In the late 1970s, no American metal band played harder, heavier, or faster than Riot. Sure there were other American metal bands at this time. Van Halen countered the genre’s aggression with poppy hooks. Cirith Ungol and Manilla Road had one foot planted firmly in early 70s prog and psychedelia. But it was Riot who established themselves as a fully developed lean, mean metal machine with the release of their second album, Narita (1979). An integral part of their sound was guitarist Rick Ventura, who proudly keeps the fire burning today with his new band, Riot Act. We sat down with Ventura to discuss all things Riot, Riot Act, and why it pays to be the underdog. Now let’s “Kick Down the Wall”!
Greetings Rick and welcome to Defenders of the Faith! How are you doing today?
Rick Ventura: I’m doing good. How are you doing?
I’m doing good as well. We’ve got a lot to talk about, past, present, and future, so let’s start with the here and now. Your new band is appropriately named Riot Act. When did the idea for this band first come about? What inspired you to revisit that classic Riot sound of the late 70s and early 80s?
RV: It came about a few years ago. Lou Kouvaris contacted me and said, “Hey, Rick! We should get together and do something!” *laughs* It never went anywhere. I wouldn’t follow up. It really started when we were inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of History Gala a few years back. Riot was inducted. Lou and I were there. We were taken by surprise. After that, on the plane ride home, I remember looking at him and going, “You know, maybe we should do something. It would be nice.” We never played together. I replaced him in Riot on the Narita album. We had never played together and we always got along well. So we decided, “Hey, let’s play some old Riot songs just to get back in the groove and feel it out.” It just sounded really cool *laughs*. It just brought back that whole sound. We just looked at each other with a big grin on our faces like, “Wow! This is pretty cool!” That’s essentially how it started.
Riot Act’s debut album, Closer to the Flame, features 10 original songs in the vein of old school Riot, as well as an album of re-recorded Riot classics. What were your favorite songs to revisit and how did it feel playing these alongside Lou Kouvaris?
RV: It was wild. Like I said, we had never played together. Our guitar styles just meshed so perfectly. It just came so natural. We just had the sound and the feel. It was a blast to play those songs. We just had so much fun, that’s all I can say. It was just so much fun to play those songs with Lou. It’s just a shame he’s not with us anymore. My favorite songs, there’s quite a few. I like “49er”, “White Rock”, “Swords and Tequila”. There’s quite a number of them I like and they’re fun to play.
Could you tell us a bit about who’s in the band with you?
RV: It’s Don Chaffin on vocals, Paul Ranieri on bass, and Claudio Galinski on drums. How we came about is I happened to be playing with Paul and Claudio. When I got together with Lou, he said, “We need a band!” I said, “Well, I’m playing with these two guys. Let’s check it out!” That’s how it started, the four of us. Through a friend of Lou, we got Don. Don didn’t know much about Riot really, so we sent him some tracks and set up an audition you can say. He just knocked it out of the park. He was spot on and captured the whole vibe. He really liked the songs. The more we started to record the old stuff, he really got into it. It just happened, you know. The way we got together just sort of happened *laughs*. That’s how Riot Act was born.
One of my biggest takeaways when reviewing the album is that Don’s voice never tries to sound overtly like Guy (Speranza) or Rhett (Forrester). He sounds like himself, but he captures that energy of the era perfectly.
RV: Yeah, that’s just what comes out of him. The songs that we were writing, he just latched onto them. We wrote the whole album during the pandemic. Each of us were working at home. I would send demos out to him. He would go, “Wow, that’s great man. Send me more!” He just really kicked ass. He really captured it and he sounds like himself, which is really cool. We were never meant to be like, “Let’s try to sound like Riot.” This kind of music is just in me. I’ve always liked to play hard driving rock n’ roll.
I’d love to go back to those early days of Riot that would set you on your musical path. Before joining the band, you were a roadie for them. How long had you known the band for and what were those years like?
RV: I was friends with Mark (Reale) in the early days. I was around from close to day one. In those early stages, they were doing covers. They were a neighborhood band. Mark lived around the corner from me *laughs*. I’d walk around the block and hear music blasting from this house. I’d think, “What is going on here?” *laughs* I wound up just hanging out there a lot and absorbing everything they were doing. They were still getting into the originals. I would help them out. They’d do gigs and I became good friends with Mark. We’d just talk guitars and music and hang out until 5 in the morning *laughs*. It was crazy, crazy times. When it came time to join the band, I was the perfect replacement. I knew everything about the band. I was there. During Narita they said, “Let’s give it a shot.”, and it just worked out.
Which ended up being your first album with the band. Could you tell us a little bit about the making of Narita? Where was the band’s headspace when going into record this album?
