QUIET RIOT's BANALI Says SYSTEM OF A DOWN Drummer's Criticism Is Not Rooted In Reality

QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali has responded to remarks made by SYSTEM OF A DOWN's John Dolmayan in a recent interview in which Dolmayan appeared to slag QUIET RIOT off for "liv[ing] way outside their means and squander[ing] whatever they made" during the peak years of their commercial success.

In an interview published in the March 2006 issue of Drum! magazine, Dolmayan is quoted as saying, "I learned the second mistake by not making it. Bands would live way outside their means and squander whatever they made. QUIET RIOT made $20,000,000 apiece, and now they're playing 500-seat venue shows to survive. That's sad to me. Surround yourself with the people that you grew up with that you trust. I maintain my relationships with the people I knew before SOAD became the juggernaut that it is."

Writing to his official web site, Banali issued the following "open letter" to John Dolmayan in response to his remarks in Drum! magazine:

"Dear John,

"Fascinating interview. While I think you are an excellent drummer in a wonderfully popular band, know about what you speak of before doing so.

"I personally never made $20,000,000 dollars as you wrote. Not even close, not even a clean million. And we did indeed as a band spent and wasted monies on tours, production, recording, videos, etc., like any other band does. We also signed a terrible record deal, but I accept that. And while I was comfortable and enjoyed the initial success that QUIET RIOT afforded me in much more humble ways than you imagine, I did not squander my money as you claim, but instead took care of my ailing mother who eventually succumbed to cancer which she suffered from 1982, which predates my success with QUIET RIOT, until her death in 1990. So that you may be enlightened, I too keep my relationship with family, and with friends that I knew before the not so juggernaut that is QUIET RIOT. I even keep in touch on a regular basis with all the members in my first garage band when we were still teens. I may not have the popularity, success, or prestige that you now have with 'SOD' but I certainly have values.

"As to playing 500-seater clubs, sometimes less, sometimes more, and I appreciate every single person that comes to see us.

"I wish you well and enjoy the success your fans currently afford you while you have it. I'll leave you with a favorite George Harrison song title: 'All Things Must Pass....'"