Dave "Snake" Sabo (Skid Row)

Dave “The Snake” Sabo is a guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the band Skid Row. The band was formed in 1986 with bassist/songwriter Rachel Bolan and originally called Darkness. They went on to sell millions of records and tour with Guns ‘N Roses, Motley Crue, Kiss and others. Their new record “The Gang’s All Here” is a return to form and bridges the gap between the first two records. We discuss the new album and working with producer Nick Raskulinecz, plus some of the old stuff, and tons of great band trivia - much of which I don’t think has ever been revealed before! Great episode!

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:36 - Working with Producer Nick Raskulinecz
0:06:15 - Songwriting & Shape of Songs with Nick
0:09:15 - Songwriting Collaborations
0:10:03 - Single "The Gang's All Here" & Inspiration
0:14:43 - Theme of the Album & Underdog Role
0:16:51 - October's Song
0:20:00 - Playing Live & Division in the World
0:24:58 - Gratitude, Humility, Kindness & Success
0:28:31 - Early Days of Skid Row
0:31:02 - Jon Bon Jovi & Dave's Time in Bon Jovi
0:35:35 - Matt Fallon, Tico Torres & Demos
0:36:58 - Drummer Rob Affuso
0:38:17 - Geffen Vs. Atlantic
0:41:35 - Michael Wagner, Max Norman & Producers
0:43:25 - Slave to the Grind & Songwriting
0:46:16 - Get the Fuck Out
0:47:28 - The Threat & Wasted Time
0:49:40 - Breakin' Down & Subhuman Race
0:53:57 - Home Videos & Comedy
0:55:55 - Recording with Scotti & Connection
0:57:40 - Atlantic Records Box Set
0:58:20 - Skid Row Trivia
1:00:02 - Skid Row Jackets & Touring
1:01:34 - N.A.M.I.
1:02:47 - Erik Gronwall
1:03:20 - Outro

Skid Row website:
https://www.skidrow.com/

N.A.M.I. website:
https://www.nami.org/Home

Chuck Shute website:
http://chuckshute.com/

Transcript

Chuck Shute: 0:00

Yes, well Skid Row is back. They have a new album coming out on October 14, the title of the album and the first single is the gang's all here. I think it's a brilliant song. And the whole album is like that. It's old school Skid Row. Sounds amazing to me. And I'm a diehard fan. So we have Dave's the snake CEVO here, and he's going to tell us all about it, how it was working with prolific producer Nick Rasca len of IT side never can say that right. But that guy's worked with Rush Allison chains, Foo Fighters and so many more. Plus, we're going to talk to Dave about some of the old days and the meaning behind some of the old tunes. Plus I see if I if snake can stumped me on any Skid Row trivia, all this and more coming right up. Real quick. If you're watching this on YouTube, please make sure to hit the like button and subscribe on the show. I would really appreciate it and it will help bump this up some more people will see it more in your promoting Skid Row by that by doing that as well. Thank you so much.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 1:06

Thanks for making time for me. I'll wait six hours. I don't care. I'm a huge fan. So this is like a dream come true. I'm like, literally slave to the grain. First rock record I ever listened to like I was in a rap and stuff. And I was dating this girl. And she was kind of put on some Skid Row like, I don't know what the hell that is. I was like, You're a girl. Like I get to be with a girl. Whatever you want. She puts it on. I'm like, I actually really liked his music. And then now I'm a rock fan.

Unknown: 1:30

Well, I do. Thank you so much. That's awesome.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 1:34

Yeah, so and i love i gotta say, I love the new record. I think it it bridges the gap between the debut and slave to the grind. I feel like it's right in between those two? I I don't know, is that kind of how you feel to like, I feel like it's not really the debut, but it's not really slave either. It's like right in the middle.

Unknown: 1:52

It certainly feels that way. I and that was that was the general intention. When we started making this record was it was all Nick Raskulinecz. It's it was all his idea who produced the record. He was like, I want to reintroduce you guys to you guys. And it was like, What do you mean by that? He's like, Well goes, there's what you guys to find that spot within you. A What drove you not only to pick up your instruments, but to create music and then create music with each other and put a band together and jam in a garage. And just that that mentality. And of course, you can't retrace your steps exactly. Because it's, you know, 35 years have gone by and 35 years of life has been lived. And no, you're not going to rewrite, you'd go wild, as you know, as you would have it when you were 21 years old or anything like that. It's not about that. It's about that essence of how you're going and how you express yourself. And the camaraderie that the three of you have Scotty, Rachel, myself, and what has kept us together for so long. And you know, because whatever you record, you each attempt to do something a little different with every record, just so you don't become redundant. least that's what we've done. And then all of a sudden, 35 years have passed, you're like, wow, we're we're quite a bit away from where we started from, you know. And so Nick was like, he's like, I'm a fan. I know your music inside and out. I've seen you guys play countless times, I want to make a skid row record. And we're like, okay, we're putting all our trust in you. And and so when doing so his whole vision was we're going to deconstruct every song and rebuild them. And we're gonna get a room. And we're just going to keep going through, and we're gonna find out what works and what does it add until we get it right. We're like, Wow, awesome. This Versa, we've ever been in a situation like this. And so we, we realize that in order to fully put our trust in somebody that we're going to have to leave our egos in the parking lot. Like that's just the way if we're going to be receptive, that kind of opened ourselves up and be vulnerable, and let this guy lead the way. Then we really have to be without ego completely. So

Chuck Shute: 4:59

like we willing to take his criticism was what you mean? Everything.

