Even after releasing a book that's 431 pages long, there is probably so much more he has to say. Going by how much I loved this book top to bottom, I will definitely be interested in what other stories the former vocalist of legendary Metal band Skid Row and star of Stage & Screen wants to tell us.
Growing up, Skid Row played a huge part in my life, as well as many other people around the world. How could they not be when they were on MTV and radio so much; they were the soundtrack to many nights of homework, partying and long drives. It's easy to see how their second album, Slave To The Grind, hit #1 on the Billboard charts its first week out.
Besides making great music that was Pop enough to swoon over, but hard enough to bang your head to, Skid Row stood out as a band that was a little more down-to-Earth than some of the other Metal giants featured on MTV at the time. Their music was influenced by Aerosmith and KISS as much as it was by the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, which was a unique combination that they pulled off without coming off fake. As kids from New Jersey (Canada in Sebastian's case), they were more relatable to a New Englander like myself than the glittering, glamorous bands that made their name on the Sunset Strip. The West Coast bands were great storytellers when it came to singing about the debaucherous joys and pains of the Rock N' Roll lifestyle. But Skid Row sang about things a bit closer to home; grittier characters you might encounter on the dirty streets of New York; trying to escape the chains of big city rat-race mediocrity; reminiscing about nice moments on the beach with your girl.
Despite achieving huge success, they did not last as the fivesome we knew from 1989-1996. In its current form, Skid Row now includes original members Dave "The Snake" Sabo (guitars), Scotti Hill (guitars) and Rachel Bolan (bassist). They have continued to tour successfully as a band with drummer Rob Hammersmith and recently-announced vocalist ZP Theart, playing headline shows and festivals. Since he departed from Skid Row, Sebastian Bach has branched out beyond the Rock world and gone on to star on Broadway (Jekyll & Hyde, Jesus Christ Superstar and the Rocky Horror Picture Show), a variety of Reality shows (including Celebrity Fit Club, Supergroup, and Sing Your Face Off), memorable stints on Gilmore Girls and the Trailer Park Boys, and hosted VH-1's "Forever Wild." He also, of course, has continued to live out his Metal dreams by recording and touring as a solo artist.
Having always given compelling interviews since Day 1 of Skid Row, I knew that 18 and Life On Skid Row was sure to be entertaining, especially because it would be his own words on every page. I was not wrong.
The book begins with Bach's early years and gives readers an understanding of how he was lead into the dream career of being a Rock Star, how it all fell apart, and how he built himself back up again. For as many wild tales of sex, drugs & Rock N' Roll there are (there is a story that takes place on a hotel balcony that will make you blush), the book also includes touching stories about losing a parent, not wanting to fail as a Father, struggling to pick up the pieces after a painful divorce, fearing for your children's lives after the nation was attacked on 9/11, and being let down by idols as much as being inspired by them. In other words, being on top the of world doesn't mean that you can escape tragedy and disappointment, or handle it better, any more than the person sitting in the nosebleed section of your arena show.
One of the endearing things about Bach has always been that is that he is not only a music legend, but a passionate music fan. He's just as capable of major geek-outs as the kids who geek out over meeting him. His passion carries over into other areas of his life, for better or worse. Being a very emotional person is a great characteristic to have as an artist, but off stage (or sometimes onstage in the case of the Springfield bottle-throwing incident of 1989), emotions can get him into trouble. Back in the days of being an avid Metal Edge/Circus/Hit Parader/Rip magazine reader, I saw in an article somewhere that his nickname was "Marshall Mouth." After reading many of these stories, I can see why. He's not one to sit quietly if he feels something needs to be said, especially if he feels antagonized (ask Izzy Stradlin's brother how well that worked out for him). As a 48-year-old, Sebastian still has the fiery personality fans loved him for when he was a 21-year-old, but now he seems to know how to control it more for the good of himself and his relationships to the people around him.
As for that ever-annoying question "Is Skid Row gonna get back together??", Bach recounts a discussion he once had with actor Sean Penn regarding a reunion, and how (if I understand Penn correctly) the reunion itself is as impactful as hearing the music by the people who created it together. It sounds like there is much to be worked out before the five men of the original lineup can stand the idea of being in the same room, let alone go on the road together in close quarters for weeks on end. Bach seems much more grateful and patient these days according the final chapter of the book, even thanking those he's had words with in the past, so maybe there is a possibility in the future. Or, maybe not. But for now, fans can still check Sebastian out on his own, or the 2017 lineup of Skid Row when they come to town. By the way, having recently seen Skid Row post-Sebastian, as well as the Bach on his own with a backing band, both shows are a great time.
If you couldn't tell by now, I felt "18 and Life On Skid Row" was a hugely enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to anyone who was even a casual fan of the band or Sebastian. If you were one of the many who played the tape so much the typeface faded off the cassette and plastered your walls with his face, it's mandatory.
To keep up with Sebastian, check out his website SebastianBach.com.
