Skid Row
Formed: 1986
From:
New Jersey,
NJ,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Background
Skid Row is made of up five talented young men from New Jersey all the way to Canada. Vocalist Sebastian Bach, guitarists Scotti Hill and Dave "Snake" Sabo, bassist Rachel Bolan, and drummer Rob Affuso created incredible music that could never be surpassed. "We stand and we won't fall, we're one and one for all, the writing's on the wall, we are the youth gone wild" sums up what Skid Row is about. Just being yourself, having fun, and saying "f*** you" to anyone who thinks otherwise. Skid Row made their mark on the music business in the late '80s and early '90s, and they all lived to talk about it. This is the story of Skid Row...
Skid Row was first formed in New Jersey in 1986 when guitarist Dave Sabo was working at a local guitar store and met bassist Rachel Bolan.They started talking and combining their ideas for songs and clicked like THAT. Bolan had known guitarist Scotti Hill from a previous band they were in. And Sabo had done the same with drummer Rob Affuso. So, all four of them got together, but, there was only a slight problem, they didn't have a lead singer...
After auditioning hundreds of singers and having no luck what-so-ever, ( except for Matt Fallon, Skid Row's first lead singer who "sounded too much like Jon Bon Jovi" and was later fired ) they had heard about a Canadian named Sebastian Bach who had recently sung at a music producer's wedding. So, the four guys sent Sebastian a demo tape. Sebastian remembers saying, " I hoped it wouldn't be good ( the demo tape.) And then when I played it, I said, 'Dammit to hell, this is good!'" So, they flew Sebastian all the way from Canada to NJ, and the guys knew right away it was meant to be. Sebastian was just perfect for this band in every way. The 6-foot 3 wildman demostrated everything Skid Row was about.
In 1989, Skid Row released their self-titled debut album. It was a HUGE success, and they were one of the biggest heavy rock bands of the time. Their biggest hit, "18 and Life," was the most requested song on MTV for many weeks on end. Teenagers just loved them for their bad attitude, rebellion, and especially for their hit "Youth Gone Wild," which was pretty much the national anthem of that year.
Now, before Skid Row ever made a second album, they were already off to Japan, Russia, and the U.S. on a worldwide tour. In late 1991, they released their second album, "Slave To The Grind," which amazingly debuted at #1.It was released in two different versions: The original one had a "rowdy song with the title containing a four lettered word," and on the other version, the song was removed and replaced with another song. Slave to the Grind was a major success and sent Skid Row on another worldwide tour with bands like Guns N' Roses and Pantera.
So, by 1992, Skid Row had already been to the Pacific Rim, Brazil, Japan again, and all over the U.S. They didn't really have any ideas for songs, so they released "B-Side Ourselves," a compilation of cover songs by Kiss, The Ramones, Judas Priest, Jimi Hendrix, and Rush. "B-Side Ourselves" was mainly released because the fans were having a very hard time trying to get a hold of these b-sides, so Skid Row released it as an album.
Skid Row seemed to fade away after that, with the new introduction to alternative and rap music. It wasn't until three years later in 1995 that Skid Row released their 4th and final album, "Subhuman Race." There were some hit songs on "Subhuman," but Skid Row's videos were rarely seen on MTV anymore. After doing another worldwide tour, Skid Row broke up in early 1997 after turning down a show with Kiss, their biggest role models when they were young.
Skid Row never did break up COMPLETELY, they just kicked out Sebastian. The other 4 guys hired a new lead singer, Shawn McCabe, and formed Ozone Monday. Ozone Monday never saw an album release, and since then Shawn McCabe is out of the band ( as well as Rob Affuso ). The supposed new "Skid Row" is back, with John Solinger from the Texas band Solinger as front-man and Charlie Mills on the drums. Nothing is known about a new album yet...
Latest Skid Row News
Below is our complete Skid Row news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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Falling In Reverse Premiere New Single & Video
Falling In Reverse‘s premiere their new single and music video named “Watch The World Burn“. In 2022 frontman Radke and ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach went to war on social media over using backing tracks, after the band cancelled a live show due to not having their laptops. Now in a short scene you can see a run-down Bach Lookalike being hit in the face by a laptop...
Check out now "Watch The World Burn" streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you below.
Falling In Reverse will be out co-headlining the ‘Rockzilla Tour‘ with Papa Roach kicking off today, February 01st. Hollywood Undead and Escape The Fate will join them as support acts on the below booked dates. More...
Skid Row Posts New Music Video Online
Skid Row have released a music video for their latest single "The Gang’s All Here," taken from the anticipated new studio album "The Gang’s All Here," available October 14, 2022. You can check it out below.
