Sebastian Bach

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This article is about the heavy metal singer. For the classical composer, see Johann Sebastian Bach.
Sebastian Bach
Bach in 2012
Bach in 2012
Background information
Birth nameSebastian Philip Bierk
Born (1968-04-03) April 3, 1968 (age 53)
Freeport, Bahamas
OriginPeterborough, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1983–present
LabelsFrontiers, Universal
Associated acts

Sebastian Philip Bierk (born April 3, 1968), known professionally as Sebastian Bach, is a Canadian singer and songwriter who achieved mainstream success as the frontman of heavy metal band Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. He continues a solo career, acted on Broadway and has made appearances in film and television such as Trailer Park Boys and Gilmore Girls.

Early years[]

Bach was born in the Bahamas and was raised in Peterborough, Ontario.[1] He was one of eight children.[2] His brother Zac Bierk is an ice hockey player.[3]

His father, David Bierk (d. 2002), was a noted painter. He painted one of Skid Row's album covers and inside cover art on another band album, and an album cover for one of Bach's solo records, and inside art for another solo effort.[4][5]

Bach became confident of his ability to sing partly from listening to his mother and aunt sing informally at home and feeling joyful when he heard them.[6]

He also joined a church choir when he was eight years old, and found much joy in singing "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" with them. He knew while singing the hymn that he would sing for the rest of his life.[7][8]

Career[]

Kid Wikkid (1983–1985)[]

The members of Kid Wikkid were based in Peterborough, Ontario. Upon hearing of the band and unaware of their ages, 14-year-old Bach auditioned for the group, and was hired by guitar player and band leader Jason Delorme. Kid Wikkid moved back to Toronto, and Bach's dad eventually allowed Bach to move in with an aunt.[9]

Skid Row (1987–1996)[]

Skid Row initially formed in the mid-1980s with lead vocalist Matt Fallon fronting the group, and they began playing at various clubs around the New Jersey area. Fallon left the band in 1987, leaving Skid Row in search of a lead vocalist. Bach was spotted singing at rock photographer Mark Weiss's wedding by Jon Bon Jovi's parents, who subsequently approached him and suggested he get in touch with their son's friend, Dave Sabo, who was looking for a lead vocalist for his band.[10] Bach was wary of joining another US-based band after briefly being a member of Detroit's Madam X. Upon hearing Skid Row's demo tapes, however, Bach flew to New Jersey to audition and became the up-and-coming band's lead vocalist in early 1987.

Rachel Bolan (left) and Bach opening for Mötley Crüe in 1989

Skid Row achieved commercial success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with its first two albums Skid Row (1989) and Slave to the Grind (1991) certified multi-platinum, the latter of which reached number one on the Billboard 200. The band's third album Subhuman Race (1995) was also critically acclaimed.

In 1991, Bach was criticized for performing wearing a T-shirt reading "AIDS Kills Fags Dead". Later he claimed he wore it without reading it first; it had been thrown to him by a fan.[11]

In 1993, Bach shortly toured with Triumph after the release of their album Edge of Excess, providing lead vocals up until the band broke up later the same year. Following disagreements over musical material and infuriating Bolan, Bach was fired from the band in 1996. However, rumors circulated that he had left the band due to his other band-mates believing they should not play as an opening act for Kiss.[12][13] Band-mate Rachel Bolan also had a side project, a punk band Prunella Scales who were playing at the same time as the planned Kiss show. The rift between Bach and the other band members subsequently led to his leaving Skid Row.[14][15] Four years later, Skid Row was one of the opening acts for the 2000 Kiss Farewell Tour, without Bach.[16][17]

Broadway and other projects (1996–2006)[]

In 1996, Bach formed The Last Hard Men, with Frogs guitarist Jimmy Flemion, Breeders lead guitarist brought in to play bass Kelley Deal, and Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The group recorded a full-length eponymous album for Atlantic Records, who then opted not to release it. In 1998 it was released on Kelley Deal's label, Nice Records, with no fanfare and a very limited pressing of 1,000 CDs. This run may have been sold via mail order only.[citation needed]

In 1999, Bach released his debut solo album Bring 'Em Bach Alive!, his first release after his departure from Skid Row. Mainly a live album of Bach's Skid Row songs, it also presented five new studio recordings, including the single "Superjerk, Superstar, Supertears".

