There are songs that you have heard a million times and you can’t take them anymore (Post about those songs another time), and those that remain eternally epic. This is my list of those songs I consider most epic.
10. “Tombs Ov Oblivion” – Crowned By Fire
9. “Back In The Saddle” – Aerosmith
8. “Breakin’ Down” – Skid Row
7. “More Than A Feeling” – Boston
6. “Now I’m Here” – Queen
5. “Dance The Night Away” – Van Halen
4. “River Of Deceit” – Mad Season
3. “No Quarter” – Led Zeppelin
2. “Love To Love” – UFO
1. “Spirits In The Night” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
These are the ten top songs which I could listen to over and over without them wearing out on me. I guess of I were to make a Hellion Rocks greatest hits CD these would be the ten songs that would make the cut for me. Why these ten songs? They each represent to me musical craft at its best. I can listen to these and be carried away on musical adventures in faraway lands. I encourage your feedback and responses with your own definitive top ten list.
I find myself again in the position of commenting on a band who has made multiple vocalist changes. The first time I heard Skid Row was when I heard “Youth Gone Wild” from their self titled release in 1989. I, like so many others, was blown away by the powerhouse vocals of Sebastian Bach. Upon further listening I came to realize the talent that the entire band held as song writers and musicians. The three studio releases with Sebastian: Skid Row, Slave To The Grind, and Subhuman Race were all fantastic and still get their fair share of play from me.
It saddened me when I heard Skid Row had parted ways with Sebastian in 1996. There was a brief stint where Sean McCabe (Shawn Mars) picked vocal duties before they settled on Johnny Solinger.
Johnny and Skid row released Thickskin, Revolutions Per Minute, United World Rebellion: Chapter One, and Rise of the Damnation Army – United World Rebellion: Chapter Two. I had managed to catch them a couple of times with Johnny and felt he did a bang up job and was a good fit with the band. I even managed to squeeze in an interview with guitarist Dave “the Snake” Sabo with my cohort Charlie Owens. Things were good within the Skid Row camp, or so we thought.
On April 6th the news was released that Skid Row had parted ways with Johnny Solinger and had picked up Tony Harnell as their new vocalist.
I am very familiar with the vocal stylings of Tony Harnell and TNT. I have always liked Tony and his voice is powerful and great for Rock N’ Roll music. Would he fit the mighty Skid Row? We would see….
April 13th 2015- I was forwarded a newly recorded version of “18 And Life” with new vocalist Tony and……was not blown away. While the elements for this formula were all stellar, something about it just fell flat for me. I haven’t counted them out yet as I will wait to see what their NEW work will sound like. I just don’t understand why they had to revisit that classic song.
So far Skid Row has had five, yes five vocalists:
Matt Fallon (1986-1987)
Sebastian Bach (1987 – 1996)
Sean McCabe (Shawn Mars) (1997–1998)
Johnny Solinger (1999 – 2015)
Tony Harnell (2015 –
Only time will tell if Skid Row has made the right decision with this move. I will always remain hopeful of a Sebastian Bach reunion although I think it will only remain on my wish list.
Skid Row, or Skid No, what is your take on the matter?
Hard Rock Legends SKID ROW Release “This Is Killing Me” Lyric Video Today
Currently Writing ‘United World Rebellion – Chapter Two’ – Release Date Coming Soon
‘United World Rebellion – Chapter One’ Out Now
Hard rock legends SKID ROW are currently writing their upcoming second EP in the United World Rebellionseries, 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 here: http://youtu.be/GVflonjC2a4
The release of United World Rebellion – Chapter One in April marked the band’s first new music unleashed in seven years.TheNew Jersey hard rock legends announced that United World Rebellion – Chapter One would be the first in a series of EPs that they plan to release in the near future.
SKID ROW is performing in a town near you! See below for all currently confirmed U.S. dates.
Confirmed SKID ROW U.S. Tour Dates:
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 be on tour in Europe/UK this October and November with UGLY KID JOE.
