Backstage at a recent Days of the Dead horror convention stop in Chicago, Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan talked about the band’s approach to business and ethics within the rock music industry.
The musician emphasized the importance of asking questions and knowing one’s worth, saying:
“We always ask questions. Are we the best businessmen in rock and roll? Not by far. Are we better than a lot? Yes. Better because we ask questions. The main thing I tell people or bands is know your worth. And that got passed down to us from people like Gene Simmons.”
Embracing The Brand Beyond The Band
He also highlighted that understanding the concept of a ‘brand’ is crucial, noting:
“And the Bon Jovi guys. Know what you’re worth and know what your brand means. When you’re 23, you’re trying to get your head around it. ‘Brand? We’re a band, not a brand!’ But you are a brand.”
The bassist then reflected on Skid Row’s mentality to conduct business with transparency:
“I like to think that the thing that we’re doing right the most is that we have never motherf*cked anybody. We have been above board, transparent, and absolutely honest with everybody that we’ve come in contact with and done business with. That’s the way everyone should do business.”
The Influence Of Gene Simmons And KISS
Last year, Bolan expressed his admiration for Gene Simmons, not just as a business model but also as a musical inspiration. Reflecting on their involvement with KISS’s End of the Road World Tour, he stated:
“When we got these new KISS dates, the 12-year-old me is freaking out pretty hard again; you know, I think we’re one of probably the only band that could say we’re playing both their farewell tours, but it’s so exciting to go out with a band especially just zeroing in on Gene Simmons here’s the reason I even picked up a bass in the first place he’s the reason why I learned what a bass was you know I had no idea.”
Skid Row has yet to schedule new dates following the postponement of multiple shows in their December 2023 tour with Buckcherry due to the flu and COVID-19 outbreak among band and crew members.
