James Durbin

S10 · Eliminated 4th

As of March 6, 2026

James Durbin issued the singles Hold Me and Capitola On My Mind in 2025 and Paradise in March 2026 under his own name, and performs around California's central coast as a solo artist and in several bands. His most recent albums are Screaming Steel (February 2024), credited to his heavy metal project Durbin, and We Are the Fire (October 2024) with the band Cleanbreak, both on Frontiers.⁠[1][2][3][4]

Career

After the show

  1. July 6, 2011–September 21, 2011Toured North America and the Philippines with the other top 11 finalists of season 10 on the American Idols Live! Tour 2011.⁠[5][19]
  2. September 2011Announced in September 2011 that he had signed a recording contract with Wind-up Records.⁠[5][8]
  3. November 21, 2011Released his debut album Memories of a Beautiful Disaster on Wind-up Records, produced by Howard Benson; it debuted at number 36 on the Billboard 200 and reached number 8 on the Billboard rock albums chart.⁠[5][20]
  4. April 8, 2014Released his second album, the pop rock record Celebrate, on Wind-up Records; it debuted at number 83 on the Billboard 200 and number 14 on Top Rock Albums.⁠[21]
  5. July 15, 2016Released his third album, Riot on Sunset, independently after raising funds for it through PledgeMusic in 2015.⁠[1][5]
  6. February 2, 2017By February 2, 2017, the first five-song EP of Maps to the Hollywood Scars, his collaboration with Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, was scheduled for worldwide release through New Ocean Media on February 17, 2017.⁠[5][22]
  7. March 2017Became the lead singer of Quiet Riot in March 2017; the band re-recorded its album Road Rage with his vocals, and Frontiers released it on August 4, 2017.Quiet Riot⁠[4][9][17][18]
  8. October 19, 2018Released Homeland, a mostly acoustic album on which he played most of the instruments and wrote all songs except a closing cover of House of the Rising Sun.⁠[1][23]
  9. September 8, 2019Quiet Riot announced on September 8, 2019 that it had parted ways with him; its album Hollywood Cowboys, his second and last with the band, came out on November 8, 2019.Quiet Riot⁠[10][17][24]
  10. October 28, 2020Frontiers Music Srl announced on October 28, 2020 a multi-album deal with him for heavy metal recordings under the name Durbin.Durbin⁠[11]
  11. February 12, 2021Released The Beast Awakens, the first album of his heavy metal project Durbin, on Frontiers, with drummer Mike Vanderhule and bassist Barry Sparks.Durbin⁠[4][5][16]
  12. 2022Co-founded the hard rock band Cleanbreak with Riot guitarist Mike Flyntz and Stryper members Robert Sweet and Perry Richardson; its debut album Coming Home came out on Frontiers on July 8, 2022.Cleanbreak⁠[4][5][15]
  13. July 2022Sang lead vocals on Give 'Em My Love, a single from Alan Parsons's album From the New World, released by Frontiers.⁠[25]
  14. February 16, 2024–October 11, 2024Released two albums on Frontiers in 2024: Screaming Steel with his project Durbin in February and We Are the Fire with Cleanbreak in October.⁠[4][12][14]
  15. August 15, 2025–March 6, 2026Self-released the singles Hold Me (August 2025), Capitola On My Mind (September 2025) and Paradise (March 2026).⁠[1][2][3]

Discography

TitleTypeYearLabelRIAA certificationU.S. sales
American Idol Season 10 Highlights: James Durbin⁠[5]EP201119 Recordings / Interscope Records71,000⁠[5][26]January 19, 2012
Memories of a Beautiful Disaster⁠[1][5][20]Album2011Wind-up Recordsat least 123,000⁠[20][22][27]February 2, 2017
Celebrate⁠[1][5][21]Album2014Wind-up Records
A Thrill of Hope⁠[1][5]EP2015James Durbin (self-release)
Riot on Sunset⁠[1][5]Album2016James Durbin (self-release)
Road Rage⁠[4][9]Quiet RiotAlbum2017Frontiers Records
Homeland⁠[1][23]Album2018James Durbin (self-release)
Hollywood Cowboys⁠[4][10]Quiet RiotAlbum2019Frontiers Records
The Beast Awakens⁠[4][5]DurbinAlbum2021Frontiers Records
Coming Home⁠[4][13]CleanbreakAlbum2022Frontiers Records
Screaming Steel⁠[4][5]DurbinAlbum2024Frontiers Music Srl
We Are the Fire⁠[4][13][14]CleanbreakAlbum2024Frontiers Records

Awards

Checked October 8, 2026; none found.

