Skid Row @ Glasgow Garage 18/11/07, ...makin a mess of me...

[metal4life]

(Posted Image)

Have there ever been words more likely to strike fear into the heart of a seasoned gig-goer than "local opening act". Because the opening act tonight were truly horrendous. I shall spare their blushes by keeping their name to myself but, safe to say, their girlfriends attempt to sell their CD didn't go well. Next up were Sign, the vampire decorators from Iceland and at least their cross between gothtronic and hair metal bore a passing resemblance to music. But, finally, it was time for Skid Row.

The current line-ip of Skid Row sees them down to two original members in the shape of Scotti Hill and Rachel Bolan, with new singer (of eight years standing!) Johnny Solinger telling all and sundry about Dave 'Snake' Sabos jail time, despite the 'official' reason for his absence being carpal tunnel syndrome! He's been replaced by Keri Kelli who has actually pllayed with every LA band including Ratt, Warrant and LA Guns, but it's the cowboy hatted, bandana wearing, self proclaimed Texan redneck, Solinger, who is the out and out star of the show. An old school rock and roll frontman he has the moves, the poses and the banter to keep several hundred rock fans completely captivated.

And Skid Row know what the fans want. Sure, there is a new album out, but when the show kicks off with three tracks from the debut album back to back - 'Makin' A Mess', 'Piece Of Me' and 'Sweet Little Sister' - then it's clear they're here to celebrate the good old days. And a celebration is exactly what it is, with 7 tracks from the debut getting an airing alongside a handful from the follow up "Slave To The Grind". A high kicking, high octane show that helped restore my faith in the power of rock and roll.

Highlights were a-plenty with the acoustic, crowd sung 'I Remember You', 'Monkey Business' and 'Slave To The Grind' top of my list. And, of course, how could you have a Skid Row show without '18 And Life' and 'Youth Gone Wild'? Well, you can't. A fabulous show from a fantastic, crowd pleasing band.

:twisted :twisted :twisted :twisted / 4 out of 5

[Alasdair MacCaluim]

A superb gig indeed. It was good to see Skid Row celebrating their heritage and metal in general rather than being embarrased with it like they were during the grunge and nu-metal era.

Do we know why Snake is in jail?? Non payment of parking fines, perhaps? Smoking in a public place?

I thought the first support band Victorius were actually quite good (and would have been better if the sound hadn't been so bad). Good NMOBHM clone stuff.

Finally, is it just me or is Scotti Hill becoming the spitting image of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham from the 1980s Robin Hood series??