RV: It was interesting because Lou was no longer in the band. There were changes that were about to come. I was new to the band and some of the material was being worked out already. Even though I was an insider, I felt a bit like an outsider too because when you get into a band for the first time, you want to fit in and know your place. We had constant turmoil with the band. I think that’s what made the music and energy of the band come through on the record. There were fun and frustrating times during it, but I was happy with the album. I think it’s a really good album. Everybody looks at Fire Down Under as “the album”. Sure, but there’s a lot of great tunes on Narita.
Absolutely. “Road Racin'”, “49er”, “Hot for Love”, every cut on there smokes.
RV: Yeah!
During that era of Narita and Fire Down Under, was the band ever aware of their impact on the metal scene while making and touring behind those albums? Sure the NWOBHM was raging by ’79, but in America, nobody sounded like Riot.
RV: That’s true. We were sort of out of place. There was the punk scene, especially in New York, so we were really out of place. The focus was more on punk and disco, which was around that time too. When the NWOBHM was happening, we got clumped in with that because we were one of the few American bands playing this kind of music, so that was cool. When we went to England, we went over great. We did have quite a few fans in the US, especially in Texas. The band just kicked off there. We had some of our greatest shows in Texas. Looking back at it, you think, “We were out a little too early. If only we were out a few years later.” We just kept on playing the music we liked to play at that time, whether it was in vogue or not. That’s really what happened.
That’s a very good point. Riot was doing in the late 70s what other bands wouldn’t be doing until the early 80s.
RV: Yeah, the band had it’s own sound, a unique sound, especially with Guy on vocals. It was just hard hitting, hard driving heavy rock. That’s really what it was. It was a very unique sound. It was hard to capture that sound when Guy left the band. When we got Rhett, it was a different direction, a different sound. That’s what made Riot unique, the sound that we had. It wasn’t until so many years later that I started to realize and hear from people, “You influenced so many of the newer metal bands.” I’d see people wearing Riot shirts and think, “Wow!” It took a few decades to realize we had an impact *laughs* so that was cool!
When did the band first make it over to England and what was it like for you guys during that NWOBHM era?
RV: Every time we played England the reaction was great. We were on the first Monsters of Rock festival, which was a big deal for us. It was like Woodstock in England. It was wild! The fans just loved the band. We went over great every city we played in, especially there. England has always been a fun place to play. I always got a thrill out of playing England because all my favorite bands were from there *laughs*. I grew up on all those British bands. Yeah, great tours and so much fun. We’re finally going back there in August. It’ll be awesome.
After Narita and Monsters of Rock came the release of the legendary Fire Down Under. There was a dispute between the band and Capitol over this album, as they claimed it was “too heavy”. Were they aware that by ’81, Judas Priest and Van Halen were arena headliners? What happened?
RV: Yeah, it’s kind of bizarre. I guess they didn’t hear a commercial tune on it. We had another song that was a single type of a tune. It never made it on the record. They wanted that as the single and it pissed them off. It’s a pretty heavy, hard driving album. I think we just pissed them off and they said, “Away with you!” *laughs*
It’s funny you say that because the one song on there I always felt was “the single” and should’ve been a massive hit was “Outlaw”.
RV: That did get some airplay on some stations. I remember it did get airplay. It could’ve been the hit. Their heads were just somewhere else. I think our management pissed them off too. There was a lot of turmoil between our management and the record company. They pissed off a lot of companies to be honest with you *laughs*.
If I’m to throw in a personal anecdote, “Outlaw” was my introduction to Riot. I’m younger, so I didn’t discover Riot somewhere cool like a record store. I discovered it on iTunes at the age of 12. That summer of 2011, on our family road trip to the Wisconsin Dells, I’ll never forget listening to that song and “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” by April Wine on repeat.
RV: Oh wow! That’s funny because we played with April Wine. That’s really cool! Yeah, that was probably the closest tune to a single. I’m sure we’ll be playing a few tunes from that album when we play live. It’s gonna be fun playing some of them.
The impact is still there to this day. I know many who consider Fire Down Under to be one of the greatest metal albums of all time, if not the best. Last year actually marked the 40th anniversary. How does it feel looking back on it now after that milestone? Is it shocking to you that it’s continuously viewed as the “be all, end all” album?
RV: Yeah it’s kind of nice, but it makes you realize what an impact that album had on a lot of metal and rock in general. It feels good to be playing again. Hopefully the fans will relate to the new album and dig hearing some of the older tunes when we play live. It should be fun for everybody. We haven’t played out in a few years. Since the pandemic hit, we haven’t gigged. Finally in August, it’ll be a blast to play the new album and some of the old Riot tunes. I’m looking forward to it.
I know you mentioned England. Are there plans for any American dates later this year?
RV: Yeah, actually in September and October we’re gonna have a North American tour. That should be really tour. Everyone can check out the tour updates and videos on our website, www.riotact.com. We’re working on a new video too. It should be released on April 15 to coincide with the album release. A lot of things are just finally happening after 2 years of being locked up *laughs*.
