This US pop metal band was formed in New Jersey in 1986 by Dave ‘The Snake’ Sabo (b. 16 September 1964, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA; guitar) and Rachel Bolan (b. James Southworth, 9 Feburary 1966, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA; bass). Canadian vocalist Sebastian Bach (b. Sebastian Philip Bierk, 3 April 1968, Freeport, Bahamas; ex-Madam X), Scotti Hill (b. Scott Lawrence Mulvehill, 31 May 1964, Manhasset, New York, USA; guitar) and Rob Affuso (b. Robert James Affuso, 1 March 1963, Newburgh, New York, USA; drums) completed the most stable line-up after Matt Fallon (b. 30 September 1965, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA; vocals) and Kurtis Jackson (guitar) had passed through the ranks. Influenced by Kiss, the Sex Pistols, Ratt and Mötley Crüe, the band’s rise to fame was remarkably rapid. The break came when they were picked up by Bon Jovi’s management (Sabo was an old friend of Jon Bon Jovi) and offered the support slot on their US stadium tour of 1989. Bach’s wild and provocative stage antics established the band’s live reputation. Signed to Atlantic Records, they released their self-titled debut album to widespread critical acclaim the same year. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard album chart and spawned two US Top 10 singles with ‘18 And Life’ and ‘I Remember You’. The 1991 follow-up Slave To The Grind surpassed all expectations, debuting at number 1 in the US charts. SKid Row’s commercial approach had been transformed into an abrasive and uncompromising barrage of metallic rock ‘n’ roll, delivered with punk-like arrogance. Afterwards, however, progress was halted by squabbling that broke the band apart following 1994’s experimental Subhuman Race, an album that divided fans with its forays into alternative metal.
Bach embarked on a solo career after being fired from Skid Row at the end of 1997. He was replaced by Sean McCabe who played with the other members in the side project Ozone Monday. The main band was re-established in 1999 with new members Johnny Solinger (vocals) and Charlie Mills (drums), although the latter was quickly replaced by Phil Varone (b. 15 October 1967, USA; ex-Saigon Kick). They toured extensively and delivered an undistinguished new album in 2003. Dava Gara replaced Varone for 2006’s Revolutions Per Minute, which reunited the band with the producer of their first two albums, Michael Wagener. (NB: Not to be confused with the Irish blues rock band of the same name.)
