Rising to prominence as the front man of Skid Row, Sebastian has worn multiple hats since his departure from the group; literally becoming a multi-stage personality. Bach has starred on television in a recurring role on the CW’s “Gilmore Girls,” has performed on Broadway in “Jekyll & Hyde” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” as well as toured nationally with a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and has made multiple appearances on MTV and VH1. “Yeah, I’ve done Broadway four times,” he said, “It’s the biggest thing, well it’s like that word association game; you could give me a word and I’d never run out of things to say about it. I could just keep coming up with words to describe how great it was. I did one that was like a rock show and three more traditional style plays, the beauty of it is I never had to shout or yell; I could just sing and sing properly.”
Along with all of those accomplishments, Bach is also a “Multi-Platinum” recording artist; a stigma that he is quite happy to have. “It’s funny you ask that,” he stated, “Well, what’s funny is that I now live in Beverly Hills, CA. and I look at my house and the walls are full of gold and platinum records. My next door neighbor is a famous actor and he comes over and he’s amazed at them all and I’m like, wow he’s in my house and he’s like, wow you’ve got all of these on your walls (laughing) and I realize how lucky I am. Did you know that Skid Row is one of the top ten recording artists in Atlantic Records history? Last I check we were right behind “Led Zeppelin II” and that’s pretty darn good I’d say (laughs).”
With the release of “Give ‘Em Hell,” Sebastian has attempted to take this disc to a “New level of Album Recording.” The time and effort put in from the recording process through to the final mix and mastering was paramount to Bach as he undertook this project. “It is fascinating to me how many people spend so much money and time making albums and then it’s a piece of crap when you put the headphones on, some stuff I’ve heard, you may as well listen to on those headphones that come with your new cell phone.”
Siting a huge obstacle as transferring what was done in the studio to the final product without compromising the work itself; Bach is meticulous about what gets in the hands of the listener. “Dave Grohl said to me that the biggest job of a musician is “saying no.” That is the biggest challenge for us, getting the actual product from the studio to you, the public. People don’t know the difference between WAVE files and MP3s and I made sure that the quality of this album is, not just because it’s mine but it’s really a fight as a human being to bring the music the way it’s supposed to be to the people. Pandora, Spotify, MP3 formats are made so people can get an idea but not necessarily really hear the music as it should be; I refuse to do things that way. I say no a lot because I know what I want and how my music should be represented. I look at it this way, if I don’t leave a lot of pissed off people in my wake; then I’m not saying “no” enough. I think I’ve done that with this album, it totally kicks ass and it’s what I do for a living so it better be good (laughs).”
The players on “Give ‘Em Hell” and his band were hand-picked by Bach himself and are all experienced rockers who have added much more than even Bach himself could have ever hoped. “You know, people often ask me, “When are you getting back with your old band?” I say, if I did that I couldn’t make a record with these guys. I’m a fan of these guys too, Duff McKagan, Steve Stevens, John 5; these guys I really like as musicians and people too. John 5 co-wrote “Temptation” with me and also did the video, I am very lucky to have these guys with me. Steve Stevens, people think he’s just a hard rocker but he’s astounding and does so many styles of guitar and Duff is fantastic.”
Bach kicked off his “Give ‘Em Hell Tour of Hell 2014” recently and has two shows planned in the New York City area shortly after the albums official April 22 release date. Bach and the boys will be rocking B.B. Kings in NYC on April 24 and then at the Starland Ballroom in his native New Jersey on April 25. These two shows are the first of four straight which take the band down to Maryland then up to Maine, followed by a lengthy break in the schedule before departing for France and the European leg of the tour near the end of June.
Does he ever tire of the touring and the rock lifestyle? The answer is a resounding “No!” “Are you serious? It is what I’ve always done. I mean I have this voice, it’s been what; twenty five years now? There are some who argue that my hair has something to do with it but although that may be part of it; my voice has been the constant. I plan on doing this for a long time (laughs).”
