Skid Row’s self-titled debut album turns 30

Skid Row. Left to Right: Rachel Bolan, Dave Sabo, Rob Affuso, Scotti Hill, Sebastian Bach. Photo Courtesy of Atlantic Records.

For 30 years, music fans have heard the music of Skid Row through the radio or other forms of media whether it be a power ballad like “I Remember You” or heavy hitters like “18 and Life,” which proved to be their biggest hit by reaching No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

On Jan. 24, 1989, Skid Row released their self-titled debut album and reached number six on the Billboard 200. The album created four singles, “Youth Gone Wild,” “18 and Life,” “I Remember You” and “Piece of Me,” with music videos accompanying each one. To promote the album, they were the opening act for Bon Jovi’s New Jersey Syndicate Tour as well as Aerosmith’s Pump Tour.

Their success of this album led to their 1991 chart-topping release, “Slave to the Grind”  generating hits such as “Monkey Business” and “Slave to the Grind.” This led to the band opening for Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion Tour then headlining their own tour in 1992.

Their 1995 album “Subhuman Race” was the last album to be released under Atlantic Records and feature lead singer Sebastian Bach. Bach was fired from the band in 1996 and later began a solo career among other projects. Bach and followers of the band have been wanting a reunion ever since. A Reunion has come very close over the years but has always fallen through leaving fans wondering if it will ever happen.

On June 5, 1995, it was certified five times platinum, which equals 5 million units in sales. The album itself and the songs within it live on to this day with songs being featured in TV shows ranging from “Gilmore Girls” to “South Park.”

Jan. 24, 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the first album. Bach spoke to the Herald-Tribune about the milestone.
“Well, you know, you only get one 30th anniversary, so it is quite amazing. I don’t have contact with those guys so that’s kind of a drag, but I’m not going to ignore that 30th anniversary. I plan on commemorating it if I can in some way, possibly with a live show; we’re thinking about that. I think Atlantic is thinking of re-releasing the first album, but I don’t know the details on that. But we’ll find out soon.”

Rhino Records, which is a re-issue distributor for Atlantic Records, commemorated the 30th anniversary of the album by releasing a digital deluxe edition with the original tracks remastered and a bonus track “Forever,” which was previously released on the 1998 compilation album “40 Seasons: The Best of Skid Row.” Also included is an unreleased live recording of their April 28, 1989, performance at the Marquee in Westminster, California, featuring a cover of the Kiss song “Cold Gin.” This is the first time a full live show has been released by the band. The track listing is below.

Skid Row (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition). Photo Courtesy of Rhino Records.

Skid Row – Remastered:

1. Big Guns
2. Sweet Little Sister
3. Can’t Stand the Heartache
4. Piece of Me
5. 18 and Life
6. Rattlesnake Shake
7. Youth Gone Wild
8. Here I Am
9. Makin’ a Mess
10. I Remember You
11. Midnight / Tornado
12. Forever (Bonus Track)

Live at the Marquee, Westminster, California (April 28, 1989):

1. Makin’ a Mess
2. Piece of Me
3. Big Guns
4. 18 and Life
5. Sweet Little Sister
6. Rattlesnake Shake
7. I Remember You
8. Here I Am
9. Youth Gone Wild
10. Cold Gin (Kiss Cover)

You can purchase the remastered deluxe edition of the album from your favorite digital retailer here.