Skid Row (American band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey, United States |
| Founder | Rachel Bolan, Dave Sabo |
| Headquarters | Toms River , United States |
| Products | Heavy metal music, albums, EPs |
Skid Row is a heavy metal group from the United States, established in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. The current members are bassist Rachel Bolan, guitarists Dave Sabo and Scotti Hill, along with drummer Rob Hammersmith. The band experienced major commercial achievements during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their first two albums, Skid Row (1989) and Slave to the Grind (1991), both earning multi-platinum certifications; notably, Slave to the Grind topped the Billboard 200 chart. These records featured prominent singles such as "18 and Life" and "I Remember You", which both entered the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, along with other charting tracks like "Youth Gone Wild" and "Monkey Business".
Their third studio effort, Subhuman Race (1995), was met with positive critical reception but did not achieve the same level of commercial success as its predecessors. By 1996, the "classic" lineup—consisting of Bolan, Sabo, Hill, drummer Rob Affuso, and lead singer Sebastian Bach—had sold approximately 20 million albums worldwide. After internal conflicts arose, Bach was dismissed and Affuso also left, prompting a break that lasted three years.
In 1999, Skid Row reassembled with a new frontman, Johnny Solinger, and a succession of drummers eventually leading to Rob Hammersmith joining. This era produced two studio albums: Thickskin (2003) and Revolutions per Minute (2006), along with EPs titled United World Rebellion: Chapter One and Rise of the Damnation Army – United World Rebellion: Chapter Two released between 2013 and 2014. These works received varied critical responses. After Solinger's departure in 2015, Skid Row briefly enlisted former TNT vocalist Tony Harnell, who exited within eight months. In January 2017, former DragonForce singer ZP Theart took over lead vocals until March 2022.
Erik Grönwall succeeded Theart in 2022, marking his debut on Skid Row’s first studio album in sixteen years, The Gang's All Here. Grönwall left the band in March 2024 due to health issues related to leukemia treatment; subsequently, Lzzy Hale from Halestorm served as a temporary live performance substitute before her own departure.
Formation and Early Period (1986–1988)
Skid Row originated in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey, founded by bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave Sabo. They completed their lineup by recruiting guitarist Scotti Hill and drummer Rob Affuso through classified ads. Lead vocalist Sebastian Bach replaced the initial singer Matt Fallon after being discovered at rock photographer Mark Weiss' wedding in early 1987. Bolan later disclosed that future Mötley Crüe frontman John Corabi had auditioned prior to Bach’s inclusion. The band began performing extensively in clubs throughout the eastern United States.
Sabo, who had briefly been a member of Bon Jovi, maintained a friendship with Jon Bon Jovi, who promised assistance contingent on their success. Bon Jovi’s manager Doc McGhee facilitated Skid Row’s signing with Atlantic Records in 1988. Their debut album Skid Row was recorded at Royal Recorders in Wisconsin under producer Michael Wagener. Before releasing the album, management paid $35,000 to guitarist Gary Moore for the rights to use the name from his original group known as Skid Row.
Skid Row and Slave to the Grind (1989–1992)
In January 1989, Skid Row launched their first album, Skid Row, which rapidly gained commercial acclaim, eventually earning a 5× platinum certification. The album's success was propelled by three singles: "Youth Gone Wild", "18 and Life", and "I Remember You", with the latter two singles breaking into the Top 10 charts. To promote the record, Skid Row toured as the opening act for Bon Jovi during their New Jersey tour, which included their debut UK performance at Milton Keynes Bowl in August 1989, followed by a club gig at London's Marquee Club. Additionally, the group took part in the Moscow Music Peace Festival, an event organized by their manager McGhee aimed at raising anti-drug awareness amidst his own legal difficulties.
Towards the end of 1989, Skid Row supported Mötley Crüe on their Dr. Feelgood world tour across Europe and subsequently headlined a UK tour that concluded with a show at London's Hammersmith Odeon, featuring Vain as the supporting act. Their touring continued into 1990 as they opened for Aerosmith during the North American leg of the Pump tour.
