Skid Row - Make London their bitch!!!

****2/3

Are back at their best!!!

Skid Row ****1/2 of course are most famous for their Sebastian Bach era, but the band have had other singers including Matt Fallon before Bach. And after him with Johnny Solinger and ZP Theart (Dragonforce), and now Swedish Idol winner Erik Gronwall (H.E.A.T.). After parting with ZP Theart, I have to be honest he was a singer I didn't really think was right for Skid Row and refused to go and see them with him. Erik was the perfect choice, with his raspy vocals... everyone always wondered what it would be like if he sang in Skid Row. And now everyone has had the chance to find out, because they have released an album with him 'The Gang's all Here', and he has been touring with them too as a proper member. Including tonight's show at the London, Kentish Town, o2 Forum, UK, which is actually being filmed for a DVD to be released next year (Release date to be Confirmed).

The anticipation for Skid Row to come to the stage is electric, and as they burst into 'Slave to the Grind' the venue erupts and you instantly know that the show is going to be something quite special.They continue with another song off the same record which was released way back in 1991 and entitled the same name as their opening song 'Slave to the Grind', 'The Threat' might not have been my personal choice for the second song in the set. 'Big Guns' sounds huge, like they have actually brought out the "Big Guns!!!" during this song air cannons go off and everything is just so cool. You really forget how many great songs that Skid Row have, for me they are up there with Guns 'n' Roses, Metallica, Def Leppard and all the other 'Big Guns'... so I think it's suiting that they have a song called this.

Come on, they have their own 'November Rain' type song with '18 to Life', and 'Don't Cry' with 'I remember You'. For me songs like 'Piece of Me' and the 'Riot Act', just kick so much ass!!!. I also love their Ramones cover of 'Psycho Therapy', which see's Rachel Bolan taking vocal duties for this song. I actually love when Rachel does vocals, he has such attitude in his voice and I actually like the Skid Row version more than the original. These are songs you really want to hear live, like new song 'Tear it Down'... which has the old school Skid Row vibe to it which I absolutely love. And of course 'Monkey Business' which is such a fun song, with their harmonics on the guitar at the beginning... and it has one of the best kick in's I have ever heard in a .track I know I was jumping around to this one, being professional just had to take a back seat for a few minutes.

At times in some of the new material, you can hear what Erik brought to H.E.A.T. and some of it is not typical of Skid Row. This is not to say I don't like it, but it is a slightly new direction. And it's nice of the other guys to let him bring this into the mix, but I have to say I like Skid Row to sound like Skid Row... so I hope there is less of this on the next album. This is shown on the title track of the new record 'The Gang's all Here' and a little on 'Time Bomb', have a listen and tell us what you think. The encore starts with a get your phones out moment for a heartfelt rendition of 'I remember You', which is a little cheesy but magical at the same time. Next song in the three song encore is for me a little silly,  'Time Bomb' has lyrics like 'Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik....Tik... Tik... Bomb!!!' it's a little too chart friendly and maybe a little too Pop Punk to be a Skid Row song.

This is just my opinion on it, I don't hate it... I am just not sure it fits in under the Skid Row banner. I am a huge fan, and have played all the records a million times... so I know what I want from a Skid Row song. And also don't get me wrong when I have to say I have always loved 'Youth gone Wild', and I can see why it's one of their biggest songs... but they have so many songs equally as good. So it always annoys me, when people don't pay enough respect to all the songs, and just go crazy for the really big hits. Saying that it does end the set off with a bang, and you just wish it was the weekend not a Monday night so you can go out with your friends after on the town. I have to say I was so impressed by their performance, I will be going to the next Skid Row tour and think you should too.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Skid Row - Setlist
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Slave to the Grind
The Threat
Big Guns
18 and Life
Piece of Me
Livin' on a chain Gang
Psycho Therapy (Ramones Cover)
In a darkened Room
Makin' a Mess
The Gang's all Here
Riot Act
Tear it Down
Monkey Business
I remember You
Time Bomb
Youth gone Wild

Check Out! the Video for 'Time Bomb' Below...