By: Michael Drukarsh
Toronto, Ontario - The last time I saw Sebastian Bach in concert was with Skid Row when they opened up for Bon Jovi at the CNE Grandstand on June 2, 1989. It’s 35 years later and I didn’t know what to expect.
Before Bach took the stage, the ever growing Phoenix Concert Theatre crowd were treated to two opening acts. The first, Lear Haven, out of Oshawa, brought a groovy, almost psychedelic feel to the stage with their short set. The songs were good but didn’t really seem to connect with the audience and it didn’t really help that the lead singer continually reminded the audience that they were there to see Sebastian Bach.
Next up, Kurt Deimer, who brought a lot more energy to the stage with a very Limp Bizkit feel to their set. Lead singer and band namesake Kurt Deimer was very grateful to be performing in Toronto for the very first time and brought a lot of positivity to the Phoenix with songs of hope and messages of love and respect throughout the set. Oh, and he made sure to mention that he was in three movies including 2018 Halloween where he was killed by “THE” Michael Myers and that the band's debut album will be coming out in April, 2025.
And then, things were turned up to 11! Ex Skid Row (we’re talking 28 years ago ex) lead singer Sebastian Bach exploded onto the stage for a night of 80s nostalgia.
I say nostalgia because despite having released four solo albums, including his latest, Child Within The Man that this tour is supporting, Bach’s set list features only four songs from the new album, show opener “What Do I Got to Lose”, "Freedom”, “Everybody Bleeds”, and “(Hold on) To the Dream”. The rest of the set comes from Skid Row including MuchMusic hits “18 and Life” and “I Remember You”. The only evidence of the new album was the cover represented on the bass drum head while the entire backdrop gave a nod to 1991’s Slave to the Grind.
That is not to say this is a bad thing. From the moment Bach hit the stage the energy was electric. The crowd went wild from his very first headbang and Bach never let up, sharing stories and connecting with the crowd throughout the show. This being a long awaited return to Toronto, Bach seemed to be extra excited, sharing stories of coming to the Phoenix when it was still the Diamond Club way back in the mid 80s when he was underage but wearing more makeup than Tammy Faye. His return also was a family affair with Bach introducing his mother and Aunt Leslie who were in the crowd and crediting his aunt for allowing his early years to be filled with Elvis Presley music.
Speaking of family, Bach's son Paris was on drums and I don’t think you could have found a prouder poppa anywhere else that night. During the intro to “I Remember You” Bach paid tribute to several artists and music insiders and sang bits and pieces of each legend's song. When it came to Neil Peart of Rush, Bach warned his son that if he didn’t do it justice, he would be mowing the lawn. Thankfully Paris had nothing to worry about. The pride Bach had as his son pounded the skins was heartwarming and then he looked at the audience, pointed back to his son and mouthed “that’s my son”. It was a moment of magic.
The rest of the band, featuring guitarist Brody DeRozie, bass player Clay Eubank and did a fantastic job matching Bach’s high energy on stage.
After the second song of the night, “Slave to the Grind”, Bach had to catch his breath, noting, at 56, the song does kick his ass. But, by show closer, “Youth Gone Wild”, which was released 35 years ago when Bach was 21 and in fact a youth gone wild, there was no doubt that he had held on to his wild side. Unlike many of his contemporaries he has, for the most part, kept his vocals in check and his body in shape and was very happy to announce that his show has no “computers”, “backing tracks” or “click tracks”. “We may not be perfect”, he said, “We were pretty damn good.” In my opinion, they were way better than pretty damn good!
CONCERT PHOTO GALLERY
Sebastian Bach Online
show date: October 24, 2024
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