Youth Gone Wild

The Zoo Crew is spinning the rebellious anthem "Youth Gone Wild" by Skid Row from their self-titled debut album, and this track has some wild stories behind it. The song, released in January 1989, became a defining moment for the band, capturing the angst and defiance of youth with its gritty riffs and gang-style backing vocals. Former frontman Sebastian Bach has shared that "Youth Gone Wild" was his favorite from the demo cassette sent to him by the band before he joined, inspiring him to get the song’s title tattooed on his arm before they even had a record deal. Bach saw the song as a powerful anthem, comparing its cultural impact to The Who’s "My Generation," a sentiment echoed by bassist Rachel Bolan, who noted in the liner notes for 40 Seasons that it became a generational rallying cry, spawning comic books and compilation records named after it. The music video for the song received heavy rotation on MTV, though as a single, it only reached #99 on the Billboard Hot 100, overshadowed by later hits like "18 and Life."

Another juicy piece of trivia comes from the band’s early days on tour. During a 1989 performance, Bach hurled a bottle from the stage, accidentally injuring a 17-year-old female fan, leading to his arrest and a $10,000 bail. This incident, captured on fan footage, cemented the song’s raw, rebellious energy as more than just lyrics but a lifestyle for the band. Bach also stirred controversy that year by wearing a T-shirt with the offensive slogan "AIDS Kills Fags Dead" after a fan threw it onstage, a decision he later regretted, clarifying he does not support homophobia. Despite these hiccups, "Youth Gone Wild" remains a fan favorite, covered by bands like HammerFall and Asking Alexandria, and was re-released in 1992 with a live version of Judas Priest’s "Delivering the Goods" as its B-side, charting at #22 in the UK.

Skid Row got their start in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey, when guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo and bassist Rachel Bolan met at a local guitar store where Sabo worked. The two bonded over their love for heavy metal and punk, forming the band’s core with a vision to blend raw energy with catchy hooks. Sabo, who briefly played in Bon Jovi during its early days, leveraged his connection with Jon Bon Jovi to get a foot in the door. After cycling through early vocalists, the band found Sebastian Bach in 1987 through a serendipitous encounter at rock photographer Mark Weiss’ wedding, where Bon Jovi’s parents saw Bach perform and recommended him. Bach, then using his birth name Sebastian Bierk, was a lanky, powerful-voiced teen fronting smaller metal bands like Madam X. The lineup was completed with guitarist Scotti Hill and drummer Rob Affuso, and after signing with Bon Jovi’s manager Doc McGhee and Atlantic Records, they recorded their debut album in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with producer Michael Wagener. The album’s success, driven by singles like "Youth Gone Wild," propelled them to stardom, opening for Bon Jovi and Aerosmith on massive tours.

Fans can connect with Skid Row through their official Facebook page, Instagram account, and X profile, where they share updates on tours and new music. The band’s official website offers merch and tour dates, keeping the Zoo Freaks in the loop. For those craving deeper fan engagement, the Skid Row Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant community where fans swap stories, photos, and memories. While independent fan sites have waned since the early 2000s, the band’s official social media and fan groups keep the spirit of "Youth Gone Wild" alive for new and longtime fans alike.