Great White lead singer Jack Russell maintains the band was given permission to set off pyrotechnics at a Rhode Island nightclub.

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AUDIO: Listen To Radio Interview
TRANSCRIPT: Jack Russell Radio Interview

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Russell was interviewed Thursday by Michael Rock, the program director of radio station WKKB in New Bedford, Mass.

The Station nightclub in West Warwick burned down one year ago, killing 100 people. Investigators said sparks from a pyrotechnics display ignited foam placed around the stage as soundproofing.

The club's owners, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, said they never gave permission for the use of fireworks. But Russell claims the Derderians lied to protect themselves.

"Why would you go somewhere and do something that's going to piss somebody off so they're not going to let you play there next year. That's just bad business, and you would never do that. We're a professional band, and if somebody says no, OK, let's not," Russell said. "I understand why they denied it, you know what I mean. I could see them trying to cover their ass. But, I mean, something this big you got to stand up and take your lumps, you know?"

Russell said the seriousness of the fire wasn't immediately apparent.

"I'm sitting there trying to throw water on it from my water bottle. And then I was actually walking over to move (guitarist Mark Kendall's) amp out from away from the wall because I was waiting for someone to come up with a fire extinguisher," Russell said. "We had no idea the extreme it was going to go."

Rock said his interview with Russell was a nationwide exclusive. The radio station said the singer turned down Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer for an interview.