Rachel Bolan responds to Tracii Guns about Skid Row Reunion

[MOON]

It boggles the mind, that people don't "get it" when it comes to Skid Row and Sebastian Bach.

The guys in the band have all went on record to say, they don't want to do it, and talk about being happy, and content with their life/band.

When Bach was in the group, there was plenty of drama, or whatever, to cause them to fire him and stay away since. And just maybe... in watching from the sidelines, they too, like all of us, have seen Bach continue to act out, say things, do things, that all don't always align with what they find to be acceptable... even in the last 5-10 years... fair?

With that... ask yourself this... how many videos are on YouTube, or articles online that are Bach related sharing his angry moments, tirades, meltdowns, reporting on something that went wrong to the point it created a negative Headline about Bach, or him doing something that put himself in a negative light?

I just searched and found a bunch... most if not all of them, since he was out of Skid Row... many from the last 15-20 years, while he was in his 40s and 50s.

"Sebastian's Angry Moments Compilation", "Sebastian Bach Pissed-Off Compilation", or Bach having a meltdown on stage, in interviews, and other.

Now ask yourself this.... how many videos are on YouTube, or articles with similar content that you can find... but are about Tom Keifer or, Jeff Keith or Joe Elliott?

What about Steve Whiteman, Jizzy Pearl, Robert Mason, Todd LaTorre, Kip Winger, Cj Snare (RIP), Steven Tyler, David Coverdale, Jack Blades, The Nelson Twins, Phil Lewis, Mili from Steelheart, Jason McMaster, and many others... they all pretty much have literally ZERO videos or content, let's call it "baggage", that depicts them in bad-light, like the Bach stuff.

Even guys like Vince, and Pearcy have found themselves in a bad situation more than a few times, but seem to control their emotions, as to not lose their temper, and act out in a way that could be considered immature, or hateful... Bach has continued to demonstrate both of these qualities over and over.

With respect, was there drama with Jani Lane when he was alive? Yes. And the band replaced him. Was there drama with Jack Russell? Yes. The band replaced him.

Was there drama in BulletBoys with Marq? Yes. The entire band quit, came back, left again, only to reunite again, and in time they all left again. All of them.

You can also add Donnie Vie to the list, and a few others, who are their own worst enemy.

Do we see the pattern here? I think Scotti, Rachel and Dave do... and therefore have simply said; "Nah, we're all good."

The word toxic comes to mind... and it's been used to describe Bach on many occasions.... and the guys talking about "quality of life", etc.. is pretty telling.

In the end, I honestly feel like one day, they will reunite and do the big comeback tour... but... I also feel it's all in Bach's hands with his behavior.

$tEvil

Excellent Post, Stevie!

[whoami]

It boggles the mind, that people don't "get it" when it comes to Skid Row and Sebastian Bach.

The guys in the band have all went on record to say, they don't want to do it, and talk about being happy, and content with their life/band.

When Bach was in the group, there was plenty of drama, or whatever, to cause them to fire him and stay away since. And just maybe... in watching from the sidelines, they too, like all of us, have seen Bach continue to act out, say things, do things, that all don't always align with what they find to be acceptable... even in the last 5-10 years... fair?

With that... ask yourself this... how many videos are on YouTube, or articles online that are Bach related sharing his angry moments, tirades, meltdowns, reporting on something that went wrong to the point it created a negative Headline about Bach, or him doing something that put himself in a negative light?

I just searched and found a bunch... most if not all of them, since he was out of Skid Row... many from the last 15-20 years, while he was in his 40s and 50s.

"Sebastian's Angry Moments Compilation", "Sebastian Bach Pissed-Off Compilation", or Bach having a meltdown on stage, in interviews, and other.

Now ask yourself this.... how many videos are on YouTube, or articles with similar content that you can find... but are about Tom Keifer or, Jeff Keith or Joe Elliott?

What about Steve Whiteman, Jizzy Pearl, Robert Mason, Todd LaTorre, Kip Winger, Cj Snare (RIP), Steven Tyler, David Coverdale, Jack Blades, The Nelson Twins, Phil Lewis, Mili from Steelheart, Jason McMaster, and many others... they all pretty much have literally ZERO videos or content, let's call it "baggage", that depicts them in bad-light, like the Bach stuff.

Even guys like Vince, and Pearcy have found themselves in a bad situation more than a few times, but seem to control their emotions, as to not lose their temper, and act out in a way that could be considered immature, or hateful... Bach has continued to demonstrate both of these qualities over and over.

With respect, was there drama with Jani Lane when he was alive? Yes. And the band replaced him. Was there drama with Jack Russell? Yes. The band replaced him.

Was there drama in BulletBoys with Marq? Yes. The entire band quit, came back, left again, only to reunite again, and in time they all left again. All of them.

You can also add Donnie Vie to the list, and a few others, who are their own worst enemy.