See what the press is saying about United World Rebellion – Chapter One:
· “The songs, all still penned by masterminds Rachel Bolan and Dave “The Snake” Sabo, still hold true to the attitude-soaked punk-leaning riffs the band built its name on.” -AllMusic.com
· “Overall, United World Rebellion – Chapter One is a powerful comeback for SKID ROW, that shows them embracing their roots and creating six standout tracks that can easily sit amongst the band’s classics. Any fan of their earlier works, as well as any hard rock or hair metal fan, should look into purchasing this album for themselves.” –Ultimate-Guitar.com
· “The long awaited five tracks are packed with more of everything that made SKID ROW legendary.” – Lithium Magazine
· If you enjoyed any of the Bach fronted SKID ROW records, you owe it to yourself to check this out… United World Rebellion – Chapter One is a solid addition to the SKID ROW catalogue and I am excited to see what “Chapter Two” will offer. – Metal-Temple.com
Check out our interview with Dave “The Snake” Sabo:
For more information on SKID ROW, visit these websites:
Sky Rock 2013 was a blast! Mrs. Hellion and I picked up daughter Hellion and then made a trek to grab Charlie “MF” Owens and headed out towards Acoma NM. We had an interview scheduled with Dave “The Snake” Sabo from Skid Row and were trying to coordinate interviews with Dokken and LA Guns. We enjoyed some rock n’ roll conversations along the way, good times with great people. We made it to Acoma and and worked out the details to get our press credentials and were treated with not only photo passes but all access as well.
We then hiked the back forty up the hill to the concert area and waited for entry into the amphitheater. We immediately ran into local openers Morbid Justice. We hung out and talked them for a bit before getting to work on covering the show.
Morbid Justice with Charlie “MF” Owens.
Morbid Justice and the Hellion
Morbid Justice put on a brutal set. With hints of early Pantera, Megadeth, and Metallica they came and they kicked ass. The crowd gave them a mighty reception and the band fed off the audience making their set even better. Great job Morbid Justice!!!
Morbid Justice
Morbid Justice
Morbid Justice
Morbid Justice
LA Guns hit the stage running playing a mix of well known classics mixed in with tracks from their new release Hollywood Forever. Phil Lewis had no trouble hitting all of his notes and his voice was spot on. Steve Riley still has the chops behind the kit and Scott Griffin kept the bottom end in check. Newcomer Michael Grant showed some serious talent on the six string. It was great to hear the songs that were part of the heyday of the Sunset Strip!
Dokken brought out the hits we all know and love. Coupled with a few new tracks they laid down a solid set giving the fans what they were waiting to hear. Don Dokken was clear and on his game. Mick Brown drums, Sean McNabb on bass, and John Levin on guitar. Great players one and all. Unfortunately we had to cut it short on watching the Dokken set as we had an interview to film with Skid Row.
We Set up and did our interview with Dave “The Snake” Sabo amidst the hustle and bustle and craziness that was the backstage area. We only had a few minutes with Dave so we made the best of it and pounded out a great interview. Check it out right here:
Skid Row owned the show without a doubt. Tight, fun, and full of energy Skid Row was a joy to watch. Johnny Solinger drew the audience in with his magnetic personality. Engaging the crowd and delivering powerful vocals. The twin guitar assault of Dave Sabo and Scotti Hill was amazing to say the least. Rachel Bolan’s bass thundered throughout the nearby hills, he even treated us to vocals on “Psychotherapy”. Rob Hammersmith provided the beat that kept them all in time. They performed the classic songs to perfection and intermingled songs off of their new EP United World Rebellion (which is an amazing piece of work). Skid Row definitely owned the night.
All in all a successful evening of ROCK N’ ROLL!!! Thank you Morbid Justice, LA Guns, Dokken, and Skid Row for the music!!!
Hard Rock Legends SKID ROW Release New EP ‘United World Rebellion – Chapter One’ TODAY – Streaming in Full via Loudwire.com Now
Today marks the release of SKID ROW’s new EP,entitled United World Rebellion – Chapter One, marking their first new music released in seven years.TheNew Jersey hard rock legends announced that this EP is the first in a series of EPs that they plan to release in the near future. In celebration of today’s release, Loudwire.com is streaming United World Rebellion – Chapter One in full for 24 hours. Listen now at this location.
“United World Rebellion – Chapter One is musically a return to our roots in the sense that it has given us a new found energy and enthusiasm,” states Rachel Bolan. “We have once again become the 16 year old kids playing air guitar in the mirror. We know this EP will connect with our amazing and loyal fans, which without whom we wouldn’t have been here in the first place.”
