Quiet Riot – July 12, 2004

This was a cool show! And a sad show…

Kevin DuBrow was still alive and Quiet Riot was on tour. Their timing though, couldn’t have been worse. While Quiet Riot was booked at an absolute shit hole (yet an awesome venue for some reason) called The Living Room in Providence, RI, Ozzfest was the same night just up the road in Mansfield, MA. My dear friend Miguel and I chose to go to Quiet Riot.

This is one of the few shows I don’t have a ticket stub for…because it was cash at the door only; no tickets to be had. Some local band opened and then they, their friends, Miguel and I, and the 10 other fans got ready for the show. And this is why it was sad. Quiet Riot was their own crew, setting up the stage and getting all their gear ready. They were the first metal band to EVER have a number one album, and now here they were playing for 25 people.

I’d have to think that many once-great bands would be put off playing for 25 people, but not Quiet Riot. They were loud, they were fun, and they sounded awesome! They put on a show for us 25 people as if they were playing for 2500. These dudes have been playing together for years so they were tight and Kevin DuBrow was a great front man.

While they didn’t allow photos or video, the band did stick around after the show to sign stuff for us fans. I have my copy of Metal Health signed by the band, and I also brought my copy of Heavy Bones, a band that Franki Banali was in with Gary Hoey, which was a killer album. I surprised Franki with that one, as he paused for a bit and looked at the album. He then commented, “wow. This is a great album man!” And he’s right! You should check it out if you’re a hair metal fan at all.

Great show! Sad it was only 25 people. RIP Kevin!