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Skid Row's Sebastian cleans up with new band, show

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/19/06

EAST RUTHERFORD — Sebastian Bach was back raising the roof before a packed Meadowlands crowd. Then he went on the prowl backstage.

Only this time, the former Skid Row frontman was not belting out "18 and Life" or "I Remember You" from the pre-eminent, late-'80s/early-'90s metal band. He was singing the national anthem at the New Jersey Nets' regular-season finale on April 19.

And instead of hunting down a post-show score, he was seeking out that night's inspiration — the Rutgers University Queens Guard, whose members were holding the flags while he sang.

"That was for the troops," Bach said. "Not to get heavy, but I always have to connect with my music, or it sounds like poo.

"And any good singer like Janis Joplin or Bruce Springsteen, when they're singing, it's in their hearts. So I always have to have a lyrical touchstone. For me, it was the troops."

Don't worry. The man who once sang of the "Youth Gone Wild" is nowhere close to becoming the Aged Gone Tame. The 38-year-old Middletown resident is as excitable as ever, discussing the past, present and future with his typical hyperactivity. But there is a little, dare we say, perspective going on here.

Bach recently completed his newest professional endeavor, the VH1 reality show "SuperGroup," where he fronts an all-star band. Damnocracy (middle "n" silent, please) includes legendary guitarist Ted Nugent, Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, Biohazard bassist Evan Seinfeld and drummer Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin's skin-basher, John Bonham.

When the show premieres Sunday, viewers will see Bach go from self-confessed drunkard to sober — through the intervention of his new band mates. He has stayed dry since then.

"For me, it was a life-changing experience because Ted made me quit drinking," Bach said. "There's definitely an episode of tough love. Evan Seinfeld and Jason Bonham and Ted Nugent came in there 100 percent sober. Sebastian Bach came in there 100 percent not sober."

Bach is quick to point out that he has always performed sober, either with Skid Row, as a solo artist or in any of the Broadway shows he has been in.

"But I would way more make up for it afterward — like a lunatic," he said. "But I gotta say, I'm 38 now. I'm getting older. So I'm looking around and saying, "I could either be this guy, or like Ted Nugent.' There are so few Ted Nugents. The guy is 57 years old and he's at the top of his game even now. Ted just said, "Dude, you gotta choose. You've got to choose between me and the bottle if you want to do this.' Remember those T-shirts that said, "Choose Life?' I chose Ted."

Bach said the experience also made him a better band mate. The quintet spent 12 days together in a Las Vegas mansion writing, jamming and recording before taking it onstage.

"Before I got there, I put in my rider that I want a TV in my room, a coffee maker . . . there was none of that," Bach said. "You're together the whole time. I mean, I would do it forever."

Bach probably doesn't need to. He has a recurring role as Gil on the WB's highly rated series "The Gilmore Girls." The exposure of "SuperGroup" should also boost attention for his next solo release, "Angel Down," due in September. And if it catches on and schedules allow, perhaps Damnocracy can become a steadier project.

But if Bach has gone away from what made Skid Row dismiss him in late 1996, perhaps it lends a little more credence to the idea of a Skid Row reunion. That and the fact that Skid Row is basically the only band of its era not to cash in on a reconvening.

"You'd have to ask them (the band members), that's all I can tell you," Bach said.

We tried. The band's management did not respond for a comment. But in the past, original members Rachel Bolan and Dave "Snake" Sabo have talked of an ugly split with Bach and claimed they were happier without him. Skid Row still continues to tour this year.

"I'm easygoing, man!" Bach insisted. "People may have a certain image of me. But my thing is, "18 and Life' is such an incredible song. It's like, if we could come up with something half as good as that . . . but that's a tall order.

"My thing is, when we wrote that first album, we were best friends. I was living in Rachel's house. We were jamming in Rachel's garage in Toms River. We were best friends. We were New Jersey rock 'n' roll."

But for now, Bach is content to be back — busy and sober.

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