“By the fans for the fans!” is the mantra for this video as the band has called upon their loyal and dedicated fanbase to help create the video by submitting live-video footage and photos from Skid Row’s recent 2022 concerts, as well as behind-the-scenes rehearsal moments.
The video is a testament to the power Skid Row have on and offstage, as well as the chemistry within the band and with their fans.
“‘The Gang's All Here’ for me represents the brotherhood of this band. And with the addition on Erik our bond is more solid than ever. Our fans have always been part of the family, so when it was time to shoot a video, we handed the camera work over to them. After all, they have the best perspective to capture the excitement of a Skid Row show.” - Scotti Hill
“I’m so f’ing psyched to finally release this video! This video is by the fans for the fans. A big shout out to all the fans who made this video happen. Thank you!” - Erik Grönwall More...
Skid Row Announces UK Tour Dates
Reclaiming their title as the kings of hard rock, Skid Row today announce an almighty European and UK tour, following the news of their hotly anticipated, new studio album, "The Gang’s All Here," out 14 October 2022 with earMUSIC.
It’s a new era for Skid Row, with a new album, the recent debut of their brand-new single, the title track, "The Gang’s All Here" and a new powerhouse vocalist, singer Erik Grönwall, formerly of H.E.A.T, one of the best frontmen of this or any hard rock era, joining the family.
Skid Row will hit the UK hard this autumn with dates at O2 Academy venues in Glasgow, Sheffield, and Bristol, plus London’s prestigious O2 Forum Kentish Town, with special guests Winger, Phil X & The Drills and Collateral along for the ride.
The tour dates are as follows: More...
Skid Row Reveals New Album Details
Skid Row and earMUSIC join forces to announce the release of the new studio album, "The Gang’s All Here," on October 14. This announcement coincides with the launch of the iconic hard rock band’s Las Vegas Residency (as the Scorpions’ special guests) this Saturday, as well as the debut of their brand-new single, the title track "The Gang’s All Here." Watch a visualizer for the single below.
"The Gang’s All Here" is an oath of triumph, exploding with powerful energy that makes us hunger for more. It is the logical next-generation leap of the band’s trademark sound that stomps out new ground – with singer Erik Grönwall (formerly of H.E.A.T, one of the best frontmen of this or any hard rock era) joining the family.
Produced by Grammy Award Winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Evanescence) and long-time fan, Skid Row are ablaze. They are re-energized, kicking their sound way up to modern Hard Rock Royalty.
"We are beyond excited to release this record. It has been a long time in the making and a lot of hard work has been put into it by the band and our producer Nick Raskulinecz. And the addition of Erik has lifted the songs to new heights. Add all this to the fact that we start our world tour in Las Vegas with the Scorpions residency this Saturday at Zappos Theater makes it easy to say that Skid Row is going to have a great year." - Rachel Bolan and Snake Sabo
Tracklisting:
1. Hell Or High Water
2. The Gang's All Here
3. Not Dead Yet
4. Time Bomb
5. Resurrected
6. Nowhere Fast
7. When The Lights Come On
8. Tear It Down
9. October's Song
10. World's On Fire More...
Skid Row Parts Ways With Ex Dragonforce Singer
Skid Row has parted ways with singer ZP Theart and has announced new frontman Erik Grönwall (ex-H.E.A.T.). Grönwall will sing on Skid Row’s new album, "The Gang’s All Here," due out on October 14 on earMUSIC. First single and title track will be out March 25.
A snippet of "The Gang's All Here", which received its world premiere earlier on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", can be heard below.
The band says in a statement: "It's a new era for Skid Row. With a new album, a new single and a world tour, we've added a new voice. Welcome powerhouse vocalist Erik Grönwall, formerly from the band H.E.A.T. from Sweden."
Grönwall says: "Ladies and gents. I hereby declare the circle of all fucking circles complete. You’re looking at the new singer of Skid Row." More...
Headline News
Former Skid Row Vocalist Passes Away
Johnny Solinger, the vocalist best known for his tenure with Skid Row from 1999 to 2015, has tragically passed away at the age of fifty four, a month after revealing that he was suffering from liver failure. Solinger began his career with his eponymous band, before replacing Sebastian Bach in Skid Row, for whom he would become their longest serving singer. He recorded two full length albums with the band, "Thickskin" (2003) and "Revolutions Per Minute" (2006) as well as two EPs, "United World Rebellion: Chapter One" and "Rise of the Damnation Army – United World Rebellion: Chapter Two." Solinger would release his first solo album in 2008, before being fired by Skid Row in 2015 and replaced by TNT singer Tony Harnell, who himself would leave the band at the end of the year.
