Sebastian Bach: An Xperience Interview
By Jason Irwin
Sebastian Bach remains one of hard rock’s most distinctive voices, decades after first breaking through with Skid Row. With a new solo album, “Child Within the Man,” and an active touring schedule, Bach continues to push forward rather than look back. He is set to perform on March 24, 2026, at Empire Live in Albany. I spoke with him recently about the new record, touring, collaborations, and the experiences that have shaped his career. This was an enjoyable interview. He is extremely talented, sharp, personable, and laid-back (but note: he doesn’t take any crap, either). I like him.
Here are what I consider to be the best parts of my interview. Enjoy!
RRX: So I was just listening to your song “What Do I Got to Lose?” I saw the video, too. It was pretty awesome. So, for your latest album, “Child Within the Man” … how did this particular songwriting period compare to your earlier work?
Sebastian Bach: There’s no difference between the way I felt when I recorded “Youth Gone Wild” and “What Do I Got to Lose?” It’s the same feeling. It’s the same energy and excitement and the same love for it. I’ve always made music for myself. I’m not one of these guys who will tell you, “I’m the songwriter, so I have to write all the songs.” I don’t understand that way of thinking. I always just go for the best ideas. And if I don’t feel a song in my heart, I can’t sing it with conviction. I can’t even sing it, actually. I’ve tried that before. I remember in Skid Row once or twice, they would write a tune that I didn’t like, and I would think, well, I need to be part of the team, and I’d walk up to the mic and try to sing it, and my mouth would shut. I literally have to love the song for me to step up to the mic and sing it. That’s not to say I love every song I ever did. But at the time that I am recording it, if I don’t love it, I can’t do it. I don’t think that’s selfish. I don’t sit there and say, “What does everybody want me to do?” I make music that I love, and I always have and I always will. What you’re going to get with me for the rest of my life is what you’ve always got. The same deal.
RRX: Awesome to hear. My next question is a tiny bit cliché, but I think it’s important. How much would you say of the tour set list is focused on your latest music? And how do you balance that with fan favorite classics?
SB: Yeah, well, I think that the YouTube video plays tell me what people want to hear. The video you just mentioned has two million views, which in my day was double platinum. And, you know, I always do “18 And Life,” “Youth Gone Wild,” and “I Remember You” because I know people are buying tickets to hear those songs. But other than that — oh, and “Monkey Business” too. But other than that, I just play around, and I do what I feel makes a good show. And the cowbell has a lot to do with it. I love cowbell. I love the songs with cowbell in them, which are most of my songs.
RRX: The record features several collaborations with other artists, including Myles Kennedy, Orianthi, Steve Stevens, and John 5. Were there any partnerships on this record that were especially meaningful?
SB: Well, I think the one with Orianthi was pretty meaningful. My wife, Suzanne, hooked us up, and I love the song that we did. And then we did the video with Orianthi in it, and my daughter. She was like 16 filming this video. And so that has a heavy meaning to me. And Orianthi is a great guitar player. And John 5, I’ve collaborated with on all my solo albums. I’ve been working with him for over 10 … maybe 15 years now. So that’s amazing. And we’re both KISS fanatics. So we really bond on that.
RRX: So, speaking of collaborations, you’ve done a bunch over the years. What’s an awesome memory of either being a part of a supergroup or an onstage appearance that you really, really, really loved?
SB: On stage? Well, I mean, many times with Axl and Guns N’ Roses when they reunited with Duff and Slash. They played at T-Mobile Arena here in Vegas, and they invited me up to sing with them, which was incredible. I have got to say the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert, where I played with Lars on drums, Geezer Butler on bass, and Dave Grohl on guitar. I mean, for a guy like me, from Skid Row, that was really, really mind-blowing. I couldn’t believe I was up there with those guys, if you want to know the truth. Yeah.
RRX: But you are one of those guys, though …
SB: Well, I didn’t realize I was, really, because, you know, all these stories, “grunge killed hair metal,” and all those clichés. But if grunge was out to kill hair metal, Dave Grohl wouldn’t ask me to jam with him on stage, would he? So it’s all a bunch of bulls*** at the end of the day.
RRX: You’ve taken on some really outside-of-the-box projects like Broadway, TV, reality shows, acting, etc. Which of those experiences did you enjoy the most?
SB: The one I enjoyed the most was definitely “Jekyll & Hyde” on Broadway. I’m a Marvel Comics collector. And one of the comics I bought as a kid in 1976 was Marvel Classic Comics #1, which was Jekyll and Hyde. And so I felt like I was in a Marvel comic because I used to read that comic all the time. I really had a lot of fun doing that show. I got to beat up people on stage and throw fire bombs. And wear the coolest Victorian fitted clothes. It was probably the highlight of my career, I would say. When you are a headlining Broadway leading man, which I was, you get treated in New York City like royalty. People in Times Square, in the Broadway Theater District, when you walk into a restaurant or something, it’s like, “Right this way, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde.” I remember I did an interview on NBC Channel 4, the biggest TV station in New York City, with Aisha Tyler, the biggest TV newscaster. I’ll never forget — I’m sitting there on TV at 6 p.m., and they go, “All right, next up, we know him in New York City as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But I bet you didn’t know Sebastian Bach has a rock and roll past?” And I go, “What? That’s the intro for my interview now? You didn’t know I had a rock and roll past?” That was mind-blowing to me. When they cut to my face, I was in shock because I had done something in New York City that was bigger than Skid Row. And that just felt really good to me. I thought, Wow, I did something else in my life.
