QUIET RIOT / FREAKSHOW drummer Frankie Banali is featured in a new interview with Ludwig Drums. An excerpt is available below.

Ludwig HQ: Everyone hears about the decadence of the Heavy Metal Heyday of the early-to-mid '80s. As a member of a band that pioneered that kind of image, are the Behind The Music stereotypes true?

Frankie Banali: "With regards to the VH1 generated Beyond The Music shows, you really need to view those as a set format, in a way a tried and true plot, which every show follows. They all have the Humble Beginnings portion, the Rise To Success And Excess portion, the Personal Tragedies/Road To Redemption, and the end of the story…for now! Sensationalism at every level sells interest, so the story line is directed toward and feeds off of that. While the stories are generally true, there are many aspects of the story, the interviews, etc., that are unused simply because it’s not titillating enough to include; but therein you lose a lot in the progression of the stories. Understand that this is not criticism, but an observation as an overview. There is just so much time to cover a story, and I am just happy that they chose to include Quiet Riot!

As to the stereotypical portrayal of the bands from the 1980’s, let’s just say that if you get a 50 gallon drum and fill it with dog food, the dog will eat until it explodes if he can get to it! Much is the same for the bands and musicians from that genre. We all had a great time, it was a great ride! For the most part, we all got whatever we wanted, a few have managed to retain their success (or part of it,) and a lot did not. Many fell to the wayside, or worse, through lifestyle choices. Every ride has a beginning, a middle, and an eventual end; no matter how many tickets you have."

Go to this location for the complete interview.