In 2000, Bach began performing in Broadway productions. He made his Broadway debut with the title role(s) in Jekyll & Hyde in April 2000. He also appeared as Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show in 2001. On November 28, 2001 Bach appeared at New York Steel, a benefit concert held in response to 9/11.[18]

In early 2002, he became the host of VH1's Forever Wild. In October of that year, Bach was signed to perform in the national touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing the title role alongside JCS veteran Carl Anderson.

A DVD video of live performances called Forever Wild was released in June 2004. That same year, he reprised the title role(s) in another showing of Jekyll and Hyde.[19]

In 2003, Bach tried out for Velvet Revolver before the band found Scott Weiland, but was turned down because, according to Slash, "We sounded like Skid Roses!" From 2003 to 2007, Bach had a recurring role on the WB television show Gilmore Girls as "Gil", the lead guitarist in Lane Kim's band, Hep Alien.[20] Members of Bach Tight Five (a project initiated by Bach in 2004, but dissolved shortly thereafter) lived with Bach and his family as documented on VH1's I Married ...Sebastian Bach, one of the "I Married ..." series. In 2005, Bach cooperated with Henning Pauly to be the singer on the Frameshift album called An Absence of Empathy, released in April 2005. He was recommended to Henning by Dream Theater's James LaBrie.

Bach performing in 2006

On May 12 and 14, 2006, at the Guns N' Roses' warmup show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, Bach joined Axl Rose on stage for the song "My Michelle"..... He joined Rose and the rest for a third time the following night (May 15) to sing "My Michelle" once again. He also joined them for their Pre-Download Festival show in the Apollo Hammersmith, London, singing My Michelle. Rose introduced Bach by saying that the two had rekindled their friendship in the previous week after 13 years of not speaking. On June 4, 9 & 11 he again joined Rose on stage at the 2006 Gods of Metal Festival (Milan), Download Festival in RDS Dublin and in Donington, respectively. On September 23, 2006, he joined Axl on stage once again at KROQ-FM's Inland Invasion festival in California for a rendition of "My Michelle".[citation needed]

SuperGroup and Angel Down (2006–2010)[]

Bach starred with Ted Nugent, Scott Ian, Jason Bonham and Evan Seinfeld on the VH1 show Supergroup in May 2006. The musicians formed a band called "Fist" which later in the show was changed to "Damnocracy" for the reality show, during which they lived in a mansion in Las Vegas for twelve days and created music.[21] He announced a partnership record label with EMI to jointly create a label owned by Bach, including his album Angel Down, which was released on November 20, 2007.[22][23] Bach also recorded backing vocals for the track "Sorry" on Guns N' Roses' long-delayed Chinese Democracy, which was released in November 2008.[24] He spent the summer of 2008 playing with Poison and Dokken.[25]

Bach was the winner of the second season of the CMT reality show, Gone Country.[26]

Kicking & Screaming and Sterling's departure (2010–2012)[]

Bach toured as an opening act for Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy Tour" 2009–2010, and performed "My Michelle" with Axl Rose in Quebec City on February 1, 2010. On January 5, 2011, he was featured on NBC's Jimmy Fallon Show in a live performance and a subsequent video of "We Are The Ducks", a power ballad written for University of Oregon Ducks, set to play in the BCS national championship game Monday, January 10, 2011. In 2011, Bach was interviewed by British metalcore band Asking Alexandria in the March/April issue of Revolver. The band are fans of Skid Row and covered two of their songs the preceding year of the interview.[27] The same year, Bach performed "Youth Gone Wild" with the band live at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards and Rock on the Range.[28] Bach was also filmed in their music video "Closure".

