Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan recently opened up about his debut solo album. He also addressed a pointed question about potential fan backlash in a recent interview.
The conversation centered on Bolan’s solo track “Big Stick,” which features Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. The song contains politically charged lyrics, including the lines “It’s time to kill the king” and “Let’s kick the fascists out of town.” When asked whether he was sitting on the fence, Bolan was direct about his motivations.
“I’m not Bono, but I needed to put out that song because of everything going on today,” Bolan said. “Every morning I see something more bizarre or horrible. My dad was in World War II and he told me stories about what was happening. Now I see things happening in this country that sound exactly like the stories he told me. It’s scary and it angers me.”
When pressed on whether he feared blowback from MAGA-leaning Skid Row fans, Bolan made clear he had no concerns.
“No, I’m really not,” he said. “We’re all pretty like-minded in Skid Row, though we don’t talk about it much publicly. If people don’t like me because of my views, then okay.”
Gargoyle Of The Garden State marks Bolan’s first major solo venture after decades as one of rock’s most recognizable bassists. The album arrived on June 12, 2026, through earMUSIC. It was made available across multiple formats, including CD digipak, LP gatefold, and digital download.
The record spans 11 tracks and showcases Bolan’s range as a songwriter and collaborator. He assembled an impressive roster of guest musicians that reflects both his deep roots in rock and his wide-reaching connections across the genre.
Corey Taylor is one of several high-profile contributors to the album. Other guests include Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Damon Johnson, Skid Row bandmates Snake Sabo, Scotti Hill, and Rob Hammersmith, as well as Danko Jones. Jones collaborated with Bolan on the lead single “At War with Myself,” which served as the first preview of the project when it was announced in March 2026.
The breadth of that guest list underscores the ambition behind Gargoyle Of The Garden State. The album positions Bolan as a fully realized solo artist with a clear creative vision. As “Big Stick” makes plain, that vision is not afraid to wade into uncomfortable territory.
