30 Years Of Slave To The Grind With Sebastian Bach In Orlando

By on November 9, 2021
Photo by Randy Cook

On Sunday, November 7th, 2021, Sebastian Bach brought his Slave to the Grind 30th Anniversary tour to Hard Rock Live in Orlando Florida. This tour is a celebration of the iconic sophomore Skid Row release where Sebastian was their lead singer at the time. Opening the show were the hard rockers Kaleido, based out of Detroit, MI.

I was incredibly excited to learn I would have the chance to see and cover this show. I never had the chance to see Skid Row live fronted by Sebastian, but in 2019 I got the chance to see his solo 30th anniversary show where they played the debut ‘Skid Row’ release in its entirety and it was a hell of a show. This tour will do the same with ‘Slave to the Grind’ being played front to back.

Photo by Randy Cook

Released in 1991, Skid Row’s ‘Slave to the Grind’ was the first heavy metal album to chart at number one on the Billboard 200. I know I helped in their first week sales where it sold 134,000 copies, purchasing it on the day it came out. There are only a few releases I can say I distinctly recall buying on the day of, but I was so into Skid Row’s debut that I had to get the new one right away.

Photo by Randy Cook

Kaleido hit the stage at 7:45 PM sharp, and like many opening bands of the shows I have seen I purposefully go in deaf and blind to their music as I like to be blown away by bands I have never heard of. Which means I subsequently have been missing out on some killer music, but then that ultimately expands my personal playlists after their show. This hard rocking quartet certainly has that melodic rock interlaced with heavy metal that I love so much. They played a rousing set and the thing that caught my eye and I remember most after the show (and seeing my photos) is just how expressive each band member is with their facial expressions, like they are living in the moment within their music, especially lead singer Christina Chriss.

Photo by Randy Cook

It was apparent from the crowd’s reaction to this band that it was a mix of both old and new fans as I saw several people singing along with every word and I now fully include myself as a new fan of theirs. I found their music highly energetic and lyrically it seemed like many of their songs are written from personal experience overcoming life’s obstacles which makes it instantly relatable to anyone who has emerged triumphantly from life’s struggles. Theirs is a show which I will definitely make every effort to see again.

Sebastian took the stage at 9 PM to a rousing ovation from a near sold out crowd, launching immediately into the title track of the reason for the night’s celebration – ‘Slave to the Grind’, one of the more up-tempo songs on the album of the same name – it instantly got the crowd to their feet and horns were in the air from start to finish. I recall as a youth being absolutely amazed at Sebastian’s vocal range and to this day, over three decades later he still is blessed with that same golden voice and never once had to rely on the crowd to carry any of his tunes or especially any of the high notes. Sure, he encouraged the crowd to sing along several times, but never had to use us as a crutch to carry the song.

Photo by Randy Cook

While the eighteen song set list covered multiple Skid Row releases, I knew at some point in the evening we were in store for my all-time favorite Skid Row song, ‘Quicksand Jesus.’’ For me it felt like a religious experience hearing this song live for the first time sung by the man himself – freaking wow within the moment as it happened and goosebumps after the fact as I write this! Sebastian’s solo band is comprised of Bobby Jarzombek on drums and what a maniac behind the kit this dude is. Fully tattooed and bashing the skins with wild abandon, he and bassist Rob De Luca keep the band in musical rhythm and timing while guitarist Brent Woods is an absolute shredder on the multiple axes he switches to between songs. With the combination and chemistry of these guys musically you would swear you are hearing vintage Skid Row from back in the day.

Photo by Randy Cook

Sebastian made several mentions of just how glad he is to be back on the road and wholeheartedly thanked the fans and explained how in his last visit to Orlando the support he received from the fans as his house was being evacuated because of a fire in California was unforgettable saying on social media before the show “…All I remember is how all the rock fans of Orlando got me through the show I will never forget your support!…” Also there was several times he led the crowd in “F*ck COVID” and “F*ck 2020” chants expressing his gratitude for all of us to come together and celebrate a night of rock n roll.

Photo by Randy Cook

As the set list progressed through the night the majority of the crowd stayed not only on their feet but was a solid collective backup singer in their own rights, belting out right along with Sebastian on the classic hits we were all there to hear. I know my favorite part of the show was the four song progression of some of Skid Row’s biggest hits, all personal favorites of mine; ‘Wasted Time’, ‘Monkey Business,’ ‘I Remember You’ and ‘Youth Gone Wild’. Prior to ‘Youth Gone Wild’ we were told the story of how that song was the last Skid Row video that MTV ever played of the band and proceeded to sing us a medley of the various artists that Skid Row knocked from the top of the charts to claim the number one spot.

Photo by Randy Cook

Sebastian then kindly told us we all had to ‘Get the F*ck Out’ and launched into the concluding song of the evening. This was one hell of an entertaining evening, a walk down memory lane and some serious ass kicking heavy metal. I highly recommend catching this show if there is a tour stop near you. \m/

Photo by Randy Cook

Set list
Slave to the Grind
The Threat
Big Guns
Sweet Little Sister
Quicksand Jesus
Psycho Love
Beggar’s Day
18 and Life
Livin’ on a Chain Gang
Riot Act
In a Darkened Room
Creepshow
Mudkicker
Wasted Time
Monkey Business
I Remember You
Youth Gone Wild
Get the Fuck Out 

Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Photo by Randy Cook
Categories: Entertainment, Featured, Music
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