Bach provided the voice of Prince Triton, King Neptune's rebellious son, in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode, "SpongeBob and the Clash of Triton" in 2010. On June 15, 2011, Bach revealed the title of his upcoming solo album would be Kicking & Screaming. On July 8, 2011 track list, cover art and title of the first single were revealed. It was released September 27, 2011 for North America and worldwide and September 23, 2011 for Europe on Frontiers Records. On August 13, 2012, Nick Sterling was fired by Bach after refusing to sign an agreement to appear on an undisclosed TV show.[29]

Big Noize (2012–2013)[]

Formed in 2007, Big Noize was an All-Star band consisting in founder member and drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven & Hell) plus other "monsters" such as guitarist Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot), later replaced by George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), bassist Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne) and vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow). Turner was replaced by Bach for the Kavarna Rock festival on July 14, 2012 and for a tour to South America, starting in Chile on July 9, 2013.

Give 'Em Hell (2013–present)[]

Bach being interviewed in 2014

On April 30, 2013, Bach confirmed via Twitter that a new studio album was in the works. He went on to say that Bob Marlette would be returning as producer.[30] Bach had collaboration work for the upcoming album with John 5, Duff McKagan, and Steve Stevens. On January 13, 2014, Give 'Em Hell was announced with a prospective release date of April 22, 2014.[31] He also appeared in two Trailer Park Boys episodes from their 2014 season. In 2014, Bach completed his Give 'Em Hell tour and in 2015, Bach went on another tour titled the "18 and LIVE" tour.

In 2019, Bach toured behind the 30th anniversary of Skid Row's self-titled debut album, playing it live in its entirety.[32] On July 20, 2021, it was announced that Bach would be doing a tour in the fall for the 30th anniversary of Skid Row's Slave to the Grind.[33]

Personal life[]

At one time, Bach lived in Lincroft, New Jersey.[34][failed verification] In August 2011, his New Jersey home was damaged by Hurricane Irene and declared uninhabitable. Several Kiss and Skid Row artifacts (including Skid Row master tapes) were in the house, but none were damaged.[35] His father's art, comic books, and the Kiss gargoyles from their 1979 tour were also salvaged.[36]

In the mid-1980s, Bach began dating Maria Aquinar. The couple had a son, Paris, in 1988. Bach and Aquinar married in July 1992 and had another son, London, in 1994 and a daughter, Sebastiana, born in 2007. Bach and Aquinar split up in April 2010.[37] In December 2010, Bach began dating model Minnie Gupta. They were engaged in April 2012 but ended their engagement in late 2014.

On December 28, 2014, Bach became engaged to Suzanne Le after two months of dating. They married in August 2015 and currently live in Los Angeles.[38][39]

On July 13, 2017, Bach underwent "singing-related" hernia surgery.[40] He started to recover a month later and then explained that the operation was needed, "because [he] literally screamed [his] guts out."[41]

Solo band members[]

Current[]

  • Sebastian Bach – lead vocals (1999–present)
  • Bobby Jarzombek – drums (2005–present)
  • Rob De Luca – bass (2005–2012, 2014–present)
  • Brent Woods – lead and rhythm guitar (2014–present)

Former[]

  • Mark "Bam Bam" McConnell – drums (1997–2005)
  • Jimmy Flemion – guitar (1997–1999)
  • Larry Fisher– bass (1997–1999)
  • Richie Scarlet – guitar (1998–2002)
  • Anton Fig – drums (1998–2000)
  • Paul Crook – guitars (1999–2004)
  • Johnny Chromatic – rhythm and lead guitar (2004–2014)
  • Ralph Santolla – guitar (2004–2005)
  • Randall X. Rawlings – guitar (2004–2005)
  • Adam Albright – guitar (2004–2005)
  • Cheeze (né Brian Hall) – bass (2004–2005)
  • Mike Dover – drums (2004)
  • "Metal" Mike Chlasciak – guitar (2005–2008)
  • Steve Di Giorgio – bass guitar (2005–2007)
  • Nick Sterling – lead and rhythm guitar (2009–2012)
  • Jason Christopher – bass (2012–2014)
  • Jeff George – guitars (2012–2013)
  • Devin Bronson – guitar (2013–2014)