Unknown: 5:03

Everything just trusted his guidance. And he's one of those guys though, like, he'll challenge you on every level. But in a way, the way he does it, it makes you want to succeed to make him happy. It's really weird. It's not in a mean spirited way. Like, Oh, stop you, you piece of shit like doesn't like that. It's like, Dude, we got this. I know, we're so close. We've got this. And I know to you, look, we got this like, it just, he's a great coach.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 5:42

That's what it sounds like. It sounds like he's kind of like a, like, I'm a Seahawks fan. So it sounds like he's kind of got that Pete Carroll like cheerleading type, like he's cheering you on?

Unknown: 5:50

Without a doubt. Oh, my God without a doubt. Like, dude, he'd be like, Dude, you might not think you could do this. But I know you can do this. Wow. Like, yeah, I could do this. He's a

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 6:03

fucking genius than because I love this record what he did with it. I mean, he gets some of the credit. But some of it must be the songs that you guys wrote. Did you you wrote that those songs in mind that okay, we're going to try to make an old school type record.

Unknown: 6:16

Yeah, I think that everything started to really come into view, when we were working when we started working with that, because, again, it was a lot of songs written. But they were in a much different shape and form than they are now. And then more songs were written while we were working with Dec. So once he had sort of laid out the groundwork for the path that we're going to go down. The process was really, it was electric man, it was a lot. A lot of fun. Again, like I said, after all this time, just to put your ego aside and really trust in a process. It sounds cliche, but we really just always just kind of lay down our arms and went, Okay, have at it. And we got a room at a studio and crank the amps up, got some quick toads and just started jamming. And he's in there jamming along with us and he's, you know, he plays drums, he plays bass, he plays guitar. He writes. He's so he's extremely well versed. Like, you're not going to get anything past him. You know what I mean? Like you're exactly to get past him. And he is acutely aware of what each guy is playing. It's pretty wild. And so we'd be playing, and he's like, okay, okay, okay, stop. I liked the intro. I liked the first verse. But going into the second verse, the second be verse or whatever, why don't you try doing something like you did at the end of the chorus and monkey business? And you're like lightbulb goes off, you know, you're like, yeah, yeah, I hear that. And so then you tap into that part of you that you haven't tapped into in quite some time. Not by any fault. It's just life. light goes on. And then all of a sudden, everybody starts, well, how about this and then next thing goes, Okay, that's great. And then we do this and then it becomes this. This crazy experience of creativity just be thrown around with each other until we all go yes, that's it. And all of a sudden, it's something new and something different, but it is inherently us. So he he reintroduced Skid Row to Skid Row.

Chuck Shute: 9:12

I love it. I love it. So that's the one thing I didn't get in the promo. I got to listen to the whole thing, but I don't I don't get the songwriting credits, and I think Rachel told me when I had him on before that there was songs written by Lizzy from Halestorm Marty Fredrickson and Corey Taylor did Eve those songs make this record are those on their

Unknown: 9:29

body Frederickson song made the record? The songs that we wrote with Lizzy and Joe and Cory did it but that's not to say that they won't have the next record because they're there. We're, we're done. We're not closing the door on anything. That's why that's one of the thing that this process taught us is you don't close the door and anything. Yeah, you see it through.

Chuck Shute: 10:00

Okay, well so the first single the gang's all here. I mean, that's the thing that blew me away I heard that song and I was like, Oh my God, my jaw dropped because I'm that's the best song I've heard all year, maybe maybe the last 10 years like I'm trying to think of a better saw. I I'm serious, because I'm a die hard, Skid Row fan that like I said, that was the first stuff that got me into rock. So it takes you back to that like, like I said, a bridges. It's like you went back in time and made a song in 1990. And I'm like, that's amazing. And then I'm hearing the rest of the record. And it's all like that. It's all these like songs that right now. That's the gang's all here was that was my first favorite, obviously, but now I'm like, wait, I like this one. No, and it keeps switching on like, Okay, you made a good album. The whole album is good. Bye.

Unknown: 10:41

Thank you so much. Yeah, that's a fun song, man. And you know what? The pandemic affected people in so many different ways. For me, personally, it was really difficult because I had hardly any creativity whatsoever. Really, yeah. All these other people I talked to were like, oh, man, I was going nuts creating. I had done I don't know why. I thought everything that I was coming up with sucked. And I always felt useless. So to get back in a room with with Rachel and then eventually with the band, and start creating again, and all of a sudden those ideas start start popping back. I think that will we will we finish the Gang's All Here it was, inadvertently a response to society being able to once again engage. Really no heavy message, just man it feels good to hang out with you. Yeah, it feels good to be able to socially interact. And it's not not a heavy message or anything like that. Other than, you know, it's great to be able to be in community again with one another.

Chuck Shute: 12:14

Yeah, no. And I love that. I think you raise the standard right now. I think you're friends and Guns and Roses and your friends and motley crew. I think they need to do something maybe they need to get with Nick and make the same kind of record. I'd love to hear like a song like that from GNR that bridged appetite and the illusions records that would be cool.

Unknown: 12:33

Sure would. And you know, like I said, the I can't give enough credit to the delivers cat because we this whole thing was was really, even though we were the ones creating, you know, the music of the songs and stuff like that. It was his guidance. He was He was the captain of the ship. And I I'm so thankful for him coming into our lives. And that, you know, this all started with him. Meeting Rachel in Nashville, through friends. And him going, I want to make a skid row record. Rachel, call me up and go, do you notice guy Nick rascal, it's like, oh, I'm familiar with him. And he's like, yeah, he he wants to do a skid row record. He's probably just being nice. And every time Rachel saw, they run into each other, he goes, Man, I'm serious. I want to do a skid row record. And then we were like, well, all right. Let's work this out. So we we were able to work out all the all the particulars in the logistics with our with our record label and his management and stuff like that. And that that wasn't an issue whatsoever. And then he got on a zoom call with everybody and said, This is what I want to do. And he wouldn't have been able to pull it off. He wasn't so well versed in our history. It just would, it would have been impossible. And but he came in, like it's just such a creative force every day. He'd come in and we would think that maybe we'd be done with something and he goes, I got an idea. Why don't you do something different in this part of the song? Okay, do something different. You're like, Oh, that's good. Let's take it another step further. How far can we take this and that's the kind of process it was, it was It was exhilarating.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 14:40

Ya know, it's really quite, I've noticed one of the themes with it. You know, you have like the song Not Dead Yet like that lyric, don't throw dirt on an open casket, and then also the resurrected no one can bring us down or what does it pull or push us underground? We're back where we should be resurrect. There's, there's that kind of theme of like, you know, like people might have counted Skid Row out They're done. And now it's like you're saying, No, we're not done and when and I and it makes sense, because that's kind of how that album plays out.

