They Tore My Intentions Apart

I've got a new theme song today, glam fans. Skid Row's "Slave to the Grind" pretty much sums it all up. Consider the lyrics:

"You got me forced to crack/
My lids in two.
I'm still stuck inside this rubber room/
I gotta punch the clock that/
Leads the blind.
I'm just another gear in the assembly/
Line - oh no."

And later:

"A routine injection, a lethal dose/
But my day in the sun ain't even close.
Theres no need to waste/
Your prayers on me.
You better mark my words/
cause I'm history."

The track appears on the album of the same name. Slave to the Grind is the first heavy metal album to hit the top spot on the Billboard chart.

Seething after a horrible work day, I was pleasantly surprised to find a countdown worth watching on VH1 Classic. Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach hosted to the Top 40 Metal Songs of All Time. Not surprisingly, "Slave to the Grind" is on the list, coming in at number 18.

If you're wondering, the music network considers Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" as the best Metal song of all time.

You see, dear readers, it really is true that you can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind. The fact makes the glam mistress wonder why so many of us slave (pardon the pun) away at daily jobs we hate, creating a miserable existence when our talents are wasted elsewhere.

A New Jersey band formed in 1986, Skid Row earned the acclaim and help of mega-star Jon Bon Jovi. Their first studio album -  simply called  Skid Row -  was released in 1989 and spawned the hits "18 and Life," I Remember You" and "Youth Gone Wild."

Of course, it seems all good things must come to an end and Bach was fired in 1996. Don't worry about Bach. He's been dabbling in music, television and Broadway. Most famously, he has a recurring role on the CW series The Gilmore Girls. Of course, you can learn more about Bach's current projects at www.myspace.com/sebastianblog.

The "new" Skid Row keeps the rock rolling with their most recent release Revolutions Per Minute. That disc hit stores on October 24, 2006.

The Vains of Jenna debut Lit Up/Let Down was released on the same date.  Coincidence? I think not. It's just merely one more sign that the revolution has begun.

["Slave to the Grind" lyrics by Bolan, Bach, Sabo. From the 1991 Atlantic Records release Slave to the Grind ]

Comments

[aXe mAn]

I agree!!
"Slave To The Grind" is a great album and a great song!!!
I seen that "Top 40 Metal Songs Of All Time"!!! I enjoyed it. It was interesting, even though I don't agree with some of it!!!
Sebastian Bach is one of, if not the best vocalist of all time!!! My favorite Skid Row album has to be their 1st one "Skid Row"!!
I am not a big fan of the new album. It is ok, but I like the Bach era the best!!

[Hard Rock Hideout]

Hi Allyson,
I feel the same way as you do. I need to be working in the music industry. I doubt few have the drive that we do to keep this music alive. I ought to be a beat writer for a magazine or something. Maybe someone will discover us all through Bring Back Glam, Hairball John, and the Hard Rock Hideout! :)

[Bill]

I've always thought their debut album was the best. My decision is a bit biased as I saw them 3 times supporting this album - their first UK show in front of 60000 at Milton Keynes Bowl supporting Bon Jovi, headlining with Vain in support in Liverpool when they played the album pretty much in full, then in a 3 band bill at the NEC with Motley Crue and White Lion!! Somehow Slave To The Grind didn't quite live up to my expectations but after that lot what would? Mind you I havn't heard it for ages so I much find a copy and revisit it soon.

Also I've started noticing quite a few mentions of Vains Of Jenna - Classic Rock Magazine did a piece on them recently...

Great piece Allyson.

[Metal Mark]

I prefer their debut as well.