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18 & A LIFETIME AGO
Johnny Solinger on Sebastian Bach returning to Skid Row; ‘I’m afraid it’s just not going to happen. It’s a lifetime ago’
Big Music Geek — Todd Newton of Big Music Geek recently conducted a Q&A with Skid Row singer Johnny Solinger. And of course, like all interviews related to the Skidsters, there is always the million dollar question.
We grabbed a few of Todd’s questions and Johnny’s answers and posted them below.
Todd: In hindsight, how surprised were you when you were initially asked to join the group? Were you nervous?
Johnny: “No, not at all. I came in very naïve. I was doing really well with my band Solinger in Dallas. I had other stuff going on at the same time there in Dallas, so when I got this random call for an audition for this, I just jumped right in. I guess I was naïve enough not to be scared, ya know? I didn’t really realize or care if it was going to be big deal. I was like ‘All right, cool. Well, you know, it’s a new quarterback and that’s it.’ The purest fans at first turned their noses but we kept going and kept going and put our own music out. And continued to give them the songs they wanted to hear live. The new Facebook just hit a million likes. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. Sure, I’ve had bashers, but when I joined, I had no idea what it was going to be like. It was trial by fire, really. I joined and within six weeks, I was touring with KISS on their farewell tour.”
Todd: How do you deal with the Skid Row purists that want Sebastian Bach back in the group? It must be hard.
Johnny: “Obviously, they can do what they want. I don’t read anything into it. I never say a negative word. A purist is a purist. If they’re going to abandon ship, it’s like ‘Take your life jacket.’ …If you’re a fan of the core of Skid Row, the people that wrote these songs and play this music, they’re still here. You can definitely love the old band and love the new band at the same time. It’s not one or the other, ya know? If it has to be, then pick me. …It tends to be a non-issue these days. It’s just not even in the conversation. He’s going to do what he’s going to do. I’m sure it’s frustrating for those guys, but I stay as far away from it as I can. I’m sure he would like to get back and work with these guys. I’m afraid it’s just not going to happen. It’s a lifetime ago. A lifetime ago.”
Todd: What type of set list have you been working with? I would imagine there are certain portion, particularly from the Skid Row and Slave To The Grind eras, that need to be played at virtually every show the group plays…
Johnny: “There are the songs you absolutely must play, but they switch it all up. And that’s the crazy cool thing about it. There are four records from which to pick material from that I’m on, so the set list is very diversified. It represents the whole of the band. Of course we’re going to have to play “18 And Life”, “I Remember You”, “Monkey Business”, “Piece Of Me”, “Slave To The Grind” and “Youth Gone Wild”. That’s the big six and those always get played. But then again, you’ve also got a whole lot of other play to go in there, too. We brought back “In A Darkened Room” (from Slave To The Grind, 1991), which I loved. We’ve been playing that for the last year or so along with “New Generation” and “Thickskin”. We’ve been doing two songs off United World Rebellion: Chapter One in the set. “Let’s Go” and “Kings Of Demolition” and they’re going over just as well as the old stuff, especially with the new kids. They know the words to the newer material as well as they know the old. Skid Row has always been about being a great live band and that’s definitely not changed. Scotty Hill, Snake Sabo and the dual guitars along with Bolan and that driving bass. That’s what you get. That is Skid Row.”
Thanks to Todd and Big Music Geek. To read the full interview go HERE
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