Unknown: 15:07

That's exactly how Yeah, that's exactly it. I mean, those, those songs were written from a very vulnerable and sensitive place for sure. Because, look, we're, we're very much in tune with what goes on around us. And one of the things that this band has always thrived in is the role of the underdog. We've always seemed to really, throughout our history, where we've been counted out, we haven't really been out. We've we've been able to, to not only stay alive, but thrive. I mean, we've, we've toured underneath the radar for the past 20 years, doing 100 shows a year, you know, like all around the world. So it's, whenever people have counted us out, we're like, no, there's still people out there who want to hear this state God. And it's the most humbling thing in the world. Because after all this time, we still get to play music for a living and create new music and, and so we're really, really acutely aware of how lucky we are. How fortunate we are to still be around and does still get to do this.

Chuck Shute: 16:33

Yeah, no, I love it. It's really cool. Now the song October song, I think that's the only kind of slower kind of bow there's a lot of like just straight ahead rockers. And a lot of the songs just have kind of the simple lyrics that I love personally, like when the lights come on. I mean, that a lot of these aren't like super complex, but October song that one's a little bit. It's still heavy, it's dark. It kind of has a Metallica fade to black, or a little bit of darkened room.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 16:59

Why? Oh, breaking down, maybe.

Unknown: 17:01

Thank you. Great.

Chuck Shute: 17:03

What's the story with that one?

Unknown: 17:05

That was a riff that I have been playing for? Well over 10 years easily. That was a practice riff it was a riff that I used to warm up with an acoustic guitar. And Scotty Rachel always be like, You got to do something with that dude, and nothing ever came to mind. It just I was always stuck with that thing revolving. And so one day, I was we're at Rachel's house in Nashville, and we were writing. And one morning I woke up and picked up the acoustic guitar and started playing that riff upstairs. He was downstairs, he heard it. And later on that afternoon, we would to go into the studio to start writing. And I'm like, What do you feel like work on he goes, That damn riff that you've been playing for the last 15 years that you please. Like really? And so we started working on it. The music started coming into the fold as we were working on it and we're fooling around with some melodies that we came up with some melodies and they were like what is this song make you feel like and in I guess in a simplest way, it's sort of about the cycle of life if you will of loss and rebirth dealing with the dealing with loss in life but also accepting that there is a new day that arises so while we have to deal with certain losses in our life there is always a new day in front of us that with it will bring rebirth

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 19:05

okay yeah cuz I think that lyric I don't know if I wrote this down or something about how do we get down the mountain we climb day by day? What do we do when the light fades away? Right. That's pretty cool stuff. Thanks. Yeah, World on.

Unknown: 19:19

The end of it really is delight is day, day by day we'll get by. And that's just like, that's the cycle of life, man. Like we will get through it that with us. Even if Assad seems to be really dark. There's always something positive with it. There's always like, day by day we'll get by that's that's not saying that case. No matter what happens. We're still gonna get we're gonna get through this. We're gonna we're gonna make it through to the next event of our life.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 19:58

Yeah, no, I love it. So great. album. Now the new songs I think I heard you say you're only gonna do two live because I feel like there's at least three that you could you could do live Do you think? Would you guys do more like a club tour where you'd more do a deeper set? Because I know a lot of the shows that you're doing with multiple bands, you know, you only get like an hour. Yeah, we've

Unknown: 20:18

been playing. We've been playing the gang's all here and tear it down in the live show. And we're gonna start playing Thai bomb as well. That's a good one. Yeah. So we just released a video for that as the yesterday. or the day before yesterday? Yes. What does

Chuck Shute: 20:38

that one about? It says like, because it's like, I'm a ticking time bomb, like, is that about somebody in particular?

Unknown: 20:43

No, no, no, no, no, no, not anybody in particular. It's just I think it's kind of has to deal with sort of the, the climate that we're in now and how everybody is just so on edge. And so everything feels tenuous. Like there's there's a lot of division. And I think everybody's stress levels are, you know, ultra high. So I think it might be a response to, or reflection of what the those emotions dictate.

Chuck Shute: 21:24

Is that similar to world on fire? And that's kind of like, I feel like I had kind of a little bit of a riot act vibe to it.

Unknown: 21:30

Yeah, totally. Totally. Yeah. Again, it's a case of, you know, these last few years have or have been unprecedented. And, you know, everybody everybody has, has been affected by it on all levels. And, again, I think it's, it's a case of, if you just sit by and watch the world crumble in front of you, you're complicit. It's more about the small things of making, where we live, and who we live with better, and it just speak kinder to people bad, you know, be decent.

