Skid Row: hair metal survivors

Skid Row — performing at McGuffy’s House of Rock, 5418 Burkhardt Road, in Dayton, at 8 p.m. Friday — had a short run at the top of the charts in the waning days of hair metal in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, despite changes in members, musical tastes and listening habits, the group continues to rock.

Skid Row scored quick success with its self-titled, multiplatinum-selling debut album in 1989 and the follow-up LP, “Slave to the Grind,” in 1991. However, the release of game-changing 1992 album “Nevermind” from Nirvana literally altered the popular musical landscape. Grunge was in, metal was out and acts like Skid Row were scrambling. The group broke up in 1996.

While Sebastian Bach (vocals) turned his focus to acting, founding members Spider Sabo (guitar), Rachel Bolan (bass) and Scotti Hill (guitar) reformed Skid Row in 1999 with Johnny Solinger (vocals) and Dave Gara (drums). The new lineup headed out for a successful opening slot on the KISS “farewell” tour the following year.

In 2003, Skid Row released “Thickskin,” its first album of new material in eight years. “Revolutions Per Minute” followed in 2006. While the group has continued to tour, things have been quiet on the recording front. That has changed. In April, Skid Row released “United World Rebellion Chapter One,” the first of a three-part series of EPs slated for release over an 18-month period.

Doors open Friday at 7 p.m. Cost: $25. Crosley Court and Heroes of Time will also perform. Call (937) 256-3005 or visit www.mcguffy’s.net or www.skidrow.com.

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