SKID ROW Guitarist: 'This Was Probably The Least Pressure Record We've Ever Done'

Dawn of The Metal Web recently conducted an interview with SKID ROW guitarist Scotti Hill. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

The Metal Web: Being that it's been several years since your last release "ThickSkin"; did that give an incentive or put added pressure on the band for a follow-up?

Scotti Hill: No pressure at all. We're a slow band and we do things at our own pace. As a matter a fact, this was probably the least pressure record we've ever done. It was a very relaxed environment. Nobody breathing down our necks. In general, I'd say, the whole thing was pretty kicked back. We wrote it as we went along and when we had a few free minutes, we'd work on it. Eventually, we got it done, which is amazing. I'm amazed whenever we get a record done. (Laughs) We had a great time.

The Metal Web: You brought in producer Michael Wagener who is definitely no stranger to SKID ROW, having been with the band since its inception. What unique quality do you feel Michael brings to SKID ROW because I know you changed producers on "Subhuman Race" by bringing in Bob Rock and now your back working with Michael again for the last two albums?

Scotti Hill: Michael didn't do "ThickSkin". That was self-produced. We've kept in touch with Michael over the years and we've always been really good friends. Whenever we go through Nashville where he lives, we make sure to hook up for dinner or to go out. When it was getting closer to doing the record we were like, man, it would be great if Michael could record us again. He was totally into it. We've all been up to his studio before working on whatever or if he needs somebody to play on something, one of us will go up. So, we're familiar with his surroundings and his studio. When we got in there the very first day for pre-production, it felt like the day after "Slave To The Grind". It was as if we never had been apart. Working with Michael and any band that has ever worked with Michael will tell you, he's a lot of fun. There's no pressure. If you're having a bad day or you're not feeling it, he'll just grab you; take you out to a restaurant or a bar or whatever so you can clear your head out. (Laughs) He's a lot of fun. We love him. It is just a really great, creative environment.

The Metal Web: The track "You Lie" was added as a bonus to the album and musically was quite different from the rest of the album, almost sounding country. Was this something that was leftover?

Scotti Hill: No, it was written. We were in the studio doing demos one day and just sitting around with an acoustic guitar and that song came up and we were like, wow, that's fun. Personally, I love playing that kind of stuff. I really enjoy it. When I say country music, I'm not talking about pop radio country music. I'm talking about the old stuff. Just good country music from the old days. That kind of instrumentation, acoustic guitars, twangy electric and that sort of thing. That was just a "must-do" and it's not as if we even discussed and said hey man, should we do something like this? Are people going to like it? We're like, does it really matter nowadays. Of course, we hope that people like our stuff. As any band will tell you, you've got to like it first. We enjoy it and we think it's fun. I'm sure it's not everybody's cup of tea.

The Metal Web: Johnny [Solinger] has been with the band now for two records. Many times bands change vocalists and it sounds like a completely different band. But, it doesn't seem that way with Johnny. Sure, there are differences but I think he fits nicely without taking away from SKID ROW's overall sound. Would you agree and was there any concern at first about recapturing an audience that was used to Sebastian [Bach]?

Scotti Hill: We knew all along that we were going to catch a lot of shit from people that just want things the way they used to be. It's just not possible. Like Rachel [Bolan] says, there is enough rock 'n' roll to go around. As far as Johnny's concerned, when he joined the band back in 2000, I think the first thing we had in mind was, could he do the old songs justice? We figured out, yes, he could. The next question was, does he have his own voice? The answer to that was, yes, he does. I love the sound of his voice. I love the way he sings. I watched him do every track on this record. I sat in the next room and watched him through the glass and he was in and out of there in no time. I'm really impressed with what he does in the studio. He's been on stage for years. So, he knew how to work an audience from the beginning. It's a good, all-around thing. Plus, and I keep mentioning this, he's a good guy and we're friends. We have a good chemistry in the band. Not that we don't have our disagreements, but everybody's pretty much on the same page as far as where we want to take it and what kind of music we want to play.

Read the entire interview at www.themetalweb.com.