[Photo credits to @L. Paul Mann]
On a sultry mid-summer night at the end of June, Sebastian Bach, the iconic frontman of 80s Metal band Skid Row, took the stage at the Majestic Ventura Theater in Ventura, CA, for a night of electrifying rock.
The cavernous theater, with its ornate setting, was buzzing with hard rock fans early for the opening set by the Los Angeles-based band Classless Act. The young musicians, no strangers to opening for legendary rock performers, had the crowd electrified from the start with their high-energy performance. The band, featuring Lead vocalist Derek Day, Griffin Tucker on lead guitar, Dane Pieper on rhythm guitar, Franco Gravante on bass and Chuck McKissock on Drums, set the stage for an unforgettable night.
Sebastian Bach and his band took the stage just after 9pm for an explosive 16 song set, that literally rattled the walls of the vintage era theater. It was a family affair at the Ventura show with Bach’s wife Suzanne_le_bach in the audience and his son Paris on drums. The Canadian singer, in a series of personal anecdotes, shared his experiences living nearby in Thousand Oaks during the pandemic and his decision to relocate from New Jersey to LA due to flooding and wildfires. “That’s where Paris banged on the drums relentlessly until he got good,” the long, golden-haired singer exclaimed. These personal stories, shared with warmth and humor, added a unique and intimate touch to the show. Bach’s new band also featured, Clay Eubank on bass, and Brody DeRozie on guitar.
As Bach noted, this year marked the 35th anniversary of Skid Row’s self-titled debut album, a record that catapulted the band to fame and is considered a classic in the rock genre. To celebrate this milestone, he treated fans to a trip down memory lane by performing 9 of the 11 songs from that iconic album. Hits like “18 And a Life,” “I Remember You,” and the show closer “Youth Gone Wild” had the crowd rocking out all night long.
During his performance of “I Remember You,” Bach took a poignant moment to pay tribute to the rock legends we lost in recent years, including Eddie Van Halen, Neil Peart, Taylor Hawkins, Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul Abbott, Chris Cornell, and Ronnie James Dio. He even mixed in a bit of Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell” to honor these music icons. This heartfelt tribute, delivered with reverence and emotion, resonated with the audience, fostering a deep sense of respect and appreciation for these influential figures.
In addition to Skid Row classics, the setlist featured significant hits like “Slave to the Grind” and “Monkey Business.” Bach also threw in a cover of Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” for good measure. Fans were thrilled to hear three songs from his solo career, including “What Do I Got to Lose,” “Freedom,” and “Everybody Bleeds.”
The show was full of nostalgic MTV-era classic rock, a genre that dominated the music scene in the 1980s and early 1990s. This style, characterized by its catchy melodies, anthemic choruses, and guitar-driven sound, was showcased in Bach’s performance. Despite the nostalgic vibe, the show also highlighted Bach’s incredible vocal skills, which remain as vibrant and powerful as ever.
All photos courtesy of L. Paul Mann
