SKID ROW Guitarist DAVE 'SNAKE' SABO: 'We've Always Remained True To What We Do'

On July 20, SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo and bassist Rachel Bolan were interviewed at the studios of the WZZM television station in Grand Rapids, Michigan. You can now watch their appearance at this location.

Asked how SKID ROW's sound has changed since the release of the band's first two albums, Sabo said: "It hasn't. We've always remained true to what we do. It's the only thing we know how to do, to be quite honest. And one of the things that we pride ourselves on is that we've never been disengenious with the audience at all; we've always been very true to the spirit and the soul of the band."

He continued: "Songwriting is a very selfish act; you have to write for yourself first. But by doing that, you leave no stone unturned and you make sure that what you're giving the public is completely true and pure. And this way, you kind of leave it up to them to decide whether they like it or not; it's out of your hands at that point. But at least it's genuine. It's not something that's false."

Added Bolan: "We've never changed our… I don't wanna say 'formula,' but the way we write songs. We've always done it. We just get in a room, buy a six-pack of beer and we bounce ideas off each other for hours. Shut off the cell phone, you know…"

SKID ROW — Johnny Solinger (vocals),Scotti Hill (guitar),Rachel Bolan (bass),Dave "Snake" Sabo (guitar) and Rob Hammersmith (drums) — will release a new seven-song EP, "Rise Of The Damnation Army - United World Rebellion: Chapter Two", on August 5 via Megaforce Records. The CD will contain covers of QUEEN and AEROSMITH classics as bonus tracks.

In a recent interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Sabo spoke about SKID ROW's mindset while writing the new material. "I think we have also gotten to the point that we are so appreciative of what we have and are so thankful," he said. "We are really humbled by it all. I think with that comes a respect for the audience and what the band has been able to do over the course of the past 28 years. There is a respect for the songwriting, along with a respect for each other.

"Rachel and I really became conscious of how fortunate we are. To still be songwriting partners, band members and best buds after all this time is really something. That doesn't get lost on us through this whole process. We are keenly aware of being present and in the moment. It sounds cliché, but when it really does happen, it is something truly incredible. I think we are just going to take that philosophy and presence of mind into the next release and create from there. It is a great sampling and a great place to be in when you are both on the same page with one and other. The results are something to behold."