During this timeframe, frontman Sebastian Bach became involved in several controversies. One notable incident, known as "The Bottle Incident," occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts, where Bach was hit by a bottle during a performance and responded by confronting an audience member. He also faced criticism for wearing a T-shirt bearing an anti-gay slogan; Bach later expressed regret over this choice, explaining he had not read the message carefully before putting it on. The band also contributed a rendition of the Sex Pistols' "Holidays in the Sun" to the charity compilation Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell, connected to the Moscow Music Peace Festival.
In 1990, Skid Row reunited with producer Michael Wagener to record their sophomore album, Slave to the Grind, which was released in June 1991. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart and achieved double platinum status despite not generating mainstream radio hits. This release showcased a heavier musical direction compared to their initial work. To support Slave to the Grind, Skid Row embarked on an extensive international tour that included dates alongside Guns N' Roses in 1991 and appearances at major festivals such as Monsters of Rock in 1992. Opening acts on this tour featured Pantera, Soundgarden, L.A. Guns, and Love/Hate. Interestingly, Skid Row invited then-up-and-coming grunge band Nirvana to open for them; however, Nirvana declined due to concerns related to perceived homophobic associations stemming from Bach’s earlier T-shirt controversy.
September 1992 saw the release of Skid Row’s cover EP titled B-Side Ourselves. This collection combined covers of influential artists with B-sides from singles off Slave to the Grind, including an unreleased version of Jimi Hendrix’s "Little Wing". Although it reached only number 58 on the Billboard 200—marking Skid Row's lowest chart position—it was certified gold by the RIAA within six months.
'Subhuman Race' (1993–1998)
Following the conclusion of the Slave to the Grind tour in February 1993, Skid Row took a prolonged break based on McGhee's recommendation to wait out the grunge trend. During this interval, they parted ways with producer Wagener as their musical style began evolving. In 1994, the band entered the studio with producer Bob Rock to work on their third album, Subhuman Race. The recording process was marked by escalating friction between the members and Rock, which foreshadowed growing tensions with Bach. Released in March 1995, the album reached the US top 40 and was promoted through singles like "My Enemy," "Breakin' Down", and "Into Another", the latter being their final single to chart in the US. Although it did not achieve the commercial success of earlier releases, it garnered mixed to favorable critiques and is often regarded as their darkest album. By 2019, most tracks from Subhuman Race were seldom performed live, except for "Beat Yourself Blind," which remained part of setlists with later vocalists Johnny Solinger and ZP Theart.
After this period, Skid Row transitioned to playing smaller venues and experienced diminished MTV presence amid grunge’s dominance and heavy metal’s downturn. They supported Van Halen during the North American leg of the Balance tour. In late 1996, Bach was dismissed following a disagreement with Bolan over declining an opening spot on the Kiss reunion tour. Bach had independently booked the performance, but other members believed Skid Row was too prominent to serve as an opening act. This dispute ended their professional collaboration.
In a 2020 interview, Dangerous Toys frontman Jason McMaster disclosed that Sabo and Bolan had invited him to audition as Bach’s replacement; however, he declined to concentrate on his own band. Bolan also pursued a side project in punk music.
Contrary to earlier refusals, Skid Row eventually opened for Kiss during their 2000 Kiss Farewell Tour. In 1998, they released 40 Seasons: The Best of Skid Row, a compilation album produced without Bach’s participation. Following Bach’s exit, the remaining members continued under the name Ozone Monday with vocalist Shawn McCabe, opening for Kiss and Mötley Crüe in 1998 and 1999 using that moniker.
'Thickskin' and 'Revolutions per Minute' (1999–2008)
In 1999, Skid Row reunited featuring new lead singer Johnny Solinger and drummer Phil Varone, previously of Saigon Kick. After reassembling, they joined Kiss on their farewell tour and shared stages with other 1980s metal bands such as Poison and INXS bassist Garry Gary Beers. By 2002, they participated in the Rock Never Stops Tour.
