In a new conversation with Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation, former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach was asked whether conflict between bandmates can actually be good for creating music.
Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Bach responded:
“Well, to an extent. To an extent. Music has a life of its own. And us as human beings, we are so passionate about music that it causes musicians to argue about the music, because we all want it to be the best it can be and we all think we know how to do that. So you’ll get a lot of butting heads, like David Lee Roth with Eddie Van Halen, or me with [SKID ROW bassist] Rachel [Bolan]. I think I know how to do it best, and so does he. The sad part about it is, is that we’re stronger together than apart — or at least we were; maybe not now. [Laughs]”
Bach added that despite the tensions, he believes the band could create something powerful if they ever reunited.
“I just know that if we came together again, we would definitely make some good music because I know that we know how to do that. But we’re so passionate about SKID ROW, all of us, that we can’t see eye to eye about the band. And it’s very sad.”
Chemistry With Rob Affuso
Bach reflected on his recent on-stage experience with former SKID ROW drummer Rob Affuso, describing their musical bond as “undeniable.”
“I just did a gig with Rob, the [former] drummer of SKID ROW, Rob Affuso, two or three weeks ago, and the magic between me and him is crazy,” he explained. “He’s in my new videos too — he’s in What Do I Got To Lose? and (Hold On) To The Dream videos — and me and him have a chemistry that when we’re on stage together is undeniable.”
The singer went on to imagine what a full reunion of the original lineup would look like:
“We both say to each other, ‘Man, this is really heavy, us two together. Can you imagine if it was all five of us, the old band together?’ The chemistry and the nostalgia factor of seeing us five together would be really remarkable. And I hope it happens someday, because we’re all still alive. So hopefully it’ll happen while we’re still alive.”
Reunion Talks That Fell Apart
The frontman also revealed just how close a SKID ROW reunion came to reality before the band recruited ZP Theart (formerly of DRAGONFORCE) as their singer in late 2015.
“Yeah. It got really close — I don’t know how many years ago, like six years, seven years ago. Right before they got their singer [ZP Theart] from DRAGONFORCE [in late 2015], I was under the impression that we were gonna get back together. And it was New Year’s Eve and I saw online, ‘Here’s the new SKID ROW singer.’ And I go, ‘You’ve gotta be f-cking kidding me.’ And I texted ’em all, ‘F-ck you. F-ck off.’ I was blown away that they were gonna get, like, [singer] number seven or number eight.”
According to Bach, the band insisted that the new singer was “only temporary” while reunion talks were still being considered. But for the vocalist, the moment felt like a betrayal.
“But I’m an emotional dude. That’s why I sing for a living. And when I saw that news, I was not happy about it at all.”
On Seeing Former Bandmates Again
Despite the conflicts, Bach insists he would still be open to a conversation with guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo or other members if the opportunity arose.
“Absolutely. I sure would. Yeah, I would,” he said when asked if he would approach Sabo if they crossed paths at an airport lounge.
Bach contrasted the irony of working with so many other famous musicians — yet never with his former SKID ROW bandmates.
“It’s just so ironic that I play with so many other musicians. I’m in a corporate band called ROYAL MACHINES, which is Billy Morrison of THE CULT, Steve Stevens, Josh Freese on drums. I play gigs with these guys all the time. I have another band with Matt Sorum called KINGS OF CHAOS, and we play shows all the time. I’ve got my own solo band. So I play with many different musicians except for the guys in SKID ROW [laughs], which is so ironic. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t make logical sense. But maybe someday we’ll pull our heads out of our a-ses and take a deep breath of fresh air.”
