Former SKID ROW singer SEBASTIAN BACH says band owes it to the fans to reunite
Speaking with Metal Hammer magazine, Sebastian Bach revisited the longstanding issue of his absence from performing alongside the other original members of the classic SKID ROW lineup for almost three decades. He said: “For me, doing three albums with SKID ROW, I was just getting started. I didn’t think it would be over and done with so quick.”
When asked if he can see SKID ROW‘s classic lineup ever agreeing to a reunion, Sebastian replied: “I can definitely see that happening considering they play the same songs I play. When I get a substantial royalty check for an album I did with musicians that I haven’t been in the same room with since 1996, I feel like a piece of shit. Because we should be giving something back to the fans that have made this great life possible.”
Earlier this week, Erik Grönwall, SKID ROW‘s fourth frontman since Sebastian Bach, announced his departure from the band to prioritize his health. Grönwall, a former contestant on “Swedish Idol,” revealed that he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021, rendering him immunocompromised. This health condition presented challenges for touring, leading to his decision to step away from the band.
Sebastian Bach served as the frontman of SKID ROW until 1996 when he was fired from the band. Following Bach‘s departure, the remaining members took a hiatus and formed a brief project called OZONE MONDAY. In 1999, SKID ROW reunited, and after some lineup changes over the years, the band consisted of bassist Rachel Bolan, guitarists Dave “Snake” Sabo and Scotti Hill, drummer Rob Hammersmith, and singer Johnny Solinger.
Solinger was dismissed from SKID ROW over the phone in April 2015, just hours before the band announced Tony Harnell, the former vocalist of TNT, as his replacement. However, Harnell‘s tenure was short-lived, as he left the band eight months later. He was succeeded by ZP Theart, a South African-born, British-based singer known for his work with bands like DRAGONFORCE, TANK, and I AM I. Theart‘s time with SKID ROW ended in February 2022 when he was let go from the band. Erik Grönwall, previously a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T., then stepped in as his replacement.
Sabo made an appearance on the March 2022 episode of the Loaded Radio Podcast and was asked by Scott Penfold how he feels about people still calling for a reunion with Bach. He said: “Well, it’s been 23 years [since SKID ROW reformed], so to say that I’m over it would be an understatement. We attempted [a reunion] slightly [back in 2016]. We dipped our toes in the water and realized that it didn’t feel so good. It’s just one of those things where we still could not see eye to eye; we couldn’t even get past the point of simple texting.
“I am really, really happy where we are,” Snake continued. “I’m very proud of our past, and all due credit to everybody who’s been involved in every aspect of our career, whoever that may be, ’cause it all led to where we are now.
“I’ve been asked a thousand times: ‘What about the payday [of a reunion with Sebastian]?’ And that’s all well and good, but if that’s why I did this — if that’s why we did this; I can speak for everybody — we probably wouldn’t be doing it,” Sabo explained. “I wanna be happy, and I am very, very happy. And so are the guys; everybody’s really happy.
“The music climate is what it is, and we’re a classic rock band, and I’m proud of that. And we’re still able to make music. I mean, Jeez — I live a very, very blessed life, man,” Snake added. “I have nothing but gratitude and humility for what we have achieved and for what we’re able to continue to do.
“So while there may be people out there who are flashing dollar signs with a lot of zeroes, I still have to be happy doing it, and I am. And that’s what’s most important. I need to be happy being in a band with the people I’m in a band with. A lot of other bands can go out and they don’t see each other till they’re on stage and travel on separate buses and all that stuff, and that’s all well and good, but I don’t wanna live my life like that.
“I don’t wanna be up onstage and kind of living a lie; it just doesn’t feel good. So, while I’m thankful for people’s interest and whatnot, I’m even more thankful that we still get to play music for a living under our terms.”
In 2021, Sebastian Bach embarked on a U.S. tour where he commemorated the 30th anniversary of SKID ROW‘s second album, “Slave To The Grind“.
Image credit: Jim Loveau
