Sebastian Bach

Sebastian Philip Bierk (born April 3, 1968), known professionally as Sebastian Bach, is a Canadian singer-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.

Sebastian Bach
Bach in March 2012
Background information
Birth nameSebastian Philip Bierk
Born (1968-04-03) April 3, 1968
Freeport, Bahamas
OriginPeterborough, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1983–present
LabelsFrontiers, Universal
Associated acts

Early years

Bach was born in the Bahamas and was raised in Peterborough, Ontario.[1]

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.[2][3]

Bach was one of eight children.[4] His brother Zac Bierk is an ice hockey player.[5]

He 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 8 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]

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.

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. That October that same 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]

Sometime 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.

On May 12 and May 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".

SuperGroup and Angel Down (2006–2010)

Bach live at Norway Rock Festival in 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]

    Personal life

    At one time, he lived in Lincroft, New Jersey.[33] 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.[34] His father's art, comic books, and the KISS gargoyles from their 1979 tour were also salvaged.[35]

    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 divorced in September 2010. 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, California.[36][37]

    On July 13, 2017, Bach underwent "singing-related" hernia surgery.[38] He started to recover a month later and then explained that the operation was needed, "because [he] literally screamed [his] guts out."[39]

    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

    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. "David Bierk", Wikipedia, 2020-10-22, retrieved 2020-10-22
    3. BraveWords. "SEBASTIAN BACH Seeking Lost Family Portrait Painted By His Father". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
    4. "David Bierk", Wikipedia, 2020-10-22, retrieved 2020-10-22
    5. "David Bierk", Wikipedia, 2020-10-22, retrieved 2020-10-22
    6. "'High Times' And High Notes: The Life Of Sebastian Bach". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
    7. "'High Times' And High Notes: The Life Of Sebastian Bach". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
    8. "Rocker Sebastian Bach recalls his Peterborough musical roots in new memoir 18 and Life on Skid Row". thepeterboroughexaminer.com. 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
    9. Kid Wikkid’s Biography, Last.fm; accessed October 11, 2014.
    10. Sebastian Bach profile, GossipRocks.com; accessed October 11, 2014.
    11. Manes, Billy (2003-01-09). "Columns Story – Rockin' out with Jesus". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
    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 (30 December 2014). "Skid Row Sebastian Bach Engaged: Former Model Engaged To Bach On Birthday". NewsOXY. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
    15. Schwinden, Richard (15 June 2013). "SKID ROW 1986-1998". Roseville Patch. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
    16. "Skid Row/Ted Nugent/ KISS - Jones Beach June 9th 2000". KISS Asylum. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
    17. "Skid Row". High Tide Concerts. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
    18. "New York Steel Raises the Roof". Gibson. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
    19. "Sebastian Bach/Kate Shindle Make October Return to Jekyll & Hyde in North Carolina". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
    20. "SEBASTIAN BACH On How He Landed Role On Gilmore Girls". Brave Words. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
    21. "SEBASTIAN BACH Says DAMNOCRACY Ended Up With 'More Ideas Than We Had Time To Record'". Blabbermouth. 13 March 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
    22. "SEBASTIAN BACH Inks 'New-Model' Record Deal with MEROVINGIAN MUSIC". Blabbermouth. 23 July 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
    23. "Sebastian Bach - Angel Down". Last FM. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
    24. "Chinese Democracy". Guns'n'Roses. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
    25. "Poison "Live, Raw & Uncut Tour" with Dokken & Sebastian Bach". Metal Sludge. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
    26. "Cast Announced for Season Two of Gone Country". CMT. 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
    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. Retrieved 9 May 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.
    32. "Sebastian Bach to Perform Skid Row's Debut Album in Entirety on Tour". Loudwire.
    33. "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."
    34. "Sebastian Bach Wikipedia Fact or Fiction June 1, 2016". Loudwire.com. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
    35. 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.
    36. Hyman, Vicki (2016-01-21). "Skid Row's Sebastian Bach sells Lincroft home, says Jersey 'haunted' for him now". NJ.com. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
    37. "Sebastian Bach Finally Sells Former New Jersey Home". bravewords.com. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
    38. "SEBASTIAN BACH To Undergo 'Singing-Related' Surgery". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
    39. "SEBASTIAN BACH Is 'Starting To Feel Normal Again' After Undergoing Hernia Operation". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
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