Chuck Shute: 22:24

Well, yeah, it's interesting, because, you know, you played the obviously you guys did the Moscow Peace Festival. I've heard you talk about that, like, you guys went over there. You were, you know, when the 80s That was a big thing was like, oh, Russians are the enemy. And then you went over there, and you're like, Oh, these guys aren't so bad. And now it's kind of like back to that, like, you know, Russians are bad kind of thing. But your theory and not all thing is that most people are very more similar. And that's what music does is bring us all together. And, and unfortunately, we need that right now in America, not necessarily with Russia, but there's more hate towards each other than there is to Russia,

Unknown: 22:54

more so than I've ever experienced in my you know, my whole time on Earth. I've never felt anything like this. And, you know, I've got 216 year old children. And, you know, the questions that they ask, in the midst of this last eight years, they've been, you know, they're aware of how seismic the shift in the overall treatment of each other has changed. We've gotten from being kind people to being malicious people, to being judgmental, that I don't want to be on a soapbox is I'm not a political person at all. I'm just speaking on a human level. How we are towards each other? You know it. I've always attempted to live my life as a kind person. I mean, I'm a sarcastic prick. And yeah, like that. But as far as on a human level, we all are guys in the band, we're just kind people, we're kind to each other. And we always attempt to live in a space of positivity. And I think when you do that, and you exude that, that it's infectious. But we just find ourselves in a really, there's a lot of hate, more hate that I I've seen in my entire life. And, you know, I don't want I don't, I don't want to be in a world like that. And so the only way that I know that I can maybe make a difference to that is just exhibiting kindness.

Chuck Shute: 24:47

I love it. Yeah. Well, I think the other thing that I I noticed that you've talked about a lot is gratitude. I think and especially as the band grows, or you know, as a band gets older and you're, you know, you're so great. For that, you still have fans, you still have a following. And you're very grateful for that. And that's, that's, I feel like the key to happiness for a lot of people that a lot of people don't exhibit and I think your shirt leading by example with that,

Unknown: 25:11

I appreciate that that's the way we all feel. I mean, we were, you know, Rachel and Scotty and I were all raised very, very similar households. Bigger families, you know, I've got four older brothers, Rachel's got three older siblings, Scott, he's got three older siblings, we're all the youngest. We all were raised with tons of music being played in our household, and we're all lower middle class, but are we had, we had a great upbringing. And we were taught humility, and we're taught gratitude. That we're taught kindness, and we were, where we became successful. Because of the way we were taught, we didn't look at success. As a birthright, we looked at it as a blessing as a gift. And so in treating it that way, when things started to not be so successful anymore, it wasn't crushing. It wasn't, it wasn't something that that, you know, maybe jump off the bridge, because I was just thankful for what we had. And I didn't think that I was deserving of it or anything like that. Yeah, we worked really hard, and we continue to work hard. That's part of being able to do this and maintaining it, you got to work hard. No one's allergic to that in this bed. But I think that, you know, we just, we were steeped in reality that, you know, peaks and valleys are going to occur. And then they will reveal your true character. And when your character is revealed, that's what sets the tone for how you will move forward. And, and so for, you know, for the three of us, we all we still remain friends, when things were falling apart, we still had great amount of love for one another. And that enabled us to continue on. And we've had several different changes in the band. And because the reason why that's happening because we made a vow that we wouldn't do this, if it wasn't fun anymore. We never did it for the check for the paycheck, trust me, because we've been offered numerous large paychecks. And we never did it. We've done everything on our own terms. And we we did the whole idea was you want to love the music that you play and love the people that you play it with. And so we would do that until that did wasn't working anymore, then we would make the necessary changes to make it that way.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 28:25

Yeah, no well, so tell me about like those olden days the old days when you guys first started out I love her and these stories like Rachel told me a little bit he said that when he met you it was like you were both on a collision course course was success like to talk about those days like playing in the garage and the propane heaters when it was called darkness. And like the first song was telephone and tell the story about like the first gig where it was like this old Mexican restaurant. There's only six people like I love these stories, like the fact that you guys kept going. It's so inspiring.

Unknown: 28:55

Well, it was it was exciting to get it in the garage with a propane heater and make music that was exciting because you have this dream and this vision that you're sharing with other people like other like minded people who are willing to go through the trenches with you. They're willing to eat two division macaroni and cheese every day. Yeah, you're willing to be broke, you're willing to work shit jobs, to be able to to be able to be in a in a garage till you know midnight and then go in another room and write songs so far in the morning, and then wake up and go to your day job. And they get done with your day job and go back to the garage. It's a lot of work, but it's work that you love because you're building something from nothing. Like how does A kid from Sayreville, New Jersey, make his way down to Toms River, New Jersey to work in a music store an hour and a half from his house. Well, the only reason that happens is because I'm supposed to meet Rachel Boland. That's the only reason why that happens. That serendipity is the only reason why it occurs. Because why else? There is no other reason. That's what was supposed to happen. Like, why did I take a job? Where there's 1000 music stores? Why did I take that job? That was I had to take two buses to get there. So I have no driver's license. How to how does that happen? Yeah, yes. Doesn't like that.

Chuck Shute: 30:49

And then the other piece of the puzzle is that you live down the street from Jon Bon Jovi. And this part of the story. I mean, people know the story that you guys were friends and stuff. But this kind of made me think because when I kept hearing you talk about gratitude, you know, I didn't realize you were actually in Bon Jovi for like a week or something, and then it didn't work out. But and then you obviously must have seen his success. And you were not at that level yet. And you you weren't bitter. You weren't mad at him. And you didn't say like, screw you for kicking me out of the band. You You deserted me, you kept in contact, you kept that relationship, you were just grateful that he was still your friend. And then later he brings you guys on to let you open up and stuff. So you didn't cut that tie. I feel like that's like a huge lesson in life right there that you weren't mad at him?

