Artist:  Skid Row

Venue:  Rios, Bradford

Date:  10 September 2005 

This has to be one of my most anticipated gigs for some time, after reading so many good reviews of the band since they did a few shows earlier last year and got a great response from the fans, this shows the band have found a star in new vocalist Johnny Solinger. It may be calm outside but thunder can be heard inside the venue as support act 'Head On' hit the stage at Rio's.  This band brought forth their very own style of full on metal which won many people over.  Certainly I'm sure they did so tonight with their professional performance and no holds barred approach to the gig.

Now to the moment that many people have been waiting in anticipation for, can Mr. Solinger fit into one Seb Bach's shoes, as I said in my review of the bands album 'Thickskin' ... ''Seb who''?

With the familiar intro of Blitzkrieg Bob by the Ramones it's straight down to business for Skid Row.  The first song performed tonight was 'Thick Is The Skin' and is indeed taken from said 'Thickskin' album.  The near capacity crown just go wild and all the hype behind the band's recent live gigs seems more than justified tonight.  It has to be said, Solinger gives 110% right from the very start of the set to the very last note. 

The absence of Snake on guitar is very prominent, but as Johnny explains that instead of cancelling the tour due to Snakes recent hand injury, the band decided to bring in replacement Keri Kelly.  A man who himself is no stranger to the Rio's crowd.

With a setlist that includes many of the bands classic songs, as well as songs from the Thickskin album, they provide plenty to please the fans both old and new to the band. 'New Generation' is another song taken from said album and goes down a storm with the crowd.  It just goes to prove that Solinger is one hell of a front man.  He even takes time out to make a toast to Snake on his absence, much to the approval of the party animal crowd that has gathered here tonight.

Even the diehard fans couldn't fail to be impressed with Solinger.  As the set progresses into the more familiar ground with songs like '18 and Life', 'Monkey Business', during which Scot Hill does his best demonic guitarist impression as he solos on the song, and 'Riot Act',  a song that just simply rocked the house.

Even the punkier version of 'I Remember You' goes down a storm.  By this time the band have the crowd well within their grips and anything they play now will get an equally rapturous response from the crowd.

Even the bands salute to the Ramones 'Psycho Therapy' with Rachel Bolan taking the honours on vocals.

With Johnny's return to stage its back to the classics with the more sombre version of 'I Remember You', with Keri Kelly and Solinger giving it the unplugged treatment.  The rest of the band join them back on stage to rip it up a little before finishing the set with an excellent version of 'Slave To The Grind'.

The band then leave the stage to almost overwhelming response by the crowd.  Well what can I say, if you're going whip a crowd into a frenzy, they aren't going want to call it a day without putting up a fight.

The obligatory encore shortly followed with 'We Go Blind' seeing Keri Kelly ripping up a storm.  Much as he has all night for that matter.  Whoah this guys really on fire tonight.  Of course the night wouldn't be complete without ending the night on 'Youth Gone Wild', which sees the band joined on stage by Head On, who sing the backing vocals.

After seeing the band first hand they certainly live up to all the great reviews I have read about them recently.  As a fan, I would highly recommend those of you who haven’t seen this new incarnation of the band to seriously check them out.  You really are missing one hell of a great show! 

I for one can't wait to see them hit the clubs again and will be eagerly awaiting news of the next tour dates.

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