PHOTOGRAPHS | REVIEW BY: NADINE SWIGER

It was a night of straight up, good ol’ rock n roll when the legendary rockers Skid Row blew up the stage at Hanna Park in Utica NY,  headlining this year’s “Taste of Utica” festival. In true American style, they grabbed the crowds attention when they blasted our national anthem through the speakers. With the last note, the stage lights kicked on and Skid Row lite up the crowd with the ear splitting “Big Guns”. No matter if you see them in a large arena, a club or an open field stage, there is no doubt that Skid Row kicks ass and draws their fans into the show with amazing band/crowd interaction. With over 20 years worth of material, where do you begin to make a set list? Yet, the set list was perfect! It was timeless to hear them play all the favorite old school Skid Row classics like “Piece of Me”, “Sweet Little Sister”, “18 to Life”, “Monkey Business” and “Slave To The Grind”. They have a sound that clearly was before their time. The set also included songs from their latest albums, “Thickskin” and “Revolutions Per Minute” which are equally matched to the older tunes.

At one point in the evening, bassist Rachel Bolan reminisced with the crowd about how he grew up about 6hr south of Utica and how he usually only had 2 reasons to go to New York: One for the NY Yankees and Two for CGBG’s. From there, he dedicated the next song to the surviving member of the Ramones who are old friends and the band went into their cover of The Ramones song “Psycho Therapy,” which was released on Skid Row’s 1992 E.P., B-SIDES OURSELVES. They closed out the night with the song that started it all 23 years ago, their very first hit, “Youth Gone Wild”.

You can watch guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo and bassist Rachel Bolan in an interview MPJ did with them before their show here, where they look back at all they have accomplished in those early years while looking forward to Skid Row’s future. Plus learn about the other musical endeavors that they guys are involved with and more.

Skid Row’s guitarist, Scotti Hill had broke his hand earlier this year and was forced to miss several shows. Filling in was a good friend, Ryan Cook who is from the band Hair Of The Dog. Ryan played with Skid Row in the past when he filled in for a brief period for Dave Sabo in 2007.

As you choose to cool off with a Slush Puppy made with Wine, a local brewed Saranac beer or a maybe a glass of freshly squeezed Lemonade was your style, there was much to see at the 2011 “Taste of Utica”. The festival showcased the best things that Central New York has to offer, as you could grab a bite to eat from the numerous local restaurants that were on hand. Watkins Glen had race cars on display as well as a simulated vehicle. Hands down, the best part of the whole festival, was Utica’s classic rock station, WOUR ‘s  featured entertainment: Skid Row!  Hanna Park will never be the same.

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PHOTO GALLERIES:

* SKID ROW :: PHOTO GALLERY

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For more information on:

SKID ROW : skidrow.com

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