Unknown: 31:35

Well, because I was never. Here's the thing that a lot of the people realize. We did like seven shows together. And it was seven or eight shows. It was never like you're you're a guitar player. And we're we're I mean, we're. He's like my big brother. You know, it wasn't like we were Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. I was not his Keith Richards and I knew that there was never any promise of anything. It was literally he won a local homegrown radio contest for the soul runaway. It was they had a contest, they put out an album The station was W AP One Oh 4.3 in New York at the time. And he he recorded runaway at the studio that he was working out with a bunch of session musicians and a bunch of local bands with his sister, bunch of other bands sent their songs. And his song won the contest. So in order, part of the deal was you win the contest, they put your Sony rotation, and you have to go out and perform some shows for the station. And he didn't have a band together. So he said, Can you help me put a band together and we can no problem. And he knew David Brian from a band that he was in in high school with David. And I knew Alec because Ali played in a band in the clubs that I used to go see all the time we became friends, we have mutual friends. And so I got Alec in the bed, and then allocate new Tico Tico played in Frankie lockouts. So like, in the space of a couple of weeks, we had a band together. But there was no never anything. We're like, rah, rah, rah, we're going to the top or it was never anything like that. It was like let's go out and have some fun. And my path was like my influences and whatnot were decidedly different than the John's I mean, we had common ground with Aerosmith and AC DC and stuff like that. But whereas he would go down, like the Springsteen path or the Southside Johnny path, that sort of sturdy shore type of vibe, I was leading towards Iron Maiden, the Judas Priest, right. And so you know, I had to Richie as well. Alekan Richie were really good friends. And Richie. Richie was someone that I absolutely looked up to as as a guitar player, and he always was just, he was my buddy. And Alec introduced Richie to John. And it made perfect sense like that was obviously

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 34:32

true. Did you just quit Bon Jovi then or were you telling her?

Unknown: 34:35

No, it was it was it was really interesting. I remember John had said to me goes I think I'm gonna have Richie in the band. And I was just like, awesome. That makes sense like that. Because that's

Chuck Shute: 34:51

just before he had made it anyway, so you didn't know like, this isn't slippery when wet and you're getting kicked out like you did. You guys are different musical styles. But you didn't get better later when when Bon Jovi took off and then you weren't mad at him or

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 35:05

anything like that. Oh,

Unknown: 35:06

no, no, no, God. No. It was always about look, he always said, if I make it and you have a great band together, I will help him do everything I can to help you. That's cool. He did not read any of that at all.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 35:23

Yeah, cuz he had you open in arenas before you guys were even signed when you had Matt Fallon's as singer. Right? That's right. He did. It solo marathon. It's funny. I can find the demos on YouTube. He wasn't terrible. Like, yeah, I always wondered what he sounded like it was kind of like a Steven Piercey kind of sound. I felt like,

Unknown: 35:41

you know what it was? And this is this is that I'm not talking down about the guy or anything. He's saying pretty well. He just didn't have that star quality on the stage. That was what it was. He just didn't have that. And it especially around that time, he really needed to have a rock star for your band. Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 36:12

Now that makes sense. Because yeah, he also does this thing with anthrax. So he had chops, but it just didn't. didn't have that. Is it true that on those demos is Tico Torres played the drums because your drummer was in jail or something?

Unknown: 36:24

Well, that the first we did a three song demo that Tico played on Yes. And right. Our drummer was in jail because he stabbed somebody the night before this. John, John was helping us out with a demo. So we're recording down to Philadelphia. And so John called Tico up and Tico drove down from New York City to Philly. had cut the tracks in like two hours maybe he was in

Chuck Shute: 36:55

okay. And then it's ironic though that because it wasn't Rob he had tried out for Bon Jovi. He was like he didn't make it and then he joined your band. I

Unknown: 37:03

was like, oh, exactly. Because Dave Bryan had suggested Rob he's like yeah, this guy who I've become friends with he auditioned for us Why don't you give him a shot that we did? He joined the band

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 37:19

and you're still friends with him he he just he doesn't want to be in Skid Row right it's kind of you or did you invite him he was in ozone Monday when you guys were it was on

Unknown: 37:29

Monday and he kind of just encourages fell apart and so we started up Skid Row again African exactly what the guest me adjust I guess it was too much distance between us at that point. I can't even really recall what the what the issue was. But I mean, Rob is a great guy and a great guy and a great drummer and it just at that particular time when we're Rachel Scott and I decided that we wanted to do Skid Row again we we didn't it was I don't even think it was a consideration for whatever reason I'm not quite sure what that reason was.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 38:14

Okay, so back when you before he got signed I didn't understand this part you because I didn't even know this for a brief time. You're actually signed to Geffen for like a day now but they wanted you to be more like the Bon Jovi stuff and you guys were like no, we're more like a Guns and Roses but they had guns and roses on their label. So why couldn't they see that for you guys?

Unknown: 38:33

Oh, no, I think that because we were being helped out by the guys in mud Jovi that maybe they wanted that Bon Jovi Jr. thing. We were definitely not that and and the the thing that was the thing that was the big deciding factor was we we showcase for that well, we played 19 songs, and they thought all we had was two decent songs. And only one of those songs made it to the record that they chose.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 39:11

What was the other one they liked? That didn't so called forever? Okay, that later made the 40 seasons or whatever. Yeah,

Unknown: 39:19

exactly. Yeah. And so yeah, we we got the word that they had, they cited the bad and it was really deflating. It felt so wrong that we were just said it was everything you think that you want that moment to be like when you hear like you got the record deal laid out and celebrate corks popping, you know, fireworks? It was anything but that And then we call doc back about a half an hour later. And we're like this. We can't be on GAFA bed. Why about we it's there in LA label. It didn't even feel like they liked us. It feels like they're doing you a favor. Because your relationship, their long standing relationship with them and and Atlantic has been an every show that we played in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania area. Have an urge to get and Doug Morris and Jason Flom as Dorothy says Ignacio took a damn helicopter to see us in Bethlehem at a skating rink, for God's sakes. That's where we want to be. You know, that's what we told doc. All right, so that goes let me see what I could do. So he was in LA and he gets on the phone with it. And I'm it goes, What do I have to do to get the bed? And Doc's like, Well, David had David Geffen has it already about us? Don't worry about David, I'll take care of David. What are we at? What do I have to do to get the band and Doc gave him you know, the lowdown of what he used to do. It was the miracle of Doc Biggie, being able to pull it off. And next thing you know, you get a phone call saying congrats. You're on Atlantic Records. And we're like, Yeah,