Do we see the pattern here? I think Scotti, Rachel and Dave do... and therefore have simply said; "Nah, we're all good."

The word toxic comes to mind... and it's been used to describe Bach on many occasions.... and the guys talking about "quality of life", etc.. is pretty telling.

In the end, I honestly feel like one day, they will reunite and do the big comeback tour... but... I also feel it's all in Bach's hands with his behavior.

$tEvil

Rarely do I agree with Stevie, but this is spot on.

[DonJuanDeMarco]

Stevie is right by saying guys like Donnie Vie are their own worst enemy. Jani Lane couldn't keep it together. Jack Russell.

TOXIC is the right word to use too. As much as I love these guys and Sebastian, I have been around toxic people. Hell, I've been one a few times myself. It's brutal. Others cannot function with someone like that. It's all about them and their disease or their problems or just needing all of the attention.

But so many people just want to see and hear the band they grew up on. I've seen all of the above except Sebastian with Skid Row. Skids with however is singing just doesn't sound like the album. The guitars too but not the vocal and the drums.

Sebastian with his solo band is just a cover band that got lucky! It does not sound like the record. So we have it in our heads that if you get those 5 guys together it will be 1989 again. That's why we want it. But it WON'T really be like that ever again which is why it hasn't happened.

VH with Dave is the best example. I saw them and I don't remember the show at all to be honest. There was no personality. No spark. No magic.

[500DaysofNight]

They gave him the boot nearly 30 years ago. If they wanted it to happen AT ALL, it would've happened a long time ago when there was much more money to be made.

[FreddyFender]

We've discussed the subject to death, but one thing I will note that's important is that they were never friends. Bach was just a hired gun to them and they were a path to a record deal for Bach. They never liked each other, they never got along.

And that is why it's been so hard (impossible) for a reunion to happen - the guys don't need the money and they don't want to be around Bach.

Bands with high-profile splits like Dream Theater were friends. When Mike ditched them to try and go play rockstar with Avenged Sevenfold, it really hurt the other guys - specifically Labrie. But the second they all got in one room again, everything was water under the bridge.

That's not how it is with Skid Row. If they all get in the same room, it's a matter of minutes until they're beating the shit out of Sebastian.

[Wild Obsession]

The problem Skid Row has is that they (Bolan, Snake, Hill, creepy Midget drummer), are a faceless, zero personality "bar band" without an over the top/charismatic front-man. Also, their song catalog is pretty shallow compared to their piers. After 20 years of mediocrity with Solinger and ZP, they finally built some "good will" with fans by getting Erik Gromwell (a characteristic front man, who also had the vocal range/power to pull ot their back catalog). But unfortunately for whatever reason (IMO, Bolan), they have a hard time with anyone new in the band.

[jens]

Also, their song catalog is pretty shallow compared to their piers.

How many bands have more than 5 songs people REALLY want to hear?
Don't think Skid Row is struggling more than their peers to play recognisable songs for an hour...

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Who here gets back together with old girlfriends? Raise your hands. I'm waiting...

Right!

I like the couples that get married, then get divorced... but then come back around, and marry again!

Only to get divorced a 2nd time... talk about idiotic! lol

$tEvil

Who gets back together with the ex? Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Slash and Duff, Van Halen, Journey, KISS, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Tracii and Phil just to name a few.

Sebastian had very good and likable qualities and had bad qualities about him. I still say Skid Row would have never been as good, as big or done the kind of business they did in the late 80s and early 90s without him. Matt Fallon didn’t cut it.

Also, the band is currently looking for their sixth singer. That says a lot. Sebastian clearly wasn’t the only problem in that band. Rob has publicly stated that he got into fist fights with Sebastian back in the day but he won’t come back unless Sebastian is there.

""""""""""""" I still say Skid Row would have never been as good, as big or done the kind of business they did in the late 80s and early 90s without him"""""""""""""

Him?

You mean Jon Bon Jovi, right?

Or... Richie Sambora?

Or... Doc McGee?

All 3 of them, did as much or more for Skid Row than Sebastian Bach did. Without them... none of their success happens.

If those 3 don't say "Okay", Skid Row would have been playing clubs to 200-350 people just like Tuff, WildSide, Roxy Blue, etc...

I am still perplexed how some of the delusional fanboys of select bands, do not see how the big machine (industry) works.

That same machine, can work to your advantage, and at the same time, your disadvantage.

$tEvil

[GoodJudge]

I am still perplexed how some of the delusional fanboys of select bands, do not see how the big machine (industry) works.

That same machine, can work to your advantage, and at the same time, your disadvantage.

