Skid Row

THE FRONT ROW

THE FRONT ROW

With multi-platinum selling albums, worldwide stadium tours and Billboard Hot 100 charting singles, Skid Row needs no introduction. Starting in New Jersey in 1986, it’s been one hell of a ride to the top with a few line-up changes in between. The guys have found their ultimate frontman in Swedish singer/songwriter Erik Gronwall. HRH Mag’s GlamRat was lucky enough to grab Erik for a rare down day in between touring across America for a quick catch-up.

Hi Erik - how are you doing? You’ve got a show in Reno soon, right?

I’m in Nashville right now so it’s 11:30 am. We’ve got one show in Reno on Friday and then I’m flying back to Sweden and spending a couple of days there. Then back to the states again and then back to Europe again, (laughs) it’s a lot of travelling back and forth.

You have been so busy left right and centre. The last time we chatted you liked to unwind with martial arts and books, do you get time to do those things still in between flying around the globe?

It’s hard to keep up with the martial arts when we’re touring, it’s really hard to keep up with and it’s something I really miss. For reading, I’ve downloaded an app so I can keep up. I do listen to a lot of books now because I like to get into a good mindset, learn new things but sitting down and reading a book… it has been a while.

Skid Row are coming over in October, starting your UK tour at KK Steel Mill on 19th October and ending in Norwich on 18th November. You haven’t been to the UK in a long time, as in yourself not just the band?

I know I know! God, I think it was when H.E.A.T opened for Skid Row in 2018, that’s pretty incredible! I never thought about that (sigh)

Yeah, we like a good drink over here!

You guys never stop!

There is no point in stopping, or you will get a hangover.

Exactly! Just keep drinking!

You are playing at Hard Rock Hell 15 on 4th November!

Yes, we are, you know the schedule better than I do (laughs). We have so many shows in the UK mainly because even for H.E.A.T, not just Skid Row. We (I) have so many great fans and a loyal following in the UK, it’s a great support!

Skid Row are here for a whole month with a gig almost every other day, that’s pretty intense.

Yeah, we wanted to keep it that way especially since we’re releasing the new album, do as much as possible and make sure people have the chance to hear it live. It’s an intense month but it is all well-planned.

You’ve always said Skid Row was one of your favourite bands, so for you to then be recording in the same room with your idols and performing on stage with them, how has that been for you?

I’m still processing it (laughs). Everything happened so fast! I was on stage, as the singer of Skid Row, 6 months after my bone marrow transplant, after my leukaemia!

The fans have been really accepting. Many fans (including myself) across the world know you from H.E.A.T (among other things) and we know your vocal capability, but for American fans, you were quite new to them.

Do you feel like the fans have accepted you?

Absolutely! You will always have people who want the original lineup, and I totally get that and respected it. I have certain bands that I think, oh it would be cool to have the original lineup. Having people so interested in the band and talking about the band, it’s a privilege that many bands would kill or die for. I realise people come to the shows and expect to see the original lineup after 30 years and I see that when I come out on stage. Those people are really listening and observing, it takes like two songs before I get them. Then they relax and enjoy the show more. The more songs we do, the more relaxed fans become.

You have the new album coming out on 14th October, do you have a particular song that you think, yeah, I’ve nailed it there?

One of my favourites is “Not Dead Yet”, that’s a great old school classic Skid Row song, I love singing it! It was one of the songs I had an easy time with. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I recorded it in a day. The more challenging song that I think is a great song is “October Song”, it was hard for me because you must keep it dynamic, telling a story, and keeping it interesting for the listener as it is 7 minutes long. It was challenging but I am happy with the result. I redid it a couple of times, a few weeks to record it, to be honest, whereas “Not Dead Yet” took

What are you going to do once this tour is over? Are you going to go on vacation, spend a bit more time at home or are you going to keep this train rolling? What do you think you need to do?

We have January, February, and March - our first gig in the new year isn’t until March. I’m just going to go home, spend time with the family and then we’re going to keep going. The album will be out, so we’re going to do more shows. Just keep going, but I need a small vacation.

Is there anything you would like to say to your fans in the UK?

Oh, hell yeah! I always have a good time in the UK! I want to thank you all for your support! Especially since my second show with H.E.A.T was in the UK at Firefest, and you guys have been supportive since that day. I love just drinking beer with you guys and coming back with Skid Row is going to be even more incredible. It’s next level, looking forward to seeing you guys.

I would like to say tack så mycket

Varsågod!

We look forward to seeing you in October and November! Erik is on tour with Skid Row in the UK starting the 18th of October through to the 18th November. The new album The Gang’s All Here is available from 14th October. Catch Skid Row at HRH 15 on 4th November 2022.

Words: Charlotte Simpkin Photo Credit: Jenny Risher Cover Photo: Chuck Arlund