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 41:32

that's awesome. Yeah, so with producers, I mean, it's hard to imagine a different producer because Michael Wagner I love his work on those first two records and and other work that he's done, too. But you actually at one point you met with Max Norman and what other producers did you talk to that some of them turned you down, which is crazy to think but

Unknown: 41:50

backstory we met with it, he was great. He was I mean, I was enamored with him from because of the blizzard of Ozz records. And just you know, Randy Rhoads is a huge hero of mine. And so I was, I think I was more interested in picking his brain about the sections. But he was a great guy, really great guy. We met with a guy by the name of Rick browdy. I'm sure I'm believing some people a little Steven. Be interesting. Yeah. I love him. Love, love, love him. I forget who else but once we met with my goal, it just was a no brainer. It was it was just obvious. That was the guy. He got it. He knew how to corral all these, you know, these young men full of piss and vinegar who were children really. And he just he had, he had a clear idea as well. And it's great to be able to work with people who really have a clear vision that not only matches what what you foresee happening, but surpasses that.

Chuck Shute: 43:17

Okay, yeah, so obviously, the first record did very well. You had written that, obviously most of it even before Sebastian joined. So with the second record, when was that? Was that written on the road? Or did you guys like come off the road and sit down and write because I heard something like quicksand. Jesus took three or four months to write

Unknown: 43:34

easily. Yeah, at least. We had. We don't write really well on the road. For whatever reason, Rachel. We don't we come up with ideas, you know, soundcheck ideas and ideas that address your May we'll put those on you know, used to be a Dictaphone that you put up on your iPhone. And then you go back and you grab those ideas that he gets a room and start filtering them out and see what is appealing to either of us and so we got whole weird tour of that first record for 16 1718 months of that first record. We had got out with by Jovi and we got to have a motley crew. We did some headlights off and then we went out with Aerosmith and by the time we were done, we were we were asked to go out and do another leg with Aerosmith. We had it was crazy. We haven't heard of down the idea of me even say that we had to turn Aerosmith down is unbelievable. Because you're the greatest guys in the world, one of my top five favorite bands. And but we needed we knew that we needed to we need to start working on another record. Like we had been touring this record for so long. It was They'll sell a great. But we felt that if we didn't start working on another record soon, it was going to be a while before we had one out. And so we took about a month off, and then we got back to work started. Started working. At Rachel's house, my house, we were jamming in Rob's basement at his house. You know, things have changed, too, you know, like all of a sudden everybody had houses now.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 45:32

You're not doing the garage with the propane heaters anymore?

Unknown: 45:35

No, we were doing Rob's basement with the propane heater. Slightly better. Yeah. Yeah, it was it was it was in the space of two years, things had changed drastically for everybody. Wow. So that was wrapping your head around. That was difficult as well, because you know, now you don't have to worry about being able to afford macaroni and cheese, tuna fish, you know, now you can have as much as you want. You know, it's like, you don't have to bump cigarettes anymore. You could actually go by cart and things like that is

Chuck Shute: 46:17

so then how do you get this anger from that wreck? Because the record is so like angry and like aggressive. I mean, it's not like you're not a it's not a happy record. Really? I mean, so how did you get inspired? Like the song Get the fuck out? I always wondered what what inspired that's gotta be a cool story behind that one.

Unknown: 46:33

Oh, that has to do with some guys on our road crew. And they're terrible, terrible antics on there. That was that was so it was written in like, we actually we Rachel I finished writing that song of the airplane flight to Australia. In it, lady. Okay, so

Chuck Shute: 46:55

what that was one of the few one that that was written on the road.

Unknown: 46:58

Yeah, because we had gotten together when we are home on a break. And we had written probably about half of it. And we basically, basically got drunk on the flight and finish it all the way over there. Okay, well, you might even have played it there, too. If I'm not mistaken. We might have played it in Australia.

Chuck Shute: 47:17

I know that I think he played it at Wembley, and then you got banned from but then you played it? Didn't you came back like a year later? They obviously forgot or whatever.

Unknown: 47:24

Yeah, yeah. full of crap.

Chuck Shute: 47:27

That stupid stuff. What about the threat? What inspired that song that's like, that's one of my favorites.

Unknown: 47:32

We always felt that we always felt like the underdogs, we will always felt like we're in a position of being an underdog. And whether it was oh, they they only made it because of the bio Jovi's or this or that, or it was always felt like we were being demeaned to some level, for the hard work that we put in, kind of wasn't recognized. And so, and also, singularly growing up and looking different, like, you know, these days, we have long hair and no one cares. You know, we're back in, in the early 80s, you show up with hair down to your ass and you're, you know, you're a problem child, you're, you know, a threat. And so having, being unjustly judged, played a big part of people, the way people perceive us, as individuals growing up without a deal, you know, judging a book by its cover type of thing.

Chuck Shute: 48:58

Okay, that makes sense.