Discography[]

Main article: Sebastian Bach discography

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
1992 A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica Himself Joking backstage with Slash and Lars Ulrich, imitating MTV host Riki Rachtman, and former guitarist Dave Mustaine during 1992 stadium tour
1999 Final Rinse Buddy
2000 Point Doom Slim
2009 Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day Randy's customer/John (uncredited)
2010 Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage Himself
2012 Asking Alexandria: Through Sin and Self-Destruction Himself
2012 Rock of Ages Rocker Cameo
2013 Sebastian Bach: Kicking and Screaming and Touring Himself
2013 Yukon Kornelius Television film
2014 Swearnet: The Movie Himself
2016 Deserted Archer
2017 American Satan Himself (uncredited)

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Saturday Night Live Himself Episode: "Charles Barkley / Nirvana"
2000 MTV Cribs Himself
2001 Strange Frequency Grim Reaper Episode: "Don't Fear the Reaper"
2002 Never Mind the Buzzcocks Himself
2003–2007 Gilmore Girls Gil 13 episodes
2004 Kiss Loves You Himself
2006 Supergroup Himself 7 episodes
2007 Trailer Park Boys Himself 5 episodes
2007 Celebrity Rap Superstar Himself
2008 Robot Chicken Wildman
Martian Manhunter 		Voice
Episode: "They Took My Thumbs"
2008 Z Rock Himself Episode: "Paul and David Nearly Miss a Huge Gig"
2008–09 Gone Country Himself 8 episodes
2010 Celebrity Fit Club Himself 5 episodes
2010 SpongeBob SquarePants Triton Episode: "The Clash of Triton"
2011 Adults Only Shifty
2012 The Eric André New Year's Eve Spooktacular Himself
2013 Californication Tony (Dead Rock Star) Episode: "Dead Rock Stars"
2014 Trailer Park Boys Himself 2 episodes
2014 Sing Your Face Off Himself 6 episodes
2016 Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Gil 1 episode
2016 Trailer Park Boys: Out of the Park - Europe Himself 1 Episode
2017 Trailer Park Boys: Out of the Park - US Himself 1 Episode

Stage[]

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Jekyll & Hyde Dr. Henry Jekyll / Edward Hyde
2001 The Rocky Horror Show Riff Raff
2002–2003 Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus of Nazareth
2004 Jekyll & Hyde Dr. Henry Jekyll / Edward Hyde Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

References[]

