It has been said if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. Of course drive, dedication, and ability to roll with the punches is not withstood to do so, but that is what living your dreams is all about. For Guitarist Alex Grossi, he has been riding his Rock-n-Roll fantasy for over two decades now, joining up with some of his childhood heroes in the process. Playing and being an important part of bands like Adler’s Appetite, Beautiful Creatures, and Quiet Riot, Grossi has even joined an all-star group of sorts, Hookers & Blow. Joined by Mike Duda of W.A.S.P. on bass, Johnny Kelly from Type O Negative on drums, and Dizzy Reed of Guns N’ Roses on keyboards, Hookers & Blow are now out on the road in 2016 to rock clubs coast to coast. Recently we caught up with the busy Grossi for a closer look into his career in Rock, a talk about Hookers & Blow, and much more.
CrypticRock.com – You have been involved in Rock-n-Roll for over two decades in a variety of bands including Steven Adler’s band Adler’s Appetite, Beautiful Creatures, and Quiet Riot. First, tell us, what has this journey been like for you?
Alex Grossi – It has been a crazy one, with ups and downs and everything in between. I have gotten to tour, write music, and record with some of my biggest childhood heroes.Very lucky to do this for a living!
CrypticRock.com – That is amazing. The music industry can be very tough and could break many people. What do you think the key to your longevity in this industry has been?
Alex Grossi – You have to be able to adapt to whatever you are doing and be prepared for rejection, failure, etc…as it is inevitable. I also think that not taking yourself too seriously.
- Shrapnel
- Spitfire
CrypticRock.com – Yes, you definitely need to be able to adapt. You have attained a great run with Quiet Riot. What has your time with Quiet Riot been like?
Alex Grossi – It has been an amazing ride, and I am really looking forward to starting up my twelfth year with the band in 2016. I have learned a lot from Frankie (Banali), and of course the late, great Kevin DuBrow.
- Chavis
- RSM
CrypticRock.com – That is great. Quiet Riot recently released a documentary entitled Quiet Riot: Well Now You’re Here, There’s No Way Back. This is a great film about the past, present, and future of the band. What was it like being a part of this piece of history with the band?
Alex Grossi – I am very proud of the way the movie came out. Regina Russell (Director) did an excellent job capturing the moments as they were happening, and told the story as it was, good, bad & ugly. It has just been released on DVD with a ton of extra bonus footage and interviews, which are VERY cool, not just for Quiet Riot fans, but anyone really.
CrypticRock.com – That is good to know. Fans are sure to be interested in checking it out. As everyone knows, you were a part of Beautiful Creatures on their 2005 sophomore album, Deuce. This was a band that had a lot of positive buzz around them. You departed from the band around 2009. Will fans ever see Beautiful Creatures again?
Alex Grossi – Yes, I joined the band after DJ Ashba left, and almost immediately found myself writing and demo-ing songs for 2005’s Deuce. There was a big buzz and anticipation for that album, which ultimately landed us placements in Sons Of Anarchy, as well as the Touchstone Pictures movie The Proposal (2009) starring Sandra Bullock. As far as us ever doing anything again, aside from maybe an L.A. one off or something like that, I highly doubt it. We are all still friends and see each other from time to time when we are on the same bill with our current bands, but I would say that is the closest it will get.
CrypticRock.com – At least you still on good terms, and one never really knows what may happen. You are also part of a project called Hookers & Blow, which features yourself on guitar, Mike Duda of W.A.S.P. on bass, Johnny Kelly from Type O Negative on drums, and Dizzy Reed of Guns N’ Roses on keyboards. How did this project come about?
Alex Grossi – Hookers & Blow originated in Hollywood at the Cat Club (which closed about 6 years ago). I initially met Dizzy when we brought him into the studio to play on some Beautiful Creatures tracks. We started jamming at the club as well and decided to take it on the road, under the name Hookers & Blow. It started out as pretty much a joke, but here we are eleven years later, and it has now really become viable. Adding Duda and Kelly really gave it a shot in the arm musically. We also now tour with Don Jamieson from That Metal Show on VH1. He does his stand up right before we go on, which solidifies the whole show as one big party, which is exactly what we intended. We even hosted two residencies at the landmark Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood in 2013 with guest musicians that included members of Marilyn Manson, The Cult, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., Ignite, Alice Cooper, T.S.O.L, Ace Frehley, and more.
CrypticRock.com – That is a pretty interesting story. While the band has been active for many years performing, Hookers & Blow are kind of one of Rock’s best kept secrets. With that said, for those who have not heard the band, how would you best describe the music?
Alex Grossi – We do a lot of deeper cuts off the Use Your Illusion records that Diz played on, as well as a pretty cool mix of classic Rock covers, not re-inventing the wheel, just having fun.
CrypticRock.com – That is what is should be about, fun. The band is currently on tour through February 14th. How are the live gigs going thus far and what can fans expect when they come out to see the band?
Alex Grossi – We just finished up a run on the East Coast, and have five shows in the Midwest starting on Feb 10th. They have been great so far, we have never properly toured the Midwest, so it should be extra fun.
CrypticRock.com – Awesome. As mentioned before, Comedian and VH1’s That Metal Show co-host Don Jamieson is hosting this line of shows. How did you become involved with Don?
Alex Grossi – We have been friends with Don since the very first Hookers & Blow shows. He always came out to support us, so we decided to pair up for a run in 2014. It was such a success and so fun, that he has been doing it with us since then.
CrypticRock.com – Nice, it is always great to have good company. What are some of your musical influences?
Alex Grossi – I cut my teeth on Guns N’ Roses, KISS, Mötley Crüe, etc. Then I got into Eric Johnson, etc, as I got older, but I mainly a “band” guy. I never was a big fan of “Shred Guitar” players.
- Casablanca
- Elektra
CrypticRock.com – Some Classic choices. My last question for you is pertaining to movies. CrypticRock.com covers music and Horror/Sci-Fi films. If you are a fan of Horror/Sci-Fi films, what are some of your favorites?
Alex Grossi – I loved Freddy and Jason films as a kid, actually still do. Never really got the whole Star Wars/Star Trek stuff though.
- Paramount Pictures
- New Line Cinema
No comment