Johnny Solinger on Sebastian Bach Skid Row reunion: "It's not going to happen!"

Solinger on Bach "He’s been wanting back in the band since I joined." 

Johnny Solinger on Skid Row reunion with Sebastian Bach "It's not going to happen!"
Posted By: Metal Sludge
 

LRI:  I went into graphic detail with Snake about a lot of the stuff we talked with Sebastian about and since I love both of you, I’ll spare you most of that.   I do have to ask one thing though because I was kind of perplexed by something that came up from him recently in regards to your band.  He made a lot of headlines a month or so ago when he said that he knew for a fact that there was only one person who was against a Skid Row reunion.  I knew from Snake telling me point blank that it was he who was dead set against it but I was also kind of confused because just a few months earlier  SEBASTIAN himself was telling me he wasn’t interested and  was more than happy with his solo career.  How difficult does it make things for the band when Bas floats things like that out on Twitter or whatever?

Johnny Solinger:  You know John, I’ve never said anything bad publicly about the guy because I don’t care, it’s my band to sing in now and has been for thirteen years.  First of all, when he comes out and says stuff like that it’s all crap.  It is, just like “four out of five dentists approve” is crap.  He’s been wanting back in the band since I joined but there’s not much he can say about it and not much I care to say about it.  His statement that four out of the five guys are wanting a reunion with him was just his way of getting a little attention and we don’t really care either way about it because it’s not going to happen.  I’m not saying that to be bad to the dude because I’ve never been that kind of guy to slag him or anything he does.  In fact, I totally understand the old Skid Row fans that abandoned us when I joined, that’s fine, I get it.  I totally love the fans that stayed on and enjoyed me with the band, of course (laughs) and I totally love the old Skid Row fans that have come back into the fold.  I just appreciate all of the fans, old and new, because they’re all Skid Row fans.  It’s all about the songs and the creativity and I love that about this band and their fans because they get it.

LRI:  Paul Stanley once said something to the effect of, “there’s a reason why your ex is your ex” and that seems to be the case in a lot of bands as well…

Johnny:  The thing that blows my mind about all these guys is that they’re all still friends.  I mean, we play shows with other bands where the guys in the band can’t even stand to be in the same room at the same time and it shows when they’re onstage.  My guys, to their credit, are all very cool.  They hang together, they talk to each other and are genuinely close which isn’t always as common as you’d think and is really something that makes it a pleasure to be in this band. There’s not a druggie in the band, there’s not an asshole in the band, all these different personal issues that can get in the way of making music are not an issue for us anymore which is why it’s so funny when those reunion rumors pop up because it’s just not gonna happen.  All the true-blue fans know that by now though.

LRI:  What’s your armchair psychologist’s opinion on what each guy brings to the table.  I watch a guy like Scotti Hill live and it’s just insane to me that he wasn’t on more magazine covers or mentioned as a true shredder because he just kills night after night.  He’s totally underrated and under the rader.  What’s a guy like Scotti really like?

Johnny:  Well Scotti’s got a new lease on life.  He’s been sober for a while now and he’s got a young child now.  As a player, I’ve always considered him completely underrated because he is just a phenomenal talent, world-class.  He’s the kind of guy I would have sought out to form a band with, he’s so good, he just happens to be with all these other guys who are equally amazing.

LRI:  Rachel is one of those guys I’ve been seeking for an interview for a long time now because everyone I know who’s talked to him has said he’s so interesting and such a big part of what makes the band go. Is he really the wildest member of the band like people tend to view him, what’s your take on Mr. Bolan?

Johnny: I’d say he is definitely and it’s not an act.  The man wears a buttflap onstage.  He doesn’t effort or try to be punk rock, he IS punk rock.  Go listen to a lot of that material on “Slave To The Grind” and you will hear Rachel’s influence all over it.  He’s the heart and soul of the band, he does vocals, he writes, he handles the business end.  I love the man, he’s a special person.

Read the above and more at Legendary Rock Interviews

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