18 And Life On Skid Row by Sebastian Bach review

Confessions of a coke-snortin’, bottle-throwin’ Kiss disciple

Cover art for 18 And Life On Skid Row by Sebastian Bach

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During the filming of the reality TV show Supergroup, Skid Row’s former manager Doc McGhee famously noted of that band’s former frontman “Sebastian Bach hasn’t changed. He’s still low IQ, high RPM.”

Reviewers haven’t been universally kind to this self-penned memoir, but like the author it displays relentless, childlike enthusiasm. Although it’s difficult to believe that Bach really does voice bafflement over his sacking by Skid Row in 1996, and the book’s groupie (s)exloits become tiresome, he has some cracking anecdotes, such as the occasion when David Lee Roth faxed apologies to Bach and Axl Rose following a Jack Daniel’s charged session at the Rainbow in LA during which Roth, much to Axl’s chagrin, addressed the pair as “a couple of pretenders to my throne”.

On Supergroup Bach slammed Ted Nugent as a racist, and although his memory may be fallible he is to be applauded for telling the truth as he sees it.

Dave Ling

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.