1) Skid Row is an A… Read Full Bio ↴More than one artist using the Skid Row moniker:
1) Skid Row is an American heavy metal/glam metal band, formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey.
2) Skid Row were an Irish blues rock band of the 60s/70s, based in Dublin and was the first band in which future Thin Lizzy members Phil Lynott and Gary Moore played professionally.
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1) - Skid Row is an American heavy metal/glam metal band, formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. The group was commercially successful in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with its first two albums Skid Row and Slave to the Grind certified multi-platinum, the latter of which reached number one on the Billboard 200. The band's third album Subhuman Race was also critically acclaimed, but failed to repeat the success of its predecessors. During this period, the band consisted of bassist Rachel Bolan, guitarists Dave Sabo and Scotti Hill, drummer Rob Affuso, and frontman Sebastian Bach. The band sold 20 million albums worldwide by the end of 1996.
After replacing Bach with Johnny Solinger and Affuso with Phil Varone in 1999, Skid Row released Thickskin and Revolutions per Minute, which garnered mixed to negative reception. In 2015, Skid Row announced the band and Solinger have parted ways. The same day, Bolan and Sabo stated that Tony Harnell, formerly of TNT, was their new vocalist. Eight months later, however, Harnell left the band. In 2017, ZP Theart was named the official lead singer after spending a year as a touring member of the group.
Early years (1986–1988)
Skid Row was formed early 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey, by bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave Sabo. The pair recruited guitarist Scotti Hill and drummer Rob Affuso through newspaper ads. Lead vocalist Sebastian Bach replaced original singer Matt Fallon (Fallon) after the band spotted Bach singing at rock photographer Mark Weiss's wedding at the age of 18, and the members asked him to join in early 1987. The band began playing shows in clubs throughout the eastern United States.
Sabo and John Bongiovi were teenage friends and Sabo was briefly a member of Bon Jovi before being replaced by guitarist Richie Sambora. Sabo and Bongiovi agreed that if one of them made it in the music business, he would help the other out. Bon Jovi's manager Doc McGhee sought out Skid Row, and secured the band a record deal with Atlantic Records in 1988. Skid Row recorded its debut at the Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with producer Michael Wagener. Before releasing the album, the management have paid a reported $35,000 to guitarist Gary Moore for the rights to the name of his namesake band.
Skid Row (1989–1990)
Skid Row, released in January 1989, was an instant success. The record went 5× platinum on the strength of the Top 10 singles "18 and Life" and "I Remember You". Skid Row was an opening act on Bon Jovi's 1988–1989 The Jersey Syndicate tour, who was promoting its New Jersey album. As part of the six-month tour, Skid Row played its first ever UK gig supporting Bon Jovi's outdoor show at Milton Keynes Bowl on August 19, 1989. The next day, Skid Row played a successful club show at London's Marquee Club in Charing Cross Road. Skid Row also took part in the Moscow Music Peace Festival, which was set up to keep McGhee out of jail. McGhee was facing drug trafficking charges, and therefore set up an anti-drug/peace concert in Russia, featuring a few of the artists that he and his brother managed.
Skid Row returned to the UK three months later opening on Mötley Crüe's European Dr. Feelgood Tour in early November 1989 with White Lion. That was followed by a UK headlining tour culminating in a show at London's Hammersmith Odeon, with Vain supporting. In what is referred to as "The Bottle Incident" by fans of the band, Bach was hit onstage with a bottle thrown from the crowd at a concert in Springfield, Massachusetts, where Skid Row was opening for Aerosmith on December 27, 1989. Bach threw the bottle back, hitting a girl (not the thrower), so he jumped on the crowd to beat the person who can be seen on a tour video released by Skid Row called Oh Say Can You Scream in 1990.
Shortly thereafter, at another show, Bach put on a T-shirt proclaiming the anti-gay slogan "AIDS Kills Fags Dead". The shirt was given to him by a fan, but Bach eventually expressed regret over the incident, claiming that he did not read the slogan before putting the shirt on. The band also recorded a cover of the Sex Pistols "Holidays in the Sun" for the Make A Difference Foundation release Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell.
Slave to the Grind (1991–1992)
Skid Row returned to the studio with Wagener in 1990, to record its second studio album. Slave to the Grind was released in June 1991 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album reached 2× platinum status without any radio hits. Skid Row once again went out on a worldwide tour which lasted over a year, including a leg supporting Guns N' Roses in 1991 and an appearance at the Castle Donington festival in 1992.