Unknown: 49:00

And it's about nonconformity. That sort of way of thinking is is just, you know, that be the same thing as is slave to the grind not be in a on an assembly line of life, you know, forging your own path and, and not being chained to what the norm is.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 49:34

Oh, that makes sense. Is the song wasted time is that one about Steven Adler's drug use? Is that true? I read that

Unknown: 49:40

that was what inspired it. That was what when Sebastian I first started working on it, that was kind of that was what inspired it for sure.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 49:50

Okay. And then when you guys I know you're not you guys aren't as big a fan of the sub human race record. I really liked that one, but I like

Unknown: 49:57

interest. You like it? Yeah, I do. Okay, yeah, cuz

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 50:01

i i noticed today I don't know if I ever knew this that the song breaking down. It's I don't know if that's correct. But on Wikipedia it says that you wrote that one all by yourself. Is that true? Because that's kind of unusual usually right? At least with Rachel,

Unknown: 50:12

if not more members. Yeah, yeah, that's true. Why is that? Yeah. Why

Chuck Shute: 50:16

was that one written all by yourself? Like,

Unknown: 50:20

be honest with you, I, I was sitting in a room of my house. And let me let me that record. I liked the record the process of that record, I can't stand it, it was it was a very difficult record to make. And Rachel had said this, and I agree with him, because I felt the same way. That record is the sound of a band falling apart. And that's when we were we were falling apart. Yeah. And so I was sitting alone in my house, and I was watching a movie, and couldn't even tell you what the name of the movie was. But it was something dramatic was happening, this big, long, dramatic seed. And I thought the music was it was wrong for the seed. So I started playing something that I thought would be better for that particular seed, just like a chord progression. And I really liked the chord progression. I was like, Okay, well, let me run with this shut off the TV. started scribbling some lyrics, some melodies game, let it sit for a little while didn't really do anything with it. I had it all kind of mapped out with the exception of the solo section. Had some lyrics read. We're in the studio working with Bob Rock. And Bob goes, you guys got anything else? I go, Well, I've got this. And he's like, Oh, that's pretty interesting. Let's run with this. And so we did. And I had one line to write. I mean, there's not very many lyrics to it. But I wrote one line for one more line was needed. And it was just kind of a play on the rest of it, and very simple song. And we cut it live off the floor, with the exception of the vocals. And Bob had come up with the idea of taking the chord progression and turning it around a little bit through the solo section. So it's the same chords that are in the chorus, except it's starting of the second chord of the chorus, as opposed to the first chord.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 52:56

Okay, yeah, that's what I like. That's how I like that. Ha. But that makes sense that and I think also, just that time period, where they I think Bob wrote, really tried to change the sound of interesting to hear what Michael Wagner would have done with those songs.

Unknown: 53:09

I think about that sometimes, too. I do think about that. You know, there there's obviously it would have been different for sure. It had Michael had done it. But you know, at that time, we felt it was the right thing to do. You know, he had had such great success earlier with Bon Jovi, you know, working with Bruce and Fairburn, and then with Motley Crue and Metallica, and it just felt like this is maybe this will be the thing that could save the band, if you will.

Chuck Shute: 53:54

Sure. For sure. Yeah. Well, you guys the other thing that I really loved about the band as a kid was watching the home videos. Oh, say can you stream or scream roadkill? Is there any? Would there be a future home video? Or is that just like out of style now? Because I know I've seen some funny short things like Rachel on the baggage claim. Those are hilarious. I love them.

Unknown: 54:14

Yeah, it's a great bit. I love it.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 54:17

I'm surprised the security doesn't come like get mad at him for that. But it's layered.

Unknown: 54:21

We work it out where we make sure security isn't anywhere near so

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 54:26

Oh, I thought you're gonna say you make you make it okay with them. You just make sure they're not.

Chuck Shute: 54:32

Yeah, so would there be some sort of home video? Is that even a thing anymore?

Unknown: 54:36

You know what? I think it's I it's a thing, but it's a thing kind of like it would be just a compilation of bits, you know, because it's sure via me, because there's, there's a lot of a lot of comedy in this band. Yes. And that's one of the great things about be in this band is is the is the the YouTuber that we all have with each other. And we're all really, really sarcastic. But most of us are pretty clever as well. Yes, and I that's one of the great things I've always loved about being this man is that we laugh a lot. We laugh at awful lot.

Chuck Shute: 55:26

Well, it just seemed like as a kid. I think that's what kind of obviously the music was the first thing because I didn't even think I saw a picture you the first time I heard the band, but then, and then I saw the logo. And then I saw the band look. And then I saw the home videos. And it was like everything just looked like a fun band that was having a good time playing rock and roll, and an aggressive and just Yeah, the whole thing. Like, that's what made me a fan. And I think that's something you guys obviously embrace. Still. That's why I love the new record so much, because it just ties that all back together.

Unknown: 55:54

Well, I appreciate you say that. Thanks. It feels that way too. There. There is a there's a palpable, palpable, palatable excitement that runs throughout the record. And it's because big was able to capture that in our performances. Like for example, when Scotty and I were cutting rhythm guitars, we cut them in the same room. He and I facing each other. We had never done anything like that before. It seems like obvious thing, but we'd never done that before. And it was so much fun, because there was this energy that was going back and forth. And we're sweating. And we're banging it. And it's like there's just this thing that occurs that you can't you can't put your finger on it other than there's this connection that's happening between two people that create something that wouldn't have existed if we weren't in that same room together. Like, that's interesting. Yeah. There's just like, the way we play when we're facing each other is different than when we're by ourselves. We're more conscious of the other person, and we're feeding off their energy and vice versa. And so you're creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Chuck Shute: 57:39

Absolutely. I love it. Now is there I heard you say something about an Atlantic Records box set?

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 57:44

Is there any updates on that? And would that include any unreleased or demo tracks from those records or the covers EP?

