Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan recently discussed the band’s musical influences and shared his perspective on rock stars. He addressed questions about Van Halen’s impact on the group in an interview with Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz.
When asked about Van Halen’s influence on Skid Row compared to KISS, Bolan clarified the band’s musical inspirations. He also revealed his personal preference for punk rock icons.
“No. For Snake (Dave ‘Snake’ Sabo) it definitely was. You know, Snake Van Eddie Van Halen is probably one of Snake’s biggest influences,” Bolan said. “At least Scotty Snake and myself, we all saw KISS on the same tour within days of each other not knowing each other existed. So, KISS were is the reason that the three of us do what we do.”
The bassist acknowledged Van Halen’s significant impact on rock music. He also explained his own musical preferences during that era.
“But that said, Van Halen, I mean, that first Van Halen record is I’ll put that up against any hard rock record that has been out since, you know, it just it changed everything,” he continued. “Like it for guitar players especially, it just it changed everything. Everyone wanted to play like Eddie Van Halen. But I know Snake lists Eddie as one of his major influences.”
Bolan then revealed why he gravitated toward punk rock instead. He expressed his admiration for different types of rock stars.
“But when that came out I loved it, but I was also really into punk rock. Like really really into punk rock and I was being just sucked into punk rock,” he said. “So it was kind of you know it had attitude like punk rock but, you know, David Lee Roth was definitely not Johnny Rotten and not Joey Ramone and those were the guys that I thought were rock stars.”
Bolan’s deep connection to punk rock has been a defining characteristic throughout his career. It has shaped both his musical approach and songwriting style for Skid Row.
Born James Richard Southworth on February 9, 1964, Bolan’s musical journey began with punk rock influences that would later become the foundation of his artistic identity. Wikipedia noted that Bolan credits drummer Damian Cordisco with opening his ears to music he had not heard, by artists such as Ramones, AC/DC, Joe Jackson, Sex Pistols, the Cars and Elvis Costello during his junior high years. This early exposure to punk rock would prove instrumental in shaping his musical philosophy and approach to bass playing.
The bassist’s punk rock roots run deeper than many fans realize, as revealed in recent interviews about his musical background. A YouTube video discussing Skid Row’s influences showed that Bolan was “all about The Ramones, Sex Pistols, Dead Boys,” revealing that punk—not metal—represents Skid Row’s “real roots.” This punk foundation has remained consistent throughout his career. It has influenced not only his bass playing style but also his songwriting approach for the band.
Bolan’s commitment to his punk rock influences continues to manifest in his recent solo work. This demonstrates the lasting impact of these early musical discoveries. WRIF reported that in a 2026 interview promoting his solo album “Gargoyle of the Garden State,” Bolan discussed bonding with guest vocalist Corey Taylor over their shared “punk rock background” tastes, selecting songs that fit their mutual musical preferences. This collaboration highlights how Bolan’s punk influences continue to guide his artistic choices decades after first discovering the genre.
The bassist’s musical journey began remarkably early. His first performance took place in 1978 at Manasquan High School in New Jersey, right during the height of the punk explosion. Cobras and Fire documented that this early start in music coincided perfectly with punk rock’s emergence as a cultural force, allowing Bolan to absorb these influences during their most vital period. His bass playing style reflects this punk foundation, blending the genre’s raw energy and driving rhythms with the precision required for Skid Row’s metal sound. This creates a unique approach that prioritizes song-serving foundation over technical virtuosity.
