What a long strange ride it’s been for Skid Row! While the band will always be remembered for their classic heyday with frontman Sebastian Bach, the group has kept going with several vocalists and sounds, in varying incarnations. With HEAT frontman Erik Gronwall, the band released their best studio album since 1991, THE GANG’S ALL HERE, loudly and proudly proclaiming the return of the Skids. Unfortunately, the band parted ways with Gronwall largely due to his medical issues, leaving them without a frontman once again…
…and then, the band made a strange but appealing announcement. Despite splitting with Gronwall, they’d be releasing a live album that was recorded with him at the helm! Losing Gronwall was definitely not an appealing situation, especially not to this fan who loved the guy, but to be able to actually get a live chronicle of his time with the band would be a godsend. Even former vocalist Johnny Solinger (RIP), who was in the band for over 15 years, didn’t get a live album!
So, how does LIVE IN LONDON fare? Despite fairly flat sounding production, the concert itself is a high-energy affair and this incarnation of the band, featuring Gronwall on vocals, Rob Hammersmith on drums, and classic members Dave “Snake” Sabo, Rachel Bolan, and Scotti Hill, fires on all cylinders. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the setlist consists of tracks from the band’s 1989 self-titled debut as well as their classic 1991 sophomore effort, SLAVE TO THE GRIND. A handful of tracks from the Gronwall-fronted album THE GANG’S ALL HERE are performed as well, which blend seamlessly with the classic Bach-era material. This lineup of the band had a great chemistry, and it’s captured beautifully on this disc. One listen truly makes you wonder what could’ve been if medical issues hadn’t kept Gronwall from staying on with the band full-time; this guy’s a powerhouse! It’s a nice assortment of cuts, though “Wasted Time” and “Sweet Little Sister” are sorely missed. Fortunately, a Ramones cover, “Psycho Therapy,” more than makes up for their absence. Mr. Gronwall drops a few too many F-bombs between songs, which gets old fast, but fortunately that’s one of very few detractors in the experience. Overall, it’s a great live release.
Fans of Skid Row should definitely add this one to their collection. I know there’s that “No Sebastian, No Skid Row” crowd out there, but I truly think even the most jaded of Bas loyalists will like what they hear here; Mr. Gronwall is sorely missed as frontman. Minor issues with the production and the mass of F-bombs between songs aside, I can still strongly recommend this one.