Sebastian Bach tour dates, ticket info. and more can be found at www.sebastianbach.com
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That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Arnie Baird
Sun. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri Trio
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Pizza Night w/Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Band Feat. Billy Hill
Tues. 7 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Blend
911 Rte. 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Earl Ross "Texas Tenor Style" Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Centro Bar And Grille
2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville
(609) 208-9300
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Dave Vroman
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
(609) 394-7437
Thurs. 6 p.m. CDC, Loyal To The Grave, Strength Through Suffering, Full Nelson. All ages, $10
Fri. 6 p.m. Gideon, Kublai Khan, Illusionist, Young Graves, Premonitions, Heroes, The Second Phase. All ages, $12
Sat. 7 p.m. Dead Wings, Continuum, Sick of Silence, Eye of Anubis, All For One. All ages, $8/$10
Sun. (4 p.m.) Bermuda, Set To Reflect, Reborn Divided, Footage Of A Yeti, Revelations, It Compels You, Paradigms, In Search Of. All ages, $10/$12 (11 p.m.) Dreadpool Parker, A-On, Rocky, (TBA). Ages 21+, $5 (free admission w/ first show entry)
Mon. 6 p.m. Fit For An Autopsy, Bottom Feeder, Toothgrinder, Proletariat, Jackknife, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sat. 2 p.m. Andrew Pittman
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 9 p.m. Swift Technique / William Gruff $5
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge
Tues. 8 p.m. Local Original Music Series w/ Nytrous
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran and Friends
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
Sat. 10 p.m. Stage Hamz
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. The Devyl Nellys
Fri. 9 p.m. Luke Elliot
Sat. (3 p.m.) Old Rugged Sauce (9:30 p.m.) The Billy Hector Band
Mon. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. Max Pain & The Groovies
Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Mario DiBartolo Band
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
McGuinn's Place
1781 Brunswick Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-0599
Sat. 10 p.m. Out of The Red
Millhill Basement
300 South Broad St. Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 9 p.m. The Cryptkeeper Five, Trophy Lungs, Victory Boy, The New Warden, Awkward Friends, J Kutchma.
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Alright Alright
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Fortune Ridge
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White and Tom Reock
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deep Release
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Paul Desisto
Sat. 9 p.m. "Spring Freestyle Party" w/ Judy Torres and Soave feat. DJs John Rossi, Scott Valyo, Billy Gray, Mark Hawkes. Ages 21+, $30
All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Steve Bross
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Kathy "Babe" Robinson w/ Tom Adams
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Joe Kaplow
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Rob Silvers Duo
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Thomas Wesley Stern
Mon. 7 p.m. Open Mic. and Karaoke w/ Rich Barry
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Steve The Band
Wed. 8 p.m. Whiskey Fueled
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Sick Intent
Sun.1 p.m. Bikes, Babes & Booze
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
Fri. 10 p.m. Never Enough
Sat. 10 p.m. Mad Notes
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Raymond the Amish Comic. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)
Sat. (10 a.m.) In Store Concert w/ Anker, Successful Failures, Jon & Deena of the Cucumbers. (8:30 p.m.) Essra Mohawk. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance).
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. All For Bettee
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Bent Mushroom
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Sat. 7 p.m. Trenton Freedom vs. Columbus Lions. Tickets $11, $13, $19, $24, $29
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. John Alberici
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: Billy Was a Deaf Kid
Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 10 p.m. Bengal Gold
Fri. 10 p.m. Highway 41 (Allman Bros. Tribute). $5 (coverage)
Sat. (1 p.m.) James Tristan Redding / Kelso Gin Whitney. (10 p.m.) Universal Rebel. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night hosted by Paper Submarines
All shows 21+
Villa Romanza
429 Rte. 156 Hamilton
(609) 585-1717
Fri. 6 p.m. Arturo Romay
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Jayson Dimanche of the Cincinnati Bengals
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Photo credit: Lizzy Cupcake
