QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali spoke to Sweden Rock Magazine recently following the band's recent appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden on June 7th. A few excerpts follow:

Sweden Rock Magazine: How did you like playing at SRF? The reception from the audience, this being Quiet Riot's first concert in Sweden, the festival as a whole?

Banali: "Playing the Sweden Rock Festival has been one of the best experiences we've had in Europe. The communication between the festival's responsible parties and myself on behalf of Quiet Riot were outstanding. It was a very enjoyable and well planned event. The response of the audience to the performance by Quiet Riot was simply outstanding and very rewarding. I appreciated that the audience responded favorably to the new material from the "Rehab" release and they really welcomed us with enthusiasm when we played 'Cum On Feel The Noize' and especially for 'Metal/Health/Bang Your Head', so very much a really wonderful audience!"

Sweden Rock Magazine: Was it in any way different for you to come here with QR in comparison to W.A.S.P?

Banali: "When I played Sweden last with W.A.S.P., that was in 1989 during the Headless Children tour, so a long time ago and time has changed many things. The venue at that time was much smaller but the audience loved the set and everyone there were very nice to me. But no real comparison as both the bands, Quiet Riot and W.A.S.P., are very different musically and stylistically."

Sweden Rock Magazine: Rehab seems to be the best received QR-album for quite some time now. Do you think this signals a new beginning for the band, and is this the direction you're planning on following in the foreseeable future?

Banali: "I am very happy that Rehab has been embraced by both critics and fans in a positive manner. I think that it is a different sound for Quiet Riot, but in a style we have longed to do for a long time, and if we record another CD, it may well be an extension of this style but not the same."

Sweden Rock Magazine: Will Chuck (Wright - bass) and Alex (Grossi - guitar) participate on the next QR-recording?

Banali: "I would like that to happen if it's right, but that is difficult to say as one never knows what is in the future."

Sweden Rock Magazine: I hear there is a new HUGHES/THRALL album in the works. Will you be playing on that one?

Banali: "I've heard nothing about it, so you would have to ask the voice of rock, Mr. GLENN HUGHES! LOL!"

Sweden Rock Magazine: What are your feelings towards this ongoing Randy Rhoads book-dispute between Kevin (DuBrow) and Rudy (Sarzo)? Are you to be considered involved or a spectator?

Banali: "I understand the motivations on both sides of the disagreements, but I stay out of it because it really has nothing to do with me. I was asked to be interviewed for the film which I initially agreed to do, but decided to decline when all the issues and arguments started."

Sweden Rock Magazine: To round it off: is there anything in particular you and/or the guys will remember from your trip to Sweden?

Banali: "Sweden is great, the Sweden Rock Festival was great, the Swedish fans and the European fans in attendance were great, and I did not eat one single Swedish Meatball!"