I admit it. I didn’t like Skid Row at first. I thought they were a bunch of pretty boy hairspray rockers, “I Remember You” and other wussy stuff like that. OK, “Youth Gone Wild” was pretty cool, but I pretty much blew off the band based upon their first album.

Then I saw them live.

Guns N’ Roses were on tour for their “Use Your Illusion” albums and Skid Row was opening up. Skid Row was promoting their “Slave To the Grind” album. I remember it pretty clearly. Sitting at the arena, lights go out, crowd goes nuts because the show is starting. A lone spotlight shines down, perfectly vertical above the drummer’s seat. Rob Affuso is standing there, hand and drumstick held high in the air, foot beating on the bass drum… getting the crowd going with an “are you ready?” sort of vibe. After building the crowd for a few moments, 4 hits to the high-hat and the stage just exploded. The band opened with “Slave to the Grind” and I was floored. This was Skid Row? This was the same band playing that pussy “I Remember You” shit? Holy crap! And they proceeded to blow away the crowd for 30-45 minutes… don’t remember exactly how long the set was, I was just amazed.

I was a convert.

I still think their debut album is a little glossy and glam, but it’s really not too bad. But “Slave To The Grind” is awesome. “Subhuman Race” was heavy. Total ass-kicking metal. Skid Row even took Pantera on tour with them; how cool is that?

Another little story.

Early ’90’s and I’m working in college radio. Kix was playing The Bayou in Washington DC (awesome show). I got guest listed and took my friend Tori. As a bit of pre-show entertainment the local rock radio station, DC 101, was doing an air guitar contest. Tori talked me into doing it. You chose one of two songs, then got up on stage for a couple minutes to rock out to it. I chose “Monkey Business” and proceeded to jump about the stage being the best rocker I could be. I didn’t win (some dude being all sexy for the ladies did), but I certainly put on the most entertaining show… I remember the emcee (DJ from the station) being a bit taken aback by my energy level on stage. It was pretty cool and a lot of fun. 🙂  Sure I made an ass out of myself, but life’s too short to take it too seriously and not have a little fun now and then.

BTW Tori… where are you? miss you girl.