Unknown: 57:51

It has the it has all the stuff that we did with Atlantic and it's got a live record that we did in Japan, the sub human race tour,

Chuck Shute: 58:02

but no demos or anything like that. Yeah. Okay, probably some that stuff's already. Like I said, I've heard stuff on YouTube, though. But yeah,

Unknown: 58:08

it's pretty easily accessible.

Chuck Shute: 58:11

Okay, well, you're friends with Eddie trunk. I know he does like that stump the trunk that he knows so much about rock and stuff. I feel like I know a lot about you guys, though, is can you stump me? Is there a piece of trivia that you want to quiz me on that most people might not know about the band? And if and if I don't know that I want to learn this. I know John karate almost auditioned for you guys. I know Jason McMaster came close. What else? There's so many cool things like that. I love stories like that. Like I think that stuff is so neat. Obviously, everyone knows the, the Bon Jovi stuff and how you got your nickname for the that's hilarious,

Unknown: 58:45

you know, juicy Pearl audition for us as well.

Chuck Shute: 58:48

No, I didn't know that. I've had him on my show twice.

Unknown: 58:51

Yeah. We flew into New Jersey. He stayed at my house for a couple of days. wonderful person. Really talented guy. When was that? That was around 1999. Okay, right. So right before the kiss tour,

Chuck Shute: 59:09

before Johnny joined?

Unknown: 59:11

Yes. Okay. Right before he joined.

Chuck Shute: 59:14

Okay. So just was he close to the because that would have been an interesting to hear him.

Unknown: 59:20

It didn't work. It didn't work. So there's one for you. Okay. That's a fun one. I can't think of anything off the top my head that have any significance? Did you know that we sang background vocals on the Dr. Feelgood album?

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 59:46

Yes, time for change. Yeah.

Unknown: 59:49

Yeah. And on ace really record to trouble walking? Yep.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 59:53

Yep. I bought that records for that reason.

Chuck Shute: 59:57

Oh, shit. I have a question. How can I get one of those jackets that you guys were in the gang's all here? I looked on the website. I was like I wanted these jackets. Oh, is this only for the band? Are these specially made

Unknown: 1:00:13

right now? The we're going to be selling those patches.

Chuck Shute: 1:00:20

Oh, really? The patch. So you could put it on your jacket and then dagli Very cool. Well, I love the new record. Like I said, I think I'm excited to I haven't heard Eric live. I know you guys are in Tucson. I missed that show. I regret regret missing that. But uh, hopefully you'll come back and maybe in Phoenix or something I saw you with XEP the last time you're here in Phoenix. And that was a fun show. Because it was like warrant and Winger. And it's a great package.

Unknown: 1:00:43

Right? It is a lot of fun, man. And those guys are great. You know, it's so weird talking Rachel out we're talking about this the other after the last show. It's so easy touring with people that you like that that you get along with that are just they're happy to be there. They want to go out and put on a great show for the fans. And and, you know, there's no one who's miserable. It's just so it makes life so great.

Dave "The Snake" Sabo: 1:01:10

Yeah, makes it easier to team up with the other bands to write.

Unknown: 1:01:14

Yeah, I mean, it's just it's there's no egos Everybody's cool. You know, everybody gives everybody their space and is respectful of one another and is everyone has been doing it for so long. Who wants to who wants to play? You know, childish bullshit, you know? Exactly.

Chuck Shute: 1:01:30

Well, thank you so much for doing this. I know you gotta get going. I always end each episode promoting a charity. Is there? Is there one that you want to just have people donate to after they buy the new record? Of course,

Unknown: 1:01:40

yes, there's a there's an organization called Nabil, which is the actual advisory on mental illness. And it's an amazing organization that is dedicated to helping anyone who is suffering from any sort of mental illness or mental disability whatsoever. It's the premise is to remove the stigma that's attached to mental illness, and to create an environment for mental wellness.

Chuck Shute: 1:02:18

I love the app promoted a mental that specific one another mental illness charities as well. So I love I'm a huge advocate for that. So I'll put that in the notes along with your website, and then people could check that for show dates. Is there. Is there any there shows that there must be shows on the books that

Unknown: 1:02:36

were just solidified? We're starting to work on next year's dates right now.

Chuck Shute: 1:02:41

Okay. Yeah, I'd be cool to see like just a solo Skid Row. Because you guys could do a longer set especially now with Eric. He's He's younger. He can I mean, that's a tough material. But he could probably do

Unknown: 1:02:52

like two hours, easily. And kids a machine.

Chuck Shute: 1:02:55

Yeah. I love how he's got like a growth mindset after the first show. He texts. He's like, hey, what can I improve on? Like, oh, that's like, that's the kid you want on your team? I love

Unknown: 1:03:03

him. Yeah, for sure. That's pretty cool. That's who he is.

Chuck Shute: 1:03:07

Amazing. Well, thank you so much. This is like a 13 year old me can see me now. It's, I mean, it's still amazing. But geez, if I go back in time and show him this.

Unknown: 1:03:16

Thank you so much, buddy. I really appreciate it, man.

Chuck Shute: 1:03:19

All right. I'll see you on tour. Thanks, buddy. Be well, you too. Bye. Bye, snake. CEVO. Still crazy to say it out loud. amazing to see him on my podcast. I grew up a huge fan. My thanks to snake and his PR team for setting this up. Get the new record the gang's all here. Listen on streaming, whatever you do. If you're a skid row fan and a fan of the old stuff, I think you're gonna love it. So check out the website in the show notes for tour dates. And make sure to follow the band on social media. Of course, I'd love for you to follow me on social media as well and subscribe to the show wherever you listen if you haven't yet already done that. Your likes comments and shares really helped me out a lot. And of course it helps our guests too since more people will see the episode and these interviews are mainly about promoting the guests and their brands. So thank you so much for listening and have a great rest of your day and remember to shoot for the moon