I addressed it a bit earlier, but you can fit in the songs on the new record between those old Riot songs in a setlist. I don’t even think the crowd would be able to tell the difference. The style and approach is so consistent with what everyone knows and loves.
RV: There is a similarity in that I was in the band for quite a number of years and grew up with Mark. We had the same interests in music and playing live, same influences guitar player wise and band wise. That’s just so embedded in me. That’s why I think it comes out like that. It’s just been a part of me for so many years.
Listening to those classic albums, one thing I’ve noticed about the songs you wrote, such as “Feel the Same”, “Loved by You” and others, is that they have a real melodic edge to them. Who were your inspirations as a songwriter and guitarist?
RV: Thanks for saying that. I always try to be on the melodic side and write memorable parts, solos, rambling on riffing. I was speaking to a friend of mine the other day. He was listening to me and said, “I hear a lot of Ritchie Blackmore in you.” Well he was a big influence. I don’t think I sound anything like him, but he’s one of my idols. I love guys like Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Ronnie Montrose. I grew up in the era of the guitar heroes. Back in those days, there were just so many. I love Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen. He was probably one of the last of the great guitars heroes. Then bands like Purple, Montrose. I was heavily influenced by Montrose. I loved Led Zeppelin and all the British bands. Sabbath…I just listened to all those bands.
I’ve heard varying reasons over the years, but why exactly did Guy leave the band?
RV: Probably just frustration. The band put so much time and effort into everything. It just took so many years to get somewhere. There were a lot of issues with management, a lot of bad luck. It was probably out of frustration. Maybe he just got tired of it. It was probably a combination of those things. I really can’t say for sure.
Were there any obstacles the band faced, musically or otherwise, transitioning from Guy to Rhett on vocals?
RV: Well, we knew we weren’t going to find someone that sounded like Guy. We had seen some tapes of Rhett. Rhett had this persona. He was the epitome of the rock n’ roll singer. He had that look, the leather pants, golden hair, the attitude. He was a fun guy. He was a blast actually. He was a very cool dude. I liked writing with him too because he had a bluesier style to him, which fit my style of writing. He would really relate to the songs I did. I think Mark liked that too. The band had to fit the writing style to the singer. That’s why the sound of the band changed a bit, but it’s still Riot. I think there’s some good tunes on Restless Breed. I liked it. It’s always tough when you have to get a new singer. Fans just lock into the original sound of the band, as if to say, “What happened here?” You have to push on.
And push on you did with Restless Breed and Born in America. There’s so many great songs on these albums: “C.I.A.”, “Hard Lovin’ Man”, “Running from the Law”. Like you said, it was a slightly different sound and direction, but it was still Riot nevertheless.
RV: It started to shift a bit towards the end there, but it’s still Riot. Towards the end, things just started to fizz out a bit. We had lost the label. By the end of Born in America, I was gone. That lineup continued for just a short period and then it was just kaput. It was over.
Speaking of Born in America, I’ve always got a kick out of the disclaimer on the back sleeve that reads, “Warning: This Riot is loud and proud and guaranteed to split your skull. Do not accept any imitations.” That wouldn’t necessarily be referencing a certain other band at the time, would it?
RV: Oh no, definitely not! I don’t know if it was directed at Quiet Riot *laughs*. It really wasn’t directed toward anybody. Mark continued with Riot, did many albums, and just went in a different direction. It’s just the way things are. He always played.
At the end of the day, despite all the bad fortune and bad luck that’s happened to Riot, there’s always been this fighting streak. There’s always been this persistence and perseverance to beat the odds, and it’s still that way to this day. Now we’ve got Riot V and Riot Act out there, fighting to keep the spirit of this music alive. I think that’s what attracts not just myself, but so many others around the world to your music. It’s beyond the message and the songs. It’s the bands attitude of, “Hey, we’re still out here and rocking and pushing onwards and forward.”
RV: That’s a good way of putting it. We always had that in us from day one. We had a lot of drive and after all these years, it’s still there. I just love playing this kind of music. We’ll be working on a new album shortly over the next few months. There’s a lot of fans of this music out there. I enjoy playing it and it’s just in me. I’ll keep playing as long as I can.
So I assume Riot Act’s plans for the future are to keep touring and recording?
RV: Yeah, we’re finally gonna tour in August. I can’t imagine what it’s gonna be like to finally strap on a guitar and plug through an amplifier and hit some chords. It just seems so long. The fans are dying to hear live music. I’m dying to hear live music. I haven’t played live in such a long time. It’s gonna be a cathartic and very emotional evening when it finally happens. We’re looking forward to recording new material for the next record. We’re so stoked and we can’t wait to play. Hopefully we’ll be touring more into the end of this year and into next year. We’re really looking forward to playing.
The new Riot Act album, Closer to the Flame, is available now on Global Rock Records. For more information on Rick and Riot Act, visit www.riotactband.com.