You and others in the industry here may know of a book called Hit Men by Frederic Dannen. It originally came out in 1990, I have the 2003 update. It goes into all the promotion tactics, inckuding straightforward payola, and record label politics and machinations that meant far more to whether a band succeeded or failed than their actual songs. Independent promotion (I.e. outside agents, not direct record label employees) made and required so much money that the actual mafia got in on the act. We saw it in the film world where Weinstein killed talented womens' careers if they didn't agree to blow him, and Warner Bros cancelling a bunch of completed or almost completed films a year or 3 ago for tax reasons.

Some newer bands can use social media to make their own way and some legacy acts with a dedicated fan base can still keep something of a career but BITD ypu were nothing without label support, which could change on a whim. As virtually the entire hair scene found out when Nevermind took off.

[Tommy2Tone84]

Right!

I like the couples that get married, then get divorced... but then come back around, and marry again!

Only to get divorced a 2nd time... talk about idiotic! lol

$tEvil

Who gets back together with the ex? Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Slash and Duff, Van Halen, Journey, KISS, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Tracii and Phil just to name a few.

Sebastian had very good and likable qualities and had bad qualities about him. I still say Skid Row would have never been as good, as big or done the kind of business they did in the late 80s and early 90s without him. Matt Fallon didn’t cut it.

Also, the band is currently looking for their sixth singer. That says a lot. Sebastian clearly wasn’t the only problem in that band. Rob has publicly stated that he got into fist fights with Sebastian back in the day but he won’t come back unless Sebastian is there.

""""""""""""" I still say Skid Row would have never been as good, as big or done the kind of business they did in the late 80s and early 90s without him"""""""""""""

Him?

You mean Jon Bon Jovi, right?

Or... Richie Sambora?

Or... Doc McGee?

All 3 of them, did as much or more for Skid Row than Sebastian Bach did. Without them... none of their success happens.

If those 3 don't say "Okay", Skid Row would have been playing clubs to 200-350 people just like Tuff, WildSide, Roxy Blue, etc...

I am still perplexed how some of the delusional fanboys of select bands, do not see how the big machine (industry) works.

That same machine, can work to your advantage, and at the same time, your disadvantage.

$tEvil

Sambora? That guy can’t even do a coherent interview nevermind, manage and navigate a successful solo career. Dude is a sad and cautionary tale. I’m surprised he ain’t dead yet.

Those three found Gorky Park, who are of course, still going strong some thirty five years later and are international superstars.

Respectfully, your band, Wildside, and Roxy Blue were little league compared to the likes of Skid Row and GNR. I’d even say Mr Big were a cut or two above your bands.

As good as Skid Row and the team of Sabo/Bolan are. Had they kept Matt Fallon they would’ve never made it out of the clubs either, even with JBJ and Doc’s backing. At least from the demos I’ve heard. Matt just didn’t have it.

I admit, Sebastian has his drawbacks and he has his plus and minuses. But he was the perfect frontman and fit for that band. Even with him and the three amigos backing the band. There are no guarantees in life. There wasn’t a guarantee that they would’ve made it.

[Tommy2Tone84]

I am still perplexed how some of the delusional fanboys of select bands, do not see how the big machine (industry) works.

That same machine, can work to your advantage, and at the same time, your disadvantage.

You and others in the industry here may know of a book called Hit Men by Frederic Dannen. It originally came out in 1990, I have the 2003 update. It goes into all the promotion tactics, inckuding straightforward payola, and record label politics and machinations that meant far more to whether a band succeeded or failed than their actual songs. Independent promotion (I.e. outside agents, not direct record label employees) made and required so much money that the actual mafia got in on the act. We saw it in the film world where Weinstein killed talented womens' careers if they didn't agree to blow him, and Warner Bros cancelling a bunch of completed or almost completed films a year or 3 ago for tax reasons.

Some newer bands can use social media to make their own way and some legacy acts with a dedicated fan base can still keep something of a career but BITD ypu were nothing without label support, which could change on a whim. As virtually the entire hair scene found out when Nevermind took off.

I’ve read it. The Mafia had their hands in every orifice of our economy back then. They probably still have a significant influence on it. You can’t blame them for every success and failure. Even Meyer Lansky eventually crapped out of the casino business, as rich as he was in the end. He lost all of his casinos.

KISS really shouldn’t have made it on paper. Their distribution deal through Warner’s was pulled and Shep Gordon sabotaged them and Casablanca there anyway. He got the suits to disdain the band, which wasn’t a hard thing to do in 1974, and favor his boy, Alice.

Casablanca was a kiddy clown car. A real amateur hour. Bogart was all show with little boat to sustain his sails. Or maybe Larry Harris just didn’t have the money and finance account to buy the radio djs the best coke and supply them with the best strippers?

One dj from back then flat out admitted his bias against KISS. He was an Aerosmith fan, not a KISS fan. Their makeup and stage antics immediately turned him off. The funny thing is, Aerosmith really weren’t a superior band despite what Steven Tyler’s ego might tell him in the mirror every morning or what their little fan boys might gush on about online.