Sources

27 sources

  1. Apple Music catalog lookup: albums for artist id 474401043 (James Durbin) — Apple Music. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Entry Paradise - Single (collectionId 1878513315): "releaseDate":"2026-03-06T08:00:00Z"
    • Entry Capitola On My Mind - Single (collectionId 1840564720): "releaseDate":"2025-09-12T07:00:00Z"
    • Entry Celebrate (collectionId 1443735892): "copyright":"℗ 2014 Wind-up Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc."
    • Entry A Thrill of Hope - EP (collectionId 1060841403): "copyright":"℗ 2015 James Durbin"
    • Entry Paradise - Single (collectionId 1878513315): "copyright":"℗ 2026 James Durbin"
    • Entry Riot on Sunset (collectionId 1132264028): "copyright":"℗ 2016 James Durbin"
    • Entry Homeland (collectionId 1438336871): "releaseDate":"2018-10-19T07:00:00Z"
    • Entry Hold Me - Single (collectionId 1832946917): "releaseDate":"2025-08-15T07:00:00Z"
  2. James Durbin (official website, home page) — James Durbin. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Home page, The Story: “His newest single "Paradise" is streaming now.”
  3. Santa Cruz rocker and "American Idol" alum James Durbin has Capitola on his mind — KAZU (NPR member station), published October 15, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Paragraph 1: “Durbin’s become a local idol, performing in various bands and as a solo artist around the central coast.”
    • Paragraph 1: “Now he’s got a new single out called “Capitola on My Mind,””
  4. Apple Music catalog lookup: Screaming Steel, The Beast Awakens, We Are The Fire, Coming Home, Road Rage, Hollywood Cowboys — Apple Music. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Entries Screaming Steel (1719693546) and We Are The Fire (1759030924): "releaseDate":"2024-10-11T07:00:00Z"
    • Entry Road Rage (1242413032): "releaseDate":"2017-08-04T07:00:00Z"
    • Entry The Beast Awakens (1536283693): "releaseDate":"2021-02-12T08:00:00Z"
    • Entry Coming Home (1615107718): "releaseDate":"2022-07-08T07:00:00Z"
    • Entry Screaming Steel (1719693546): "releaseDate":"2024-02-16T08:00:00Z"
    • Entry We Are The Fire (1759030924): "releaseDate":"2024-10-11T07:00:00Z"
    • Entry Road Rage (1242413032): "copyright":"℗ 2017 Frontiers Records"
    • Entry Hollywood Cowboys (1474008991): "releaseDate":"2019-11-08T08:00:00Z"
  5. James Durbin (singer) — Wikipedia, updated August 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 7, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Lead sentence: “born January 6, 1989”
    • Infobox, Born line (birth_date): {{birth_date_and age|1989|1|6}}
    • Discography, extended plays table, American Idol Season 10 Highlights: James Durbin row: “Label: [[19 Entertainment|19]], [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]”
    • Discography, studio albums table, Riot on Sunset row: “Independent Release”
    • Infobox, current_member_of: “current_member_of = Durbin”
    • Lead: “Durbin was the lead singer for [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Quiet Riot]] from 2017 to 2019.”
    • Post-Idol: “Along with the rest of the Top 11 finalists, he participated in the [[American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011|American Idol Tour]] that season.”
    • Post-Idol: “It was announced that he was signed to [[Wind-up Records]] on September 5, 2011.”
  6. American Idol season 10 — Wikipedia, updated September 29, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Elimination chart row James Durbin: Pl. 4, Eliminated in the Top 4 column (5/11); ratings table episode 'Top 4 Results Show', May 12, 2011
  7. List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Contestants table, row James Durbin: season 10, place finish 4th
  8. 'American Idol' Contestant James Durbin Signs to Wind-up Records — Loudwire, published September 7, 2011. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Paragraph 1: “he has just signed a deal with Wind-up Records”
    • Paragraph 1: “he has just signed a deal with Wind-up Records, home to the likes of Creed and Seether.”
  9. Road Rage (Quiet Riot album) (Wikipedia revision 1335279781) — Wikipedia, updated January 28, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Infobox label: “label = [[Frontiers Records|Frontiers]]”
    • Lead: “The album finally saw release on August 4, 2017.”
    • Infobox released and label: “released = August 4, 2017”
  10. Hollywood Cowboys (Wikipedia revision 1335279808) — Wikipedia, updated January 28, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Lead: “The album was released on [[Frontiers Records]] on November 8, 2019”
    • Infobox released and label: “released = November 8, 2019”
  11. Ex-Quiet Riot Singer James Durbin Is Working On 'Pure Heavy Metal' Album For Frontiers Music Srl — Blabbermouth.net, published October 28, 2020. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Paragraph 1: “Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of singer James Durbin to the label for a multi-album deal under the moniker DURBIN.”
  12. James Durbin Draws Inspiration From Judas Priest, Dio, Black Sabbath On Upcoming Durbin Album, Screaming Steel; Title Track Music Video Posted — Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, published December 18, 2023. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Paragraph 1: “Frontiers Music Srl welcomes powerhouse vocalist James Durbin back for a multi-album deal under the moniker, Durbin.”
    • Paragraph 1: “is set to unleash his latest heavy metal opus, Screaming Steel, on February 16”
  13. Cleanbreak (Wikipedia revision 1376282709) — Wikipedia, updated September 23, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4)