Slave to the Grind was a departure for the band; where Skid Row was an album that followed the typical 80's band formula, Slave to the Grind had a heavier sound, even verging on speed metal with the title track. Skid Row took out Pantera as an opening act on much of the tour supporting Slave to the Grind. Skid Row originally asked upcoming grunge band Nirvana to open for them but they declined, saying that Skid Row was "too homophobic", relating to the Sebastian Bach T-shirt incident. Coincidentally, Nirvana's original band name was also Skid Row.
Subhuman Race and split with Bach (1992–1998)
After the Slave to the Grind promotional tour, an EP of covers B-Side Ourselves was released in September 1992. Before a third album could be recorded, Skid Row took an extended hiatus in 1993 on McGhee's recommendation to wait for the grunge movement to fade away. For some time, Skid Row parted ways with Wagener, possibly due to the music taking a different direction for the follow-up to Slave to the Grind. In 1994, the band returned to the studio with producer Bob Rock to record its third album. Subhuman Race was released in March 1995, and charted in the top 40 on the American charts. Although it did not achieve the success of its predecessors, it charted one single in the US and received positive reviews.
At that point, the band shifted to performing at smaller venues and its videos were rarely played on MTV, partly because of the rise in popularity of grunge and subsequent decline of many 1980s heavy metal styles. Skid Row was the opening act for Van Halen on its North American leg of the tour. Eventually, Bach was fired by the band in late 1996 after an argument with Bolan who turned down an opening slot on the Kiss reunion tour even though Bach already booked it. Other band members told Bach that Skid Row was too big for an opening act and that they were not going to do the show. Bach then left a message on a bandmate's answering machine telling them the band was never too big to open for Kiss.
Bolan had a side project, a punk rock band Prunella Scales who was playing at the same time as the planned Kiss show. The rift between Bach and the other band members subsequently led to him leaving Skid Row. Four years later, Skid Row was one of the opening acts for the 2000 Kiss Farewell Tour. In 1998 Skid Row released the compilation 40 Seasons: The Best of Skid Row. After Bach's departure, the remaining members continued as Ozone Monday with singer Shawn McCabe of Mars Needs Women. In 1998 and 1999, the group opened up for Kiss and Mötley Crüe under the new moniker.
New lineup and Thickskin (1999–2005)
Skid Row re-formed in 1999 with new lead vocalist Johnny Solinger and drummer Charlie Mills, later replaced by Phil Varone. After re-forming, the band opened for Kiss on its farewell tour, and also played with other 1980s metal bands such as Poison and Mötley Crüe's singer Vince Neil. In 2002 they were part of the Rock Never Stops Tour. Skid Row released its fourth full-length studio album Thickskin in 2003, which was the first album to feature Solinger and its first studio album in 8 years. In 2004, Dave Gara was announced as the new drummer.
Revolutions per Minute (2006–2012)
The fifth Skid Row album Revolutions per Minute was released in October 2006 by SPV Records. Wagener reunited with Skid Row and became this album's producer. In 2007, the band recorded "Jingle Bells" for a Monster Ballads Christmas album. In early 2010 Rob Hammersmith became the band's new drummer.
Speaking in 2009 about the next Skid Row album, Hill said "we haven't sat down and recorded anything yet, but we have sat down and worked out some ideas and just played them on a handheld recorder. Everybody's writing and we're getting into that mind set. Once the wheels get in motion we'll all probably fly out to Atlanta spend a week or two up there come home, go back up there do it again, we're all living in different cities, which can make it difficult at times."
United World Rebellion (2013–2022)
In February 2013 Skid Row signed with Megaforce Records, and stated the new material would be released as three separate EP's. The first chapter United World Rebellion: Chapter One, was released in April, with two more EPs set to follow in the following 12 to 18 months.
In February 2014, the band began working on the second EP. In August, Skid Row released the second chapter of the trilogy titled Rise of the Damnation Army. In April 2015, Solinger was fired from the band. Later that day it was announced that Tony Harnell, formerly of the Norwegian melodic metal band TNT, will replace Solinger. That same month the band released a re-recorded version of its early single "18 and Life" as a free download. In February, two months before Solinger's departure, Skid Row announced they were writing the third chapter of the United World Rebellion series. Harnell left the band in December, and former Dragonforce vocalist ZP Theart was filling in as the lead singer for concerts in 2016. In January 2017, Theart was named as an official member of the band.
In March 2018, it was revealed the band's next release for the United World Rebellion trilogy would now be a full-length album. In January 2019, a deluxe edition of Skid Row's self-titled debut album was released digitally, which included the original album remastered for the first time (with "Forever" added as the bonus track), as well as a recording of the band's April 28, 1989 performance at The Marquee in Westminster, California. In the summer of 2019, former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach announced plans to perform the band's self-titled debut album in its entirety on tour as a celebration of its 30th anniversary, and issued an open invitation for the band to play on stage with him for the first time since their split, hoping it would result in a proper Skid Row reunion with Bach. Guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo declined the offer, while former drummer Rob Affuso subsequently confirmed that he would be joining Bach on stage during the tour.
