Ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach recently discussed his solo career and explained his approach to performing both old and new material, as reported by Ultimate Classic Rock.
Bach addressed his philosophy on incorporating new songs into his live performances. He rejected the common practice of focusing solely on classic hits.
“I don’t buy into the whole thing of….we can’t do any new songs,” Bach said. “I remember [late Pantera drummer] Vinnie Paul did an interview [about his band, Hellyeah] that I read back then, saying, ‘All of these bands [say they] don’t do new songs, we do f–king new songs, we don’t have that problem.'”
The vocalist emphasized his commitment to maintaining a diverse setlist that spans his entire career.
“My band doesn’t have a problem,” he continued. “It’s not oldies night. We do play old songs, but we play new songs too. We’re doing songs in my set from the year 1987 to the year 2024 and that’s a pretty good run.”
Bach also explained his personal need for musical variety and his ongoing search for fresh material.
“Fans like that,” he said. “You know, when people say older fans tune out on new music, I feed off new music. I don’t hear a lot of it that comes out now that I like because it’s all processed or whatever. But I’m all always looking for new songs to get off on. Like, I need that. I get bored of the same song over and over. I like to find new things.”
Bach’s commitment to performing new material reflects his extensive experience in the music industry. His relentless touring schedule keeps him connected to audiences worldwide.
Moondance Jam reported that Bach sold some 20 million albums with his former band Skid Row. This established him as a multi-platinum rock artist. His commercial success with the band included breakthrough albums that defined the late 1980s and early 1990s metal scene.
Wikipedia noted that Skid Row’s album Slave to the Grind (1991) hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This made it one of the most successful heavy metal albums of its era. The band’s self-titled debut album Skid Row (1989) also achieved multi-platinum status. This cemented Bach’s reputation as a powerful vocalist in the hard rock genre.
Bach’s work ethic remains impressive decades after his Skid Row success. Music Radar revealed that he toured 91 cities in 2024 alone. He sometimes performed seven shows in a single week.
“I sometimes do seven shows in a week. A week! I did 91 cities in 2024 — I’m not exaggerating. For an old man I think I deserve a little credit,” Bach said in the Music Radar interview.
His latest album Child Within the Man (2024) represents his continued commitment to creating new music. It provides fresh material for the diverse setlists he champions in his live performances.
