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Skid Row - Biography


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1989-

Biography

In 1987 SKID ROW was born in a garage somewhere in Toms River, N.J. Like a bastard child of a thousand maniacs, they relentlessly pounded the New Jersey club circuit; packing houses wherever they performed.

Fast forward to 1989. SKID ROW's debut album goes on to sell over 5 million copies in the U.S.A. along with a tour that takes them around the world.

1992 the band releases their second record "SLAVE TO THE GRIND" which debuts at #1 on the Billboard charts. Making them the first Heavy metal/Hard rock band to do so. "Slave" rockets to multi-platinum status. This is also followed by a massive world tour.

In 1995 band relationships severely strain, but they reluctantly go into the studio to record what was thought to be their final release "SUBHUMAN RACE". Soon after, the band parted ways.

That was until late 1999 when founding members Rachel Bolan, Scotti Hill, and Snake Sabo decided that SKID ROW meant far to much to them let the music fade into rock obscurity. There were changes to be made the question was "who". Enter Texan singer Johnny Solinger. Suggested through a mutual friend the band visited Johnny's website and were immediatley interested in what they heard. A few e-mails later and the singer was on a plane to N.J. "He had a quiet confidence about him when he walked through the front door" says guitarist Snake. Rachel adds "We knew he was the guy half way through the first song of his audition. Johnny fit the bill to a "T". Great voice, great attitude and was clear on what the band was about". With a new frontman in place the band needed a rock solid drummer. They turned to long time friend Phil Varone. "Phil came into rehearsal and started playing and everything felt right. It was like he had been in the band forever." explains guitarist Scotti Hill. If they thought things couldn't get better, they did. In 2000 SKID ROW landed the coveted opening slot on the KISS "Farewell Tour". The tour of tours. It brought SKID ROWs music back to the hungry masses. Since then the band has logged a few hundred thousand bus miles and some 350 shows during which the band was busy writing new songs for their upcoming cd "THICKSKIN". "This new album will put SKID ROWs past in perspective and future in place." says singer Johnny.