SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan has given a progress update on the band's ongoing search for a new lead vocalist, confirming that they've received more than 300 video submissions through their partnership with online music retailer Sweetwater — and are now moving into live, in-person audition phases.
"There's a few guys that have really piqued our interest, for sure," Bolan confirmed. The remaining members — Bolan, guitarists Dave "Snake" Sabo and Scotti Hill, and drummer Rob Hammersmith — are bringing shortlisted candidates in for multi-day sessions to assess not just raw vocal ability, but live chemistry and personal compatibility. All four members must reach unanimous agreement on any choice.
The band isn't rushing. With no tours currently booked and no recording sessions underway, there's no external pressure forcing a decision. "We have the luxury of time on our side," Bolan noted.
The vacancy opened in March 2024 when Erik Grönwall stepped down citing ongoing health challenges following his 2021 leukemia diagnosis. Grönwall was the fourth frontman since Sebastian Bach's departure in 1996, following Johnny Solinger and Tony Harnell. The new vocalist will inherit enormous shoes — and an intensely passionate fanbase.
SKID ROW remain one of the most beloved bands of the late-80s metal era. Their 1991 album Slave To The Grind stands as a genuine landmark of the genre. Whoever wins this audition will step into one of rock and metal's most storied legacies. The process is patient, thorough, and exactly as serious as it should be.