Headline News
Former Skid Row Vocalist Hospitalized
Johnny Solinger, best known as the vocalist for Skid Row from 1999-2015, has revealed via his Facebook page that he has been dealing with some serious health issues of late, after being diagnosed with liver failure. A statement from the singer reads as follows:
"It is with a heavy heart I must let everyone know what’s going on with me and my health. I have been hospitalized for over the last month. I have been diagnosed with liver failure. And prognosis is not so good. As with most musicians I do not have health insurance and it’s very difficult to get proper care without it.
"I am currently under at least seven different medications and I need to have my abdomen drained off fluid that gets accumulated every couple of days. I have lost a lot of strength and will require physical therapy as well.
"At the moment, I am looking into putting together some sort of fundraiser to help with the medical bills and with the palliative care I will need in the coming months. I am kindly asking those of you who could help put this together to step forward. I would not be asking you all this if I didn’t really need the help, but sadly this is where I’m at.
"I appreciate and want you all to keep me in your thoughts and send me all the healing vibes you can, but I get exhausted easily so I will ask you to please not call or text unless absolutely necessary. But please, if you can help in this difficult time, I will wholeheartedly appreciate it.
"Love you all. I will post a link where you can donate very soon but I wanted to update you on my condition."
Skid Row Signs With EarMUSIC
earMUSIC announces the latest worldwide signing - iconic US hard rock band Skid Row, which marks another outstanding artist addition to the label's roster.
The band just started work on its new studio album with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who comes with an impressive track record from his work with bands such as Foo Fighters, Rush, Halestorm, Evanescence, Velvet Revolver, and Alice In Chains.
The band sends the following comment straight from the studio: "We are extremely excited to have signed with earMUSIC. Not only do we have an incredible team to work with, but we are labelmates with iconic artists like Deep Purple and Alice Cooper. To say we are psyched is an understatement."
In the last five years, the band entered a new exciting phase by finding the perfect match with lead singer ZP Theart (ex-DragonForce, Tank), who already showed his skills and perfect range on the band's tours in 2016 through 2019 all over the world. The band will prove the magic of their chemistry on the new album coming in 2022. More...
Former Skid Row Drummer Announces Retirement
Phil Varone, best known for his time performing drums for Skid Row, as well as being the current drummer for supergroup Red Dragon Cartel, has confirmed that he plans to retire from drumming following the current Red Dragon Cartel tour. A statement from Varone reads as follows:
"No Drums No More... Although I’ve given interviews announcing my retirement from drumming, it seems people think I’m kidding... So this is an official post... This is my farewell to drumming tour. There is no big story other than I no longer have a passion for drumming. As I get older in life, drums have fallen to the bottom of my list. As I get older in life, drums hurt instead of making me happy... When you’re not happy or lose the passion in anything you do, it’s time to gracefully bow out. After 30 years I’m gracefully bowing out. I just recorded the greatest record of my career with Jake E Lee and Red Dragon Cartel, and I’m playing with the greatest players of my career. I leave in a good, grateful place. I have the best fans in the world, and I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love, for the support and for being apart of my musical career... I hope you follow me to the next chapter of my life, when the time comes... until then, thank you for 30 years a drummer."
Korn’s Jonathan Davis Featured On "American Satan"
Korn frontman Jonathan Davis will unleash a new single later this month titled “What It Is“ as part of the ‘American Satan‘ soundtrack, out January 26th via Sumerian Records. Davis is preparing a new solo effort which is expected to be out this spring on Sumerian as well. The ‘American Satan‘ soundtrack will run as follows: More...
Vocalist Tony Harnell Parts Ways With Skid Row
Singer Tony Harnell has confirmed that he has left Skid Row, less than a year after he first joined the band. Writes Harnell in a Facebook post on Tuesday (December 29):
I'm sorry to inform everyone that I'm no longer the lead singer for Skid Row. I thank the fans for their love and support! XO TH
Posted by Tony Harnell on Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Harnell officially joined Skid Row in April as the replacement for Johnny Solinger, who was the band's frontman for the past fifteen years.
Video Highlights Of Lemmy's 70th-Bday Party Posted
Pro shot video highlights - directed and produced by Robert John and Greg Olliver - of Motörhead frontman Lemmy's 70th birthday party can be seen below. The event was held on December 13 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, CA.
