FRANKIE BANALI Slams W.A.S.P. Mainman For Making Drumming Credits 'Disappear'

QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali, who recently recorded with W.A.S.P. on their two-CD concept epic "The Neon God Part 1" and "Part 2", has spoken out about his "non-credit" on "The Neon God Part 2: The Demise". In an interview with "The Classic Metal Show" conducted on Saturday (Oct. 23),Banali was asked if his opinion of the two-part epic was soured by the personal struggles he's had with W.A.S.P. mainman Blackie Lawless. Read on:

Classic Metal Show: Even though things on a personal level may have gone south between you and Blackie Lawless, are you still proud of your work on the two-CD set "The Neon God Part 1" and "Part 2"?

Frankie Banali: "Well, listen. I've always said all along that regardless of what the personal situation is, I've always been proud of the work that I've done with W.A.S.P. The thing that I find very, very interesting is that before there were the problems between myself and the powers that be...you know, the artwork and everything was already done for 'The Neon God Part 1', and you'll see that I have a credit for drums and percussion. Then, after the problems came to light, there's been sort of a campaign to try to erase me internally from what I did on those records. I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but on the new release, 'The Neon God Part 2: The Demise', my credit has been completely taken away. Now it says that their current drummer is the drummer that's on that. So, I think if people hear the record, they'll know the truth. All I can say about that is that I guess Blackie is the best magician on the face of the planet because he's managed to make drumming credits on the record disappear."

Classic Metal Show: I know you said that you are proud of your work there, but does it sour it for you at all?

Frankie Banali: "No. Absolutely not, because people have changes of opinion about certain things, and they have changes of heart about certain things. Some people handle it in a professional manner, and others don't. As far as the music is concerned, does it sour it for me? No, absolutely not. How could it? I would be a hypocrite to say that I thought what I did and the music was really good when I was a part of it, and then to turn around and say it wasn't good because I'm not a part of it. My problem is really not with the music. My problem is really with the person and the way that person handles things."

Full audio of Frankie Banali's interview with "The Classic Metal Show" is available at Pitriff.com.