RRX: Anything else on the bucket list outside the box that you’d still like to tackle?
SB: Well, I would love to do more theater, but it really depends on the role. Because if you’re doing something that many times a week, then you’d better love it. I would love to be in a Marvel movie at some point in my life. I’m a very big fan of Marvel. And I’ve done lots of acting. So that would be great. Those two things. Maybe a DC movie too. I’m not exclusive.
RRX: Now, without getting into “reunion” talk, which I’m sure you are asked about a lot: there’s always a lot of, I guess, online stuff … social media … about you and your former band. How do you deal with all the social media noise about things like that?
SB: I don’t even care about social media. I use it to promote my shows. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s like nothing. I promote my concerts and let fans know I have a new record out. It’s been years since I bothered reading a comment section. I have better things to do with my time. Let me just say this: When the internet first came out, none of us knew what the hell it was. 10 or 15 years ago, yeah, I was reading comments and threatening people to fight down at Chick-fil-A at 4:30. Then I thought, why am I wasting my time? Nowadays, people are realizing that the really cool people are not on the internet. It’s a place for jealous losers. Nobody really cool is typing s*** online. I’ve canceled all my social media accounts. I like looking at stuff like old videos of bands I love, like Rose Tattoo. I love all the KISS stuff — I’m a collector. But as far as reading what Jimmy from Iowa thinks of my new video, I don’t give a f***.
RRX: That’s excellent. Moving on — what do you do to keep your vocals sharp, especially after a long career and a pretty demanding tour schedule?
SB: When I was 18 or 19, I first joined Skid Row. Jon Bon Jovi put me with his vocal coach, Don Lawrence, in Manhattan. I used to take lessons from him for $100 an hour in 1987, which is like a grand an hour now or something. He made us record our lessons. So when digitizing audio became a thing in the mid-’90s, the first thing I digitized were all the vocal lessons I took at 19. Now, every time I sing — every show, every album, even jamming with another band — I put on a tape from one of those lessons and do my vocal exercises at 57 that I did at 18. I never let it go. I keep my voice the same as it was. I don’t know anybody else who does that.
RRX: Well, it’s paid off because you sound great.
SB: Thank you. I appreciate that.
RRX: I know you’re a big KISS fan. I am too. Here’s a debate: when it comes to the best KISS party song, most of my friends go with “Rock and Roll All Nite.” My personal pick is “Shout It Out Loud.” I think it’s more all-encompassing. What’s your take?
SB: I say “Shout It Out Loud.” I’m on your side. I love “Shout It Out Loud.” I remember when I was a kid in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, that song was a hit on my local radio station. They played it all the time. They also played “Christine Sixteen” and “Calling Dr. Love.” Cheap Trick, too. I remember being in the kitchen, hearing “Shout It Out Loud” while my mom was making dinner, and just freaking out about how much I loved it. I love that song.
RRX: That’s excellent. Thank you for backing me up! How about this: What gives you the absolute best feeling during a live show?
SB: Well, we’re doing something new in the show that I don’t want to give away — it’s a little stunt that’s fun. Other than that, I would say doing the song “What Do I Got to Lose?” When you put out a new song that has to stand next to classics like “Youth Gone Wild” and “Monkey Business,” it better be good. If a new tune can be played next to those songs, that’s an incredible feeling. That’s my favorite part of the show.
RRX: I don’t suppose you want to share a pet peeve as a performer.
SB: A pet peeve? Phones. That’s easy.
RRX: Phones? Okay, that’s a really good answer.
SB: It’s a simple answer. We had a sold-out show the other night in Lincoln City, Oregon. This lady in the front row was filming me with her phone. I picked it up slowly while she was filming, and I put it down my throat for about 15 seconds. She got footage of my vocal cords. I said, “Here, here’s the inside of my guts. Is this good enough? Put the f****** phone down.” When I got home, my wife said, “Why are you putting people’s phones in your mouth?” It’s disgusting and dirty. I was just trying to get some good footage.
RRX: All right. I won’t use my phone at your show. I’ll get the word out.
SB: It’s just endless.
RRX: Well, before we wrap up – and thank you so much again – is there anything you want to say … anything on your mind? Something you want your fans to know?
SB: You guys are in Albany, New York, right? Okay. Well, Saturday night, we’re playing in Atlantic City, New Jersey with Tesla. One of my favorite bands, great guys. That’s at the Hard Rock Arena. And then the next day, January 25th, I have my third art show at the Hard Rock with Brian Wheat of Tesla. We’re both going to be there at 2 PM. 2 PM, can you believe that? And we’re going to be showing our art and having some fun. And that’s something I really love to do. So Albany, if you want to – and I know Albany’s pretty far, but it’s not as far as Vegas. And I’m coming to you from Vegas. So if I’m coming from Vegas to you, maybe you can come to Atlantic City from Albany.
RRX: That’s fair.
SB: Right?
Sebastian Bach online: sebastianbach.com
Empire Live for show info & tickets: empirelivealbany.com