JAMES DURBIN: Performing With QUIET RIOT For First Time Was 'Nerve-Wracking'

James Durbin has admitted that it was “nerve-wracking” joining QUIET RIOT as the band’s seventh lead singer.

Durbin, who became known as the “metal guy” on 2011’s season of “American Idol” after performing “Living After Midnight” and “Breaking The Law” with JUDAS PRIEST, hooked up with QUIET RIOT last month after the dismissal of Seann Nicols (a.k.a. Sheldon Tarsha; formerly of ADLER’S APPETITE). Nicols was with QUIET RIOT for just a few months, but long enough to record the vocals for an early version the band’s upcoming album, “Road Rage”.

Asked by Korea Guitar why it took him so long to take over as QUIET RIOT‘s frontman, Durbin said: “Timing. It happened on both sides, where it wasn’t the right timing. But everything happens when it’s supposed to, if it’s supposed to. I believe God has a plan for me, so just because something doesn’t happen right when I think it’s best, if it’s meant to happen, it will. When it’s right, it’s right.”

Regarding what it was like to perform those iconic QUIET RIOT songs on stage for the first time, Durbin said: “It was definitely a little nerve-wracking just getting my footing with the setlist. I guess I’m still settling into the overall show. It’s a very tight show but can also be a really loose vibe at times, so it’s just getting used to a new stage, new group of bandmates, where the big notes are and building the show around that.”

Durbin, who recently collaborated with QUIET RIOT guitarist Alex Grossi on the “Maps To The Hollywood Scars” EP, said his decision to join QUIET RIOT was partly motivated by his desire to elevate the band’s status to levels not seen in the decade following original singer Kevin DuBrow‘s death.

QUIET RIOT announced last month that it would delay the release of “Road Rage” until this summer so that Durbin could replace all the vocals on the album with new lyrics and melodies.

Durbin made his live debut with QUIET RIOT on March 18 at The Cotillion in Wichita, Kansas.

Drummer Frankie Banali revived QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after DuBrow‘s death, along with Grossi and bassist Chuck Wright. The group went through two vocalists — Mark Huff and Scott Vokoun — before settling on Jizzy Pearl in 2013. Pearl announced his exit from QUIET RIOT last October.