  1. ^ "Rex Brown & Sebastian Bach". VH1.
  2. ^ , Wikipedia, October 22, 2020, retrieved October 22, 2020
  3. ^ , Wikipedia, October 22, 2020, retrieved October 22, 2020
  4. ^ , Wikipedia, October 22, 2020, retrieved October 22, 2020
  5. ^ BraveWords. "SEBASTIAN BACH Seeking Lost Family Portrait Painted By His Father". bravewords.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  6. ^ "'High Times' And High Notes: The Life Of Sebastian Bach". NPR.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. ^ "'High Times' And High Notes: The Life Of Sebastian Bach". NPR.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  8. ^ "Rocker Sebastian Bach recalls his Peterborough musical roots in new memoir 18 and Life on Skid Row". thepeterboroughexaminer.com. December 28, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  9. ^ Kid Wikkid’s Biography, Last.fm; accessed October 11, 2014.
  10. ^ Sebastian Bach profile, GossipRocks.com; accessed October 11, 2014.
  11. ^ Manes, Billy (January 9, 2003). "Columns Story – Rockin' out with Jesus". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  12. ^ "Sebastian Bach on his split from Skid Row". bravewords.com.
  13. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH On His Split From SKID ROW - "I Was 100% Fired From The Band"". bravewords.com.
  14. ^ Stevens, Michael (December 30, 2014). "Skid Row Sebastian Bach Engaged: Former Model Engaged To Bach On Birthday". NewsOXY. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  15. ^ Schwinden, Richard (June 15, 2013). "SKID ROW 1986-1998". Roseville Patch. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  16. ^ "Skid Row/Ted Nugent/ KISS - Jones Beach June 9th 2000". KISS Asylum. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  17. ^ "Skid Row". High Tide Concerts. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  18. ^ "New York Steel Raises the Roof". Gibson. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  19. ^ "Sebastian Bach/Kate Shindle Make October Return to Jekyll & Hyde in North Carolina". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  20. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH On How He Landed Role on Gilmore Girls". Brave Words. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  21. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH Says DAMNOCRACY Ended Up With 'More Ideas Than We Had Time To Record'". Blabbermouth. March 13, 2006. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  22. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH Inks 'New-Model' Record Deal with MEROVINGIAN MUSIC". Blabbermouth. July 23, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  23. ^ "Sebastian Bach - Angel Down". Last FM. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  24. ^ "Chinese Democracy". Guns'n'Roses. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  25. ^ "Poison "Live, Raw & Uncut Tour" with Dokken & Sebastian Bach". Metal Sludge. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  26. ^ "Cast Announced for Season Two of Gone Country". CMT. May 6, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  27. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (2011). "Rebel Meets Rebels" Danny Worsnop and Ben Bruce interview Sebastian Bach". Revolver: 48–52. ISSN 1527-408X.
  28. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH Performs With ASKING ALEXANDRIA At ROCK ON THE RANGE (Video)". Blabbermouth. May 24, 2011. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  29. ^ "Sebastian Bach Fires Young Guitarist". Ultimate-Guitar.
  30. ^ Twitter/sebastianbach: NEW STUDIO ALBUM UPDATE
  31. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH: New Solo Album Title Revealed". BlabberMouth. January 13, 2014.
  32. ^ "Sebastian Bach to Perform Skid Row's Debut Album in Entirety on Tour". Loudwire.
  33. ^ "Sebastian Bach announces Fall 2021 . . Tour". Blabbermouth.net. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  34. ^ "KISS PUCKERS UP FOR THE '90S: THE GHOULISH POP-METAL BAND IS BACK, WOWING THREE GENERATIONS AT ONCE", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 1, 1996; accessed March 5, 2011. "But Sebastian Bach, the lead singer of Skid Row, is jumping around the backstage area of Tiger Stadium as if his heroes were in full swing. Bach has driven all the way from his home in Red Bank, N.J., and is clearly stoked for the return of one of the most flamboyant acts in rock."
  35. ^ "Sebastian Bach Wikipedia Fact or Fiction June 1, 2016". Loudwire.com. June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  36. ^ Needles, Tim. "Sebastian Bach talks Life after Skid Row, his new album Kicking & Screaming, and much more". Short and Sweet NYC. Short and Sweet NYC. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  37. ^ "How DAVID DRAIMAN Introduced SEBASTIAN BACH To His Wife". Blabbermouth.net. March 21, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  38. ^ Hyman, Vicki (January 21, 2016). "Skid Row's Sebastian Bach sells Lincroft home, says Jersey 'haunted' for him now". NJ.com. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  39. ^ "Sebastian Bach Finally Sells Former New Jersey Home". bravewords.com. January 21, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  40. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH To Undergo 'Singing-Related' Surgery". Blabbermouth.net. July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  41. ^ "SEBASTIAN BACH Is 'Starting To Feel Normal Again' After Undergoing Hernia Operation". Blabbermouth.net. August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.

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