Today, I’m celebrating the anniversary of United World Rebellion: Chapter One, Skid Row’s comeback EP that dropped on April 16, 2013.
Why?
Because I grew up blasting Skid Row in the ‘80s, and when I heard they were dropping an EP after years of silence, I was pumped.
And let me tell you…I wasn’t disappointed. This was the best thing they’d put out since Slave to the Grind and leagues better than Revolutions per Minute (no offense to those fans).
This EP had bite. It was raw, gritty, and dripping with the same no-BS attitude that made Skid Row icons. Johnny Solinger, who had been fronting the band since ‘99, delivered a hell of a performance. He gave fans that dirty, rebellious spirit we all missed. (Though, fun fact—this was his second-to-last recording before he got fired. I heard there were no hard feelings. Can’t say the same about Sebastian Bach.)
Short and sweet—just 20 minutes of pure rock:
“Kings of Demolition” kicks things off like a sledgehammer to the face; it’s loud, unapologetic, and soaked in attitude. You can practically smell the sweat and leather. But Skid Row wasn’t just about heavy riffs. “This Is Killing Me” brought that signature Skid Row vulnerability, the kind that makes you want to hit the road and leave your troubles behind. And “Get Up”? That’s the track that will have you ready to conquer the damn day.
Some ‘80s bands struggled to stay relevant…but not Skid Row. They doubled down on what made them great: attitude, killer riffs, and that irresistible urge to raise your fist and scream along.
And yeah, there’s always the Sebastian vs. Johnny debate, but honestly—who the hell cares?
If you missed this EP when it dropped, do yourself a favor: crank it up, let the riffs hit you, and remember the Skid Row sounds you knew from the ’80s. United World Rebellion proved they still had plenty of fight left (especially with the second chapter released the next year).
Rock on, Skid Row. We’re still listening.
Sam
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