Justin Sargent, the new singer of Skid Row, explained how the band kept his appointment secret for months while they got to know each other before making the news public, speaking on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
Sargent was chosen to replace the previous singer after the band’s lengthy search. The band decided to keep the decision quiet during an initial period to make sure he was the right fit for the group.
“It’s been a couple of months,” Sargent said. “And what was a really great tactic that these gentlemen used here — we spent a lot of time getting to know each other before things became official.”
“Nothing was rushed into. We wanted to make sure that it was a good fit, that we could all be in a room together and hang and have a great rapport.”
Sargent added that the connection felt strong from the start. “And interestingly enough, from day one it just felt solid. And so it was really important for everybody to make sure that that day wasn’t just an anomaly and that this could be something that is gonna be lasting. And, like I said, the last couple months have been proof that that is certainly the case.”
The comments came as Skid Row announced their new singer after keeping the decision private during the trial period.
The band’s search for a new frontman began after Erik Gronwall departed in March 2024 to focus on his health following a previous battle with Leukemia. Skid Row partnered with Sweetwater in February 2026 to launch an online audition process that drew more than 1500 submissions, but the band ultimately found Sargent through an unexpected route when their manager Robby Hoffman attended a charity gig in New Jersey.
After Sargent caught the band’s attention, the musicians spent months in conversations and rehearsals before moving forward with the appointment. Co-founder Rachel Bolan said Sargent felt like he had been with the band from the beginning the moment he walked in the room, and praised how he sang with so much power and conviction. Dave “Snake” Sabo noted that he had a strong feeling about Sargent right away, highlighting how his voice, attitude and demeanor aligned with what they were searching for.
Sargent is a Broadway veteran who made his stage debut in 2011 in the hard rock jukebox musical Rock Of Ages, and also appeared in productions including Bonnie & Clyde and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. The band’s first recording with Sargent is a cover of The Who’s 1971 classic Won’t Get Fooled Again.
