I've been around the world many times and was lucky enough
to have worked with some legendary artists... I've been able to do things and
see places that most people only dream about. I'm very rich in that regard. I'm
glad to be still be doing this."
Todd: Any truth to the rumor that you've been playing your "Bass Case" solo
live?
Chuck: "...I do a version of it...it's impossible to do it live because (on the
studio version) there is twelve tracks of bass going on...not all at the same
time...but there is at least two basses playing at all times... Frankie joins in
with me and fills it up nicely...it's a set up to "The Wild And The Young" and
it's been very well received thus far."
Todd: What equipment are you currently using?
Chuck: "...Studio and live are different... Live, I play Schecter guitars...I'm
endorsed by Schecter Guitar Research, Dean Markley Strings and Ampeg... I
basically just use a chorus pedal from time to time... I don't go through racks
of compressors and EQ's... ...I'm old school...I don't use a five string...I use
a Hip Shot if I need to play lower...but In the studio...until this last Pat
Travers project...I used my Spector bass...it always sounds awesome..."
Todd: Do you find it difficult to recreate the "studio experience" within a live
setting?
Chuck: "...Live...it's different every night. You're dealing with all of the
different acoustics of the venue...sometimes your on a hollow stage, sometimes
your on a solid stage...the monitors (laughs)...there are so many different
things that come into play... Your in a controlled environment in the
studio...it's consistent... I use a bass pod instead of an amp when I'm in the
studio...it gives me a little extra drive. I use two channels...one is clean and
one is the pod channel that gives it the sound...it gives it the effect of
distorted speakers pushing air...that grind so the bass cuts through."
Todd: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Chuck: "...Oh, my god (laughs). I've actually been pondering that question
lately...I'm also into graphic designing...I've been doing that now for almost
ten years. I've thought about learning editing, DVD authoring...different
artistic and creative thing that I could do that didn't necessarily involve
getting out and playing live. I want to play music as long as I can...I've
gotten into film scoring, but that's a whole different world...believe me...it's
really political and really crazy. ...It can be rewarding...hmmm.... Ten years
from now, I'm not really sure...I don't really think anyone knows for
sure...unless they have the whole retirement thing planned out...I live in the
moment...now is all there really is... I hope I'm talkin' to ya about it in ten
years. Everyday you can wake up and enjoy the day, being creative and getting
things out of it, is a blessing... Unfortunately, I've lost some really close
friends and loved ones unexpectedly...makes you appreciate everything a lot
more."
Todd: How did you initially become involved in graphic design?
Chuck: "...I've always been into drawing... I hit the books and taught myself...
Word got out and people liked my work...I never advertised... I've done magazine
ads, t-shirt design, banners...tons of CD packaging... It's something I do when
I'm not out on the road and not in the studio...it's a creative outlet for
me...anyone can contact me about it if they want. I'm open to anyone.
...Depending on how much time I have and what they want to accomplish..."
Todd: When your not on tour or in the studio? That can't leave you with very
much time...
Chuck: "True enough...in 2002, I was on the road with Alice Cooper for five
months. We did seventeen countries and seventy three cities... I wasn't doing
too much graphic design back then (laughs)."
Todd: I would imagine not...
Chuck: "I took my laptop out on the road with me, but there wasn't time for
it... But it's nice to have something like that to do... I try to be busy...you
have to...the music industry has changed so much...the budgets aren't there
anymore...it's not even close...you'd be shocked (laughs). I think the public at
large would be shocked...they probably still think it's the same when in
reality, it's like ten percent of what it used to be."
Todd: It's really amazing what some artists and groups are given to work with
financially.
Chuck: "...That's why you don't see as much quality out there on records,
there's a lot of home recording going on and it's so expensive to tour
nowadays...the money just isn't there anymore."
Select Discography
The Power And The Myth (2004) ***
Have A Boom Boom Christmas (2002) **********
Better Than Dreams (2000) ********
Down To The Bone (1995) **
Answer To The Master (1994) ******
Afterlife (1993) *******
Grin And Bear It (1992) *****
Doro (1990) ******
Sahara (1990) ***
Stand In Line (1988) *****
If You Can't Lick 'Em, Lick 'Em (1988) ****
House Of Lords (1988) ***
QRIII (1986) **
Giuffria (1984) *
* as a member of Giuffria
** as a member of Quiet Riot
*** as a member of House Of Lords
**** as a member of Ted Nugent
***** as a member of Impellitteri
****** as a member of Doro Pesch
******* as a member of Blackthorne
******** as a member of The Christian Tolle Project
********* as a member of Freddy Cannon