See what the press is saying about United World Rebellion – Chapter One:
· “The songs, all still penned by masterminds Rachel Bolan and Dave “The Snake” Sabo, still hold true to the attitude-soaked punk-leaning riffs the band built its name on.” -AllMusic.com
· “Overall, United World Rebellion – Chapter One is a powerful comeback for SKID ROW, that shows them embracing their roots and creating six standout tracks that can easily sit amongst the band’s classics. Any fan of their earlier works, as well as any hard rock or hair metal fan, should look into purchasing this album for themselves.” –Ultimate-Guitar.com
· “The long awaited five tracks are packed with more of everything that made SKID ROW legendary.” – Lithium Magazine
· If you enjoyed any of the Bach fronted SKID ROW records, you owe it to yourself to check this out… United World Rebellion – Chapter One is a solid addition to the SKID ROW catalogue and I am excited to see what “Chapter Two” will offer. – Metal-Temple.com
United World Rebellion – Chapter One reignites the youthful energy and blistering sound that SKID ROW is recognized for around the world. The band is poised to once again take over in the new age of heavy metal using the potent songwriting collaboration that built SKID ROW, in the form of Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan. Although striving to reintroduce themselves and try something different, these boys are still strong in their roots. They got older, but SKID ROW never really grew up. United World Rebellion is still the youth gone wild.
SKID ROW U.S. TOUR DATES:
4/19 – Corona, CA @ M15 Concert Bar
4/20 – Tucson, AZ @ Pima County Fair
5/31 – Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penns Peak
6/1 – Toledo, OH @ Toledo Bikefest
6/28 – Denver, CO @ Cassleman’s
6/29 – Acoma, NM @ Sky City Casino
7/12 – Dayton, OH @ House of Rock
7/13 – Woodhaven, MI @ Civic Center Park
8/5 – Sturgis, SD @ Glencoe Campgrounds
8/9 – Des Moines, IA @ Iowa State Fair Budweiser Stage
8/11 – Nashua, NH @ Evolution
8/15 – Lynchburg, VA @ Phase 2
For more information on SKID ROW, visit these websites:
New Jersey Hard Rock Legends SKID ROW to Release New Album ‘United World Rebellion – Chapter One’ on April 16, 2013
No April Fools here— SKID ROW is back! The New Jersey hard rock legends have returned with their first new music in seven years. Their new EP, entitled United World Rebellion – Chapter One is SKID ROW coming out swinging.The reincarnated band, featuring Snake Sabo (guitars), Rachel Bolan (bass), Scotti Hill (guitars), Johnny Solinger (vocals) and Rob Hammersmith (drums), will release the new EP on April 16, 2013 via MRI. United World Rebellion – Chapter One is the first in a series of EPs that the band plans to release in the near future.
United World Rebellion – Chapter One reignites the youthful energy and blistering sound that SKID ROW is recognized for around the world. “That sound and energy is what resonates with people and knocks them on their ass,” says drummer Rob Hammersmith. “We had a lot of great ideas to work with, so we’re all really excited about this new music.”
SKID ROW’s rebellious tunes hit the big time in the late1980’s. However, after several top ten singles, gold and multi-platinum sales, No. 1 Billboard charting tracks and more, the band split in 1996. In 2000, to the delight of fans everywhere, SKID ROW reformed and returned to the stage to open for Kiss. They then released two new musical offerings in the form of 2003’s ThickSkin and 2006’s Revolutions Per Minute with new singer Johnny Solinger out front. Seven years later, the band is back again with new music, ready to take over in the new age of heavy metal.
“When we put the band back together, we needed to reintroduce SKID ROW as relevant without relying too much on past success,” explains bassist Rachel Bolan. “We sunk our heart and soul into it, letting people know we weren’t doing it for lack of nothing better to do.”
For the new EP series, Rachel Bolan and guitarist Snake Sabo tapped again into the potent songwriting collaboration that built SKID ROW. Sabo says they were eagerly up to the challenge. “We seem to be at our best when we’re faced with adversity. It’s us against the world again — and by us I mean the band and the fans who stick with us and carry the SKID ROW torch without fail.”
“The idea [of releasing EPs] really appealed to me,” adds Bolan, “Especially with the constantly changing musical climate. I like the idea of a steady flow of new music, as opposed to releasing a full-length album then riding it for the next two years.”
And although striving to reintroduce themselves and try something different, these boys are still strong in their roots. They got older, butSKID ROW never really grew up. United World Rebellion is still the youth gone wild, their musical spark still burning gasoline.
“I will always be that 16-year-old kid in front of the mirror, pretending to be Ace Frehley or Michael Schenker,” admits guitarist Snake Sabo. “It’s still about writing a great song with your friend, praying it connects with someone. That has never left me. That willfulness will always exist, and there’s so much left to say!”
Their rebellion continues. United World Rebellionstarts now.
For more information on SKID ROW, visit these websites:
the Hellion Rocks 