    • Lead, paragraph 2: “The band was signed to [[Frontiers Records]] from the start.”
    • Lead, paragraph 2: “The band was started with [[James Durbin (singer)|James Durbin]] from [[Quiet Riot]] on vocals”
    • Discography: “''Coming Home'' (2022)”
    • Discography: “''We Are the Fire'' (2024)”
  14. Cleanbreak Feat. James Durbin And Mike Flyntz: Second Album Announced — Blabbermouth.net, published August 27, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Paragraph 1: “on October 11 via Frontiers Music Srl”
    • Recording lineup list: “James Durbin - vocals”
  15. Stryper, Ex-Quiet Riot And Riot Members Join Forces In Cleanbreak — Blabbermouth.net, published March 19, 2022. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Paragraph 1: “has joined forces with STRYPER members Robert Sweet and Perry Richardson”
  16. Ex-Quiet Riot Singer James Durbin Taps Chris Jericho, Phil Demmel For 'Kings Before You' Single; 'The Beast Awakens' Album Announced — Blabbermouth.net, published November 19, 2020. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Album details paragraph: “With Durbin handling the album's rhythm guitars, his core lineup was complete.”
    • Paragraph 1: “Coming February 12, 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl”
    • Album details paragraph: “he brought in the rhythm section of virtuoso drummer Mike Vanderhule (Y&T) and master bassist Barry Sparks”
  17. Quiet Riot Parts Ways With Singer James Durbin, Welcomes Back Jizzy Pearl — Blabbermouth.net, published September 8, 2019. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Paragraphs 1-2: “QUIET RIOT has parted ways with singer James Durbin and has replaced him with Jizzy Pearl.”
    • Paragraph 2: “the March 2017 arrival of "American Idol" finalist Durbin”
    • Paragraph 1: “QUIET RIOT has parted ways with singer James Durbin and has replaced him with Jizzy Pearl.”
  18. Quiet Riot To Re-Record 'Road Rage' Album With New Singer James Durbin — Blabbermouth.net, published March 10, 2017. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Paragraph 1: “new lead singer James Durbin should be the vocalist on 'Road Rage'”
    • Paragraph 2: “have James replace all the vocals on 'Road Rage' with new lyrics and melodies for a summer 2017 release”
  19. American Idols Live! Tour 2011 (Wikipedia revision 1375445529) — Wikipedia, updated September 17, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Infobox start_date and end_date; Performers table: “start_date = July 6, 2011”
    • Performers table: [[James Durbin (singer)|James Durbin]] (4th place)
  20. Memories of a Beautiful Disaster (Wikipedia revision 1291936273) — Wikipedia, updated May 24, 2025. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4)
    • Lead and Recording: “released on November 21, 2011 through [[Wind-up Records]]”
    • Chart performance: “The album debuted on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart at number 36 with first-week sales of 28,000.”
    • Infobox released and label: “released = November 21, 2011”
    • Chart performance: “The album has sold 123,000 copies in the US as of January 2017.”
  21. Celebrate (James Durbin album) (Wikipedia revision 1356161775) — Wikipedia, updated May 26, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Lead: “The album was released on April 8, 2014.”
    • Chart performance: “The album debuted on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] at No. 83.”
    • Infobox genre and label: “genre = [[Pop rock]]”
  22. 'American Idol' Finalist James Durbin's Collaboration With Quiet Riot Guitarist Alex Grossi: 'Roads' Lyric Video — Blabbermouth.net, published February 2, 2017. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Headline and date line: “'Roads' Lyric Video February 2, 2017”
    • Paragraph 1: “recently announced a collaboration titled "Maps To The Hollywood Scars" . The first five-song EP will be released worldwide via New Ocean Media on February 17.”
    • Paragraph 3: “went on to sell over 123,000 copies in the U.S. alone”
  23. Q&A: Santa Cruz's James Durbin on Moving to Nashville, New Album — Good Times (Santa Cruz), published October 16, 2018. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Introduction: “wrote all of the songs except for the final track, a cover of “House of the Rising Sun.””
    • Introduction: “laid down most of the instrumentation and all of the singing”
    • Introduction: “mostly acoustic Homeland, which comes out Friday, Oct. 19”
  24. Quiet Riot (Wikipedia revision 1378858640) — Wikipedia, updated October 6, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • 2010s section: “Two months later, Quiet Riot's fourteenth studio album, and second and last to feature Durbin, ''[[Hollywood Cowboys]]'', was released.”
  25. From the New World (album) (Wikipedia revision 1377299311) — Wikipedia, updated September 28, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Track listing, track 5: “extra5=James Durbin”
    • Lead: “It was released on 15 July 2022 via [[Frontiers Records|Frontiers Music Srl]].”
    • Infobox, singles (single3 = Give 'Em My Love): “single3date = July 2022”
  26. 'American Idol' Season 10: Where Are They Now? — Billboard, published January 19, 2012. News report. Cited by another source; not opened by our researchers.
  27. List of American Idol alumni album sales in the United States — Wikipedia, updated September 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Artists with sales of less than 500,000 albums, row 30 James Durbin: “''[[Memories of a Beautiful Disaster]]'' (2011) #36 — 123,000”

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