Their fourth studio release, Thickskin (2003), marked their first album in eight years and introduced Solinger and Varone—the latter appearing only on this record. In 2004, Dave Gara took over drumming duties from Varone.
The fifth album, Revolutions per Minute, arrived in October 2006 via SPV Records. This was both Solinger’s and Gara’s second and final effort with the group. Producer Michael Wagener rejoined for this production. In 2007, Skid Row contributed a rendition of "Jingle Bells" to a Monster Ballads Christmas compilation.
In January 2008, they performed on the Motley Cruise alongside Mötley Crüe, Ratt, and Slaughter. Early in 2010, Rob Hammersmith was introduced as the band’s new drummer.
United World Rebellion (2009–2016)
In 2009, Hill mentioned the group was working on fresh material, despite the challenge of members residing in separate cities, which made collaboration more difficult.
By February 2013, Skid Row had inked a deal with Megaforce Records and intended to release new music as a trilogy of EPs. The initial installment, United World Rebellion: Chapter One, was issued in April 2013, with two additional EPs planned for release within the following 12 to 18 months.
Work on the second EP commenced by February 2014. In August that year, the band unveiled Rise of the Damnation Army, marking the second segment of the trilogy. Early in 2015, Skid Row was engaged in composing the third chapter.
April 2015 saw the departure of lead singer Johnny Solinger, who was promptly succeeded by Tony Harnell, previously fronting the Norwegian power metal outfit TNT. That same month, the band released a newly recorded version of their classic track "18 and Life" as a complimentary download.
The Gang's All Here and upcoming seventh studio album (2016–present)
Tony Harnell exited Skid Row in December 2015, with former DragonForce vocalist ZP Theart stepping in for live performances throughout 2016. In January 2017, Theart was officially inducted as a permanent member. By March 2018, the band announced plans for their next installment in the United World Rebellion series to be a full-length album slated for release in 2019; however, this project did not come to fruition.
A deluxe digital reissue of Skid Row's self-titled debut album was released in January 2019, featuring remastered audio for the first time alongside an additional track and a live recording from 1989. Band members disclosed that they had no involvement in this re-release.
During summer 2019, former frontman Sebastian Bach intended to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the debut album by performing it on tour and invited Skid Row to join him on stage for a potential reunion. Guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo declined the invitation, while ex-drummer Rob Affuso confirmed his participation.
On June 26, 2021, former vocalist Johnny Solinger passed away after publicly revealing his battle with liver failure.
In February 2022, Sabo announced that Skid Row’s sixth studio album was set for release on September 16, with a lead single scheduled for March. On March 23, the band parted ways with Theart; Erik Grönwall was introduced as their new lead singer. The single "The Gang's All Here" debuted online shortly thereafter. The album The Gang's All Here was officially released on October 14.
By March 2023, Sabo revealed that Skid Row had started crafting songs for their seventh studio record, having already developed four potential tracks.
In May 2023, complications arose during Skid Row’s Australian tour: the May 17 Brisbane performance was canceled just minutes before doors opened due to Grönwall falling ill. They managed to complete the Sydney show on May 19 but subsequently postponed remaining dates as Grönwall’s health deteriorated.
Following completion of rescheduled concerts concluding in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on March 27, 2024, the band announced Grönwall’s departure owing to ongoing health problems. Several upcoming shows featured Lzzy Hale as guest vocalist; she performed at four U.S. appearances but declined an offer to become a permanent member.
Band members
Current lineup
- Dave "The Snake" Sabo – guitar, backing vocals (1986–1996, 1999–present)
- Rachel Bolan – bass guitar, backing vocals (1986–1996, 1999–present)
- Scotti Hill – guitar, backing vocals (1987–1996, 1999–present)
- Rob Hammersmith – drums, backing vocals (2010–present)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Work nominated | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Skid Row | Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist | Template:Won |
| 1990 | Skid Row | Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album | Template:Nom |
Discography
- Studio releases
- Skid Row (1989)
- Slave to the Grind (1991)
- Subhuman Race (1995)
- Thickskin (2003)
- Revolutions per Minute (2006)
- The Gang's All Here (2022)