Among others following musicians performed at the event:
Slash (Guns N' Roses)
Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses)
Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses)
Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses)
Robert Trujillo (Metallica)
Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
Scott Ian (Anthrax)
Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)
Steve Vai
Billy Duffy (The Cult)
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe)
Bob Kulick (Meat Loaf, Alice Cooper)
Billy Idol
Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne)
Paul Inder (Lemmy's son)
Check out also a 360 Video of the event after the jump: More...
Halcyon Way Announces Tour With Saxon
Atlanta, Georgia prog metal crew Halcyon Way has been confirmed for a lengthy tour with Saxon and Skid Row across Europe in October - November of 2014.
This tour announcement is hot on the heels of the North American release of the band's 4th album, "Conquer" (reviewed here), which hit the Billboard Heatseekers Chart at #41 the week of release. "Conquer" will be released on September 19th in Europe via Massacre Records.
"Last year when we were out with Saxon in US/Canada, we had an amazing time and the Saxon guys were great to us. We had conversations with Biff and the guys about doing it again, and here we are! We're very excited to be hitting the road in Europe again, and to be hanging out with our friends in Saxon (Official)? and new friends in Skid Row?," said vocalist Steve Braun. More...
Skid Row Posts Lyric Video, Writing New EP
Hard rock legends Skid Row - previously covered in our Sunday Old School column and frequently appearing in the Rockstar Ramblings - are currently writing their upcoming second EP in the "United World Rebellion" series, entitled "United World Rebellion - Chapter Two."
In the meantime, the band is releasing a brand new lyric video for the track "This Is Killing Me," cut from "United World Rebellion - Chapter One," which is in stores now. Check out the lyric video below.
The release of "United World Rebellion - Chapter One" in April marked the band’s first new music unleashed in seven years. Catch the band live:
8/9 - Des Moines, IA @ Iowa State Fair Budweiser Stage
8/10 - Uncasville, CT @ Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun
8/15 - Lynchburg, VA @ Phase 2
8/16 - Morristown, TN @ Cherokee Park Amphitheater
8/17 - Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
8/18 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ The Boathouse
8/22 – Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont County Club
8/23 - Chandler, AZ @ Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
8/24 - Sheridan, WY @ Trails End Concert Park
9/6 - Akron, NY @ Braun’s Concert Grove
9/13 - Denver, CO @ Casselmans
9/14 - Hinckley, MN @ Grand Casino Amphitheater/Grand RockTember Music Festival
Skid Row will also be on tour in Europe/UK this October and November with Ugly Kid Joe. More...
Column
The Rockstar Ramblings: An Off-Road Affair
This week rock and roll representatives from the suburbs of Philadelphia, state of Ohio, and Portugal bring us videos. Also, a special bonus video from one of Canada's finest for our viewing pleasure. More...
Column
The Rockstar Ramblings: Snakes in Paradise
As the holidays approach a look at some packaged DVD/CD sets, new releases on the horizon, and yes, one hard-to-buy-for Christmas recommendation. More...
Column
The Rockstar Ramblings: BBQ, Needles, and Vans
Fresh off their “occupy Hard Rock” stint in Vegas, Motley Crue is back in the studio recording a new song. Vegas odds that the words “Hard Rock” are included are 2 to 1. Odds that Nikki Sixx and company will rhyme “cock” with “Hard Rock” is even money… More...
Column
The Rockstar Ramblings: The Trifecta
I found it entertaining that one of the reasons Chickenfoot named their second album “III” was to pass by the sophomore slump album and go right to their third. Three great albums in a row is no small feat. This week I (one opinion) take a look at some bands that have successfully accomplished the feat of: The Trifecta! More...
Sebastian Bach's House Devastated By Hurricane
Former Skid Row vocalist and solo artist Sebastian Bach has revealed that his house in the state of New Jersey, which he has lived in for twenty one years, has suffered massive damage as a result of the tropical storm Irene, which has been sweeping across the East Coast of America and left at least twenty people dead. A message from Bach posted on his Facebook page reads:
"I am numb, in shock, and devastated to report that my home of 21 years, my house featured on MTV Cribs, has been destroyed, condemned, and deemed uninhabitable due to the extreme flooding courtesy of Hurricane Irene. In the two decades I have lived in this home, there has never been a single drop of water in the basement or anywhere else in the structure. Now Irene has overflowed the reservoir adjacent...
"Somewhere under this water is a KISS pinball machine and two gargoyles from the Dynasty tour. If you see them floating past your house, they're mine. Or at least they were :("
Column
The Rockstar Ramblings: The Bach is Back
Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row) is back with a new single and video titled “Kicking and Screaming”. This is the first single from his new album (by the same name) due this fall. Given Bach’s history of entertaining videos (“18 and Life” anyone?) this was definitely worth a look. More...