The Gang's All Here (2022–Present)
Theart would depart the band in March 2022. Soon after the band announced Erik Grönwall, 2009 Swedish Idol winner, as their new vocalist. Skid Row released their 6th studio album "The Gangs All Here' in October 2022.
Band members:
Current members
Rachel Bolan – bass, vocals (1986–present)Dave "The Snake" Sabo – guitar, backing vocals (1986–present)Scotti Hill – guitar, backing vocals (1987–present)Rob Hammersmith – drums (2010–present)Erik Grönwall – vocals (2022–present)
Former members
Matt Fallon – lead vocals (1986–1987)Cody Howell – bass (1986)Steve Brotherton – guitar (1986, 2005)Kurtis Jackson – guitar (1986, 2005)John Ratkowski Jr. – drums (1986–1987)Jim Yuhas (Yuhaz) – guitar (1986–1987)Charlie Mills – drums (1986–1987, 1999–2000)Rob Affuso – drums (1987–1998, 2002)Sebastian Bach – lead vocals (1987–1996)Sean McCabe (Shawn Mars) – lead vocals (1997–1998)Johnny Solinger – lead vocals (1999–2015)Phil Varone – drums (1999–2004)Timothy DiDuro – drums (2004)Dave Gara – drums (2004–2010)Tony Harnell – lead vocals (2015)ZP Theart – vocals (2017–2022)
Official website
Monkey Business
Skid Row Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whole lot of trouble comin'
The cartoon killers and the rag cover clones
Stack heals kickin' rhythm
Of social circumcision
Can't close the closet on a shoe box full of bones
Can't afford the rental on a bamboo couch
Collecting back her favors 'cause her well is running dry
I know her act is terminal but she ain't gonna die
Slim intoxicado drinkin' dime store hooch
Is always in a circle with his part-time pooch
Little creepy's playing dollies on the New York rain
Thinkin' Bowie's just a knife
Oh the pain I ain't seen the sun since I don't know when
The freaks come out at nine and it's twenty to ten
What's this funk that you call junk?
To me it's just monkey business (get back)
Blind man in the box that will probably die
The village kids laugh as they walk by
A psycho is on the edge of this human garbage dump
And the vultures in the sewers are telling him to jump
Into the fire from the frying pan
Tripping on his tongue for a cool place to stand
Where's this shade that you've got it made
To me it's just monkey business
(Monkey business) slippin' on the track
(Monkey business) jungle in black
(Ain't your business) if I got no monkey on my back
(Monkey business) slippin' on the track
(Monkey business) jungle in black
(Ain't your business) if I got no monkey on my back
The Vaseline gypsies and the silicone souls dressed to the society
Hypocrite heartbeat and cheap alibis can't get you by that monkey, m-m-monkey, monkey
(Monkey business) slippin' on the track
(Monkey business) jungle in black
(Ain't your business) if I got no monkey on my back
(Monkey business) slippin' on the track
(Monkey business) jungle in black
(Ain't your business) if I got no monkey on my back
(Monkey business) you can't tell me (monkey business) I got the business
(Ain't your business) no monkey on my back, yeah, yeah, cool
Monkey business, ness, business
Don't get me no business, oh aay
The lyrics of Skid Row's song "Monkey Business" paint a bleak picture of a society that is rife with trouble and corruption. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery that describes the characters in the song as well as the various situations they find themselves in. The opening lines of the song set the scene: there is trouble coming, and it's coming fast. The "cartoon killers and the rag cover clones" represent the people who are responsible for this trouble. These individuals are metaphorically compared to cartoon characters who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, even if it means hurting others.
The next lines of the song describe a "Kangaroo lady with her bourbon in a pouch" who is down on her luck and struggling to get by. She is unable to afford a place to live and is forced to collect back her favors from those who owe her. The lyrics then introduce "Slim intoxicado," a man who is always drinking cheap alcohol with his dog by his side. He is contrasted with "Little creepy," a person who engages in childlike behavior even in the midst of the city's rain.
The chorus of the song refers to the people in this society as "freaks" and describes their behavior as "junk" or monkey business. The verses continue to paint a dark picture of society, including a blind man who is ignored by the village kids and a psycho who is on the edge of a garbage dump.
Overall, the lyrics of "Monkey Business" describe a society that is broken and filled with characters who are struggling to get by. The song is a commentary on the darker aspects of human nature and the impact that they have on society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, outside my window there's a
Whole lot of trouble comin'
The cartoon killers and the rag cover clones
The world outside is full of danger, with violent and fake people at every turn.
