There are some musicians of huge and priceless importance no matter how popular they are. One of them is the one and only Paul Shortino, the voice of Rough Cutt, later on of the great Quiet Riot, the characteristic screaming voice of Hear ‘N’ Ais and most recentle of the re-activated King Kobra. Before the release of the anticipated 1st album of King Kobra with Paul Shortino on vocals, Solid Rock grabbed the chance to speak with the great singer for his new plans, his time in Quiet riot, Rough Cutt, his solo career as for the return of…”Hear ‘N’ Aid!  

Interview: Harris Bakopoulos, Lady Evil.

Solid Rock: Hi Paul, welcome to SolidRock.gr! The news is still hot; King Kobra is back and you’ll be the man behind the mic. How did it all happen, really?

Paul Shortino: I was working on the Keel record, recording Ron Keel’s vocals, when I get a call from Carmine about coming aboard. I said I would be honored. So Carmine, David and I got together at my studio and put down some idea’s. There was magic & chemistry! We all clicked. Then we set a date to go into Hit Track Studio to track the drums on to tape. I tracked my vocals at Music Works Entertainment Studio. It just happened so fast .  

Solid Rock: Did you have any second thoughts about singing for a band that has been on hiatus for too long? Or this was a bonus motive, on the contrary?

Paul Shortino: I was on board the minute Carmine asked me. I knew this record would be a fun project. To work with a legend like Carmine, is an honor. The beauty of all this music we threw together, is we became friends. 

Solid Rock: How are the rehearsals going so far? Will the new album be released in early 2011 as announced?

Paul Shortino: Well, we just finished the record. Rehearsals are Rockin! The CD will be released sometime early February 2011.

Solid Rock: Are you planning on hitting the road at some time too? Is there a chance for Europe to be included really?

Paul Shortino: We are working on festivals for 2011. We also are gearing up to do a video.

Solid Rock: I always considered Rough Cutt to be an extremely unlucky band. Still, we in Europe always had limited information (before the Internet days) on what was going wrong or right in the American continent. In retrospect, what was the key factor for the band’s lack of commercial recognition?

Paul Shortino: Timing is a big factor in a bands success. We looked for one year to find the right producer, Tom Alum. That is where the timing comes in. Ratt, Dokken, & Quiet Riot got signed around the same time. We were still looking for producers. We had a great bunch of tours but our A&R guy left the label, product not in stores, just no support.

Solid Rock: Are the Rough Cutt albums available on CD again, as we speak? I have the original vinyl copies and really do not know if and who pressed the “Rough Cutt” and “Wants You!” albums again for fans possibly on the hunt for these two little gems. Which one do you prefer (musically), by the way?

Paul Shortino: Yes, they are on CD online at Woundedbird.com.  Wendy Dio is re-releasing RC on Dio’s record Label, Niji. Some of the older stuff too, w/ Jake E. lee, Goldy & more.

Solid Rock: Many fans consider the “Quitet Riot” 1988 album as your finest moment all these years. What are the key factors that resulted in such a killer LP? I don’t know, did the album sell relatively well back then or was low sales the reason for the band breaking up?

Paul Shortino: That was a good record. It would have done better if we would of toured. But we passed up tours that were offered because of Frankie’s mother and my mother being ill at the time. The break up was pure politics around the band. Not in the band, Producers, Managers etc…

Solid Rock: I saw you recently opened a forum page on your official website. I can recall you always had a special relationship with your fans. Now, with the Internet growth, I guess you and your fan base are even closer now, huh!

Paul Shortino: I try to stay in touch with the fans. If it weren’t for the fans, I would not be able to do what I do. 

Solid Rock: For people not familiar enough with your other works apart from Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot, which stuff would you eagerly propose in order to know Paul Shortino better? I’d bet on the Shortino/Northrup “Back On Track” 1993 CD! This CD is due to be re-released, right?

Paul Shortino: This is a great CD! You will hear me at some of my best work! But the newest Shortino CD, “Chasing My Dream” produced By Michael Voss, is really one of my favorite CD’s! It was released last year on AOR/Metal Heaven Records. 

Solid Rock: Are you having any plans on releasing a brand new solo work? I bet you have enough songs ready to make it to an album, right?

Paul Shortino: Not right away. I want to focus on King Kobra. I am currently working on a project with a guitarist, Michael Cosyn, that is almost finished. Have done a few guest spots on some new European artists coming out next year.

Solid Rock: How have you kept your voice in such good level? I’ve seen some YouTube clips with Great White and you sound awesome.

Paul Shortino: I believe you need to keep using it. Sing as much as you can. As far as doing anything special, just don’t abuse it! 

Solid Rock: I read on your official website you’ve been involved in some other music business too, with MusicWorks Entertainment/Rock Quarry Records. Can you give us some more details about it?

Paul Shortino: Well, we have a Production company, MusicWorks Entertainment, that my Partner JT Garrett and my wife Carmen are involved in. We look for talent to develop and record. We have a record Label called Rock Quarry Records that we have released a couple bands on - Level, Black Tora and a few solo projects .

Solid Rock: Really, can you imagine your life doing a normal ‘office’ job? Were you strict from the start you’d be making your living out of music?

Paul Shortino: I have had to do a real job off and on in my life, but always music related. I love doing music for a living. It is something I’ve always loved and I believe you have to love it. 

Solid Rock: I know you were a close friend of our beloved Ronnie James Dio. A few months ago you told me that there were plans for a BIG Ronnie James Dio memorial event, I’m talking about a Hear N’ Aid comeback. Is there something new on this and can you reveal any details about it? 

Paul Shortino: I do miss the great Ronnie James Dio. He was too young to die. He was a great talent, a gentle man, with a gentle spirit. I can only tell you his memorial event was a great honor to be a part of. I can say that the Hear N’ Aid will be released this year and might have some bonus footage. Wendy Dio is in control of Dio and RC memorabilia.

Solid Rock: Paul, thanks a lot for taking the time to answer to our questions. Hope to see you soon again on European soil! God bless you!

Paul Shortino: To all fans and readers:

«We might not be around tomorrow

 We’re in a place that we can’t stay

 The greatest thing we’ll ever know

 Is to live life for today»

Visit Paul Shortino:

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