SKID ROW's RACHEL BOLAN: 'Bands Should Be Kissing Fans' Asses'

SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan told LehighValleyLive.com in a new interview that his band enjoys playing more intimate venues instead of having time off while on tour.

"We choose to play small places," he said. "It beats a day off. It's memorable for us and memorable for the fans who come see us."

He added: "Bands should be kissing fans' asses. We play everywhere."

Bolan also spoke about SKID ROW's decision to release a trilogy of EPs. The first, "United World Rebellion: Chapter One", came out in 2013, while the second, "Rise Of The Damnation Army - United World Rebellion: Chapter Two", is due on August 5.

"In this day and age, it's not easy for some SKID ROW fans to go out and throw down 10 or 15 bucks for a new (full-length album)," Bolan said. "(Releasing the EPs) makes it easier on them. ... There's also a lot less pressure to write 10 songs and pick five."

According to Rachel, SKID ROW approached the songwriting process for its new material the same way that it did its classic albums — by doing what came naturally.

"For about a year, I only listened to the music that influenced me growing up," Bolan said. "Granted, there is a lot of great stuff out there but it's not us. ... At first it was kind of tough. We kept coming up with these riffs, great riffs, but they weren't our signature (sound). We could write songs all day but it's not a SKID ROW song until it gets to the band and gets their feeling and creativity. Then the floodgates just opened from a creative standpoint."

"Rise Of The Damnation Army - United World Rebellion: Chapter Two" will contain covers of QUEEN and AEROSMITH classics as bonus tracks.

In a recent interview with Icon Vs. Icon, SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo spoke about the band's mindset while writing the new material. "I think we have also gotten to the point that we are so appreciative of what we have and are so thankful," he said. "We are really humbled by it all. I think with that comes a respect for the audience and what the band has been able to do over the course of the past 28 years. There is a respect for the songwriting, along with a respect for each other.

"Rachel and I really became conscious of how fortunate we are. To still be songwriting partners, band members and best buds after all this time is really something. That doesn't get lost on us through this whole process. We are keenly aware of being present and in the moment. It sounds cliché, but when it really does happen, it is something truly incredible. I think we are just going to take that philosophy and presence of mind into the next release and create from there. It is a great sampling and a great place to be in when you are both on the same page with one and other. The results are something to behold."