Stack heals kickin' rhythm
Of social circumcision
Can't close the closet on a shoe box full of bones
Society's pressures, like conformity and the need to hide secrets or past mistakes, can feel suffocating.
Kangaroo lady with her bourbon in a pouch
Can't afford the rental on a bamboo couch
Collecting back her favors 'cause her well is running dry
I know her act is terminal but she ain't gonna die
A woman who is struggling financially and emotionally, relying on past favors to survive, even though she knows this way of life is unsustainable.
Slim intoxicado drinkin' dime store hooch
Is always in a circle with his part-time pooch
Little creepy's playing dollies on the New York rain
Thinkin' Bowie's just a knife
A group of eccentric people who are stuck in their own worlds, coping with their problems through substance abuse and fantasies.
Oh the pain I ain't seen the sun since I don't know when
The freaks come out at nine and it's twenty to ten
What's this funk that you call junk?
To me it's just monkey business (get back)
The artist is in a dark place, feeling a sense of detachment from the world and its problems, and questioning society's definition of what is 'good' or 'bad'.
Blind man in the box that will probably die
The village kids laugh as they walk by
A psycho is on the edge of this human garbage dump
And the vultures in the sewers are telling him to jump
The world is cruel and heartless, with people passing judgement on those who are different or suffering, and pushing them closer to the brink of despair.
Into the fire from the frying pan
Tripping on his tongue for a cool place to stand
Where's this shade that you've got it made
To me it's just monkey business
People are always looking for a way out of their problems, a place to cool down, and find happiness, but this journey often leads to more danger and chaos.
(Monkey business) slippin' on the track
(Monkey business) jungle in black
(Ain't your business) if I got no monkey on my back
The idea of 'monkey business' is pervasive throughout the song, representing the troubles and distractions of everyday life.
The Vaseline gypsies and the silicone souls dressed to the society
Hypocrite heartbeat and cheap alibis can't get you by that monkey, m-m-monkey, monkey
Society creates fake, superficial people who try to fit in, but in reality, this facade can't protect them from the harsh realities of the world, the 'monkey' or 'monkey business'.
(Monkey business) slippin' on the track
(Monkey business) jungle in black
(Ain't your business) if I got no monkey on my back
(Monkey business) you can't tell me (monkey business) I got the business
(Ain't your business) no monkey on my back, yeah, yeah, cool
Monkey business, ness, business
Don't get me no business, oh aay
The chorus repeats the message of the song, that 'monkey business' is everywhere, but it's not anyone's business except for the artist's, and they don't want any more of it.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Sabo, Rachel Southworth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@desireekilimas3124
This man was so sexy and the whole band kicked ass. His vocals were unreal. I'm 55 yrs old and still jam to Skidrow. 🤘😎🤘
@jksarnold
53! Still jammin!
@aleksandarfrick2656
@jeannie arnold 46 still !
@arttu7534
@jeannie arnold i was 20 when this came out now im 51 and still rocking it 🤘🏻
@antoniogon
45 y sigo igual de emocionado que cuando lo compré, pq lo tengo original en casette
@mikejoe3551
He's not so sexy anymore. Seriously. And when you see how he acts in real life and the way he treats his wife I bet you won't find him so sexy.
@SunDiegoRockStar
One of the greatest rock intros of all time, also got to respect the fact that these guys didn't need Nirvana to kill glam rock, they left it on their own prior to Nevermind and put out Slave to the Grind which was solid hard rock / metal start to finish.
@gsxerwhite
Yep I remember hearing this and thinking holy shit they stepped up their game, sound pretty heavy now as far as rock goes. They were on the fine line between hard rock and metal with this album.
@SunDiegoRockStar
@gsxerwhite 100%
@jkckmarcumful
That's why Skid Row and Guns N' Roses were able to keep getting played on Mtv and the radio during that grunge explosion. They were real, and real shit always comes across with a huge audience. Those 2 bands were 1,000 times better than any of the grunge bands. AIC is the only one that comes close. If it wasn't for Guns N' Roses and Skid Row, Nirvana would have never happened the way it did on Mtv. When 'Welcome to the Jungle' debuted on Mtv, you couldn't get anymore alternative than that shit. Imagine that song/video hitting the television screen in some little town in the midwest at the height of Reagan's America. Lol. Shit, Nirvana took off around the time Clinton was taking office. The country was totally different and more accepting of things like that on radio or Mtv. When Guns N' Roses hit the scene, they scared the f*** out of parents all over the country. Way, way more than Nirvana did when 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' came out. That's why it never made sense to me that Kurt Cobain talked shit about Axl and GNR. They paved the way for that whole genre of music.