Roger Scales of TheyWillRockYou.com recently conducted an interview with legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

TheyWillRockYou.com: You recently announced your departure from BLUE ÖYSTER CULT after five years in the band. What factors led to this decision?

Rudy: Well, as I got more involved with ANIMETAL USA, another new project I'm currently involved with called TRED, plus my involvement with the DIO DISCIPLES and my ongoing work with the Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp, it doesn't allow me any additional time to continue to tour with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. It was a very amicable split and it just came to a point where I was cancelling appearances and it was just a mutual decision to part ways. It was so wonderful to be able to play with them. They are dear friends of mine and I will always treasure the time I had playing with them.

TheyWillRockYou.com: Speaking of the DIO DISCIPLES, what is the current status of this tribute to Ronnie [James Dio] and are there additional plans to record and or tour into the future?

Rudy: They are doing some dates coming up in July and August and due to my involvement with ANIMETAL USA, I could not be involved in them. James Lomenzo will be my replacement. Whenever I'm available, I will do the dates because this is a celebration of Ronnie's legacy and his friendship with the fans and anyone whom he ever played with. This will continue for as long as the fans demand it.

TheyWillRockYou.com: Since the death of Kevin Dubrow in 2007, QUIET RIOT has continued on with Frankie Banali [drums] as the sole remaining member from the band's heyday. Would you ever consider a reunion with Frankie and Carlos [Cavazo, guitar]?

Rudy: I would never say never because that was such a significant part of my life and they are both such good friends of mine. I still hang out with Frankie a lot. We get together frequently and drink coffee and get caught up on projects that we are involved with both personally and professionally. Carlos and I run into each other at events around town on occasion and while out on tour. Everyone is pretty focused in on what they are working on right now. Carlos is a great fit for RATT and he is really enjoying himself. Frankie is carrying on the tradition of QUIET RIOT and his vision of the band. Everybody is happy and healthy and that's what most important.

TheyWillRockYou.com: Earlier you mentioned another band project you're involved with TRED with Mike Orlando [ADRENALINE MOB], Dan Nelson [ANTHRAX] and AJ Pero [TWISTED SISTER]. What stage is that in currently?

Rudy: We have all been very busy working on some other projects at the moment. Mike is out with ADRENALINE MOB, AJ is touring with TWISTED SISTER and Dan is working on some solo material so we are just waiting for our schedules to open up. I will be heading to the East Coast in mid-July to do some promo and rehearse with the band so we can finish up the album. We are still trying to secure a record deal. We have some offers on the table and once everyone finishes up with their other commitments, we will forge ahead. I'm very excited about it because it's so different. It returns to a style of funk metal playing on this record and it takes me back to my roots in the 1970s when I was playing a lot of slap bass. It fulfills a whole other musical side to me.

Read the entire interview from TheyWillRockYou.com.