We were recently sent the new EP from a band called Maps to the Hollywood Scars that featured guitarist Alex Grossi from Quiet Riot and vocalist James Durbin who had sprung to fame in American Idol in 2011, finishing fourth. In the short time between receiving the EP called “Volume One” and arranging an interview with James it was revealed that he would be the new lead singer for Quiet Riot.
So when I spoke to James in California via Skype on 22nd March we had quite a bit to chat about. You can hear what he had to say about Quiet Riot, Maps to the Hollywood Scars, American Idol and more on the Friday NI Rocks Show that was broadcast on 24th March. That Show can be found on our MixCloud page - https://www.mixcloud.com/NIRocks/interviews-with-jeff-hoad-and-james-durbin-on-the-friday-ni-rocks-show-on-24th-march/
The interview has been transcribed and can be read below.
My other guest on the Show is Jeff Hoad, lead singer and guitarist with The Rich and Famous and previously front-man of Kings of the Sun.
Read more: NI ROCKS Interview with JAMES DURBIN from QUIET RIOT
I’ve been a big fan of American rock band Hydrogyn for many years and was curious to see what path they’d take with their latest album “Redemption” which was released via HighVol Music on 10th March. The husband and wife team of Jeff and Julie Westlake have parted ways and Julie has been replaced on vocals by Erica Parrott. There is undoubtedly a change to the Hydrogyn sound, with Erica bringing a heavier edge to things and the band raising the volume a few clicks! They can still do the slower tunes too though, as evidenced by the track “Jenny”. It’s a different Hydrogyn, but definitely worth checking out! I played the track “My Redemption” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 10th February.
“Endure and Survive” is the latest album from Blaze Bayley and it is the second part of a sci-fi trilogy that commenced with “Infinite Entanglement” in 2016. The new album was released on 3rd March via Blaze Bayley Recording. I recorded a 40 minute interview with the former Iron Maiden singer in February and we chatted in depth about the new album and much more. This interview can be heard on the Friday NI Rocks Show dated 3rd March along with 3 tracks from the new album. The Show is available via the On Demand Player or can be read online - http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/interviews/3074-ni-rocks-interview-with-blaze-bayley.html.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Endure And Survive" by BLAZE BAYLEY
Maps to the Hollywood Scars is a project that features former American Idol contestant James Durbin and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi. They released an EP simply entitled “Volume One” on 17th February, just a matter of weeks before it was revealed that Durbin would be taking over the lead vocalist position in Quiet Riot. I played the track “Till Death” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 24th February.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Volume 1" by MAPS TO THE HOLLYWOOD SCARS