Sebastian Bach Doesn’t Mind Bands Using Backing Tracks, As Long As They’re Old
When is it appropriate for bands to rely on backing tracks during live gigs? For some, it’s never acceptable, while others find it’s a morally gray question. Ask ex-Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, and you’ll find it’s less a talent question and more about age.
During a recent appearance on Rocktails with Ahmet Zappa (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), Bach was discussing the apparent rumors running around that KISS was using playback tracks during some concerts. And while he says he’s a massive KISS superfan, Bach said he was willing to give the now (allegedly) retired rock band a lot of slack, given how old they are and what they’re trying to do on stage.
“We live in a world now where technology is taking over, and so many bands rely on backing tracks. It’s well known. That’s the way it is now. My position on that… I always hear people, Paul Stanley of KISS is using a backing track. And my thing is Paul Stanley has given us all fucking 50 years of entertainment. All he’s trying to do is keep doing it one more time. The dude is in his 70s. He has to put on foot-high platform boots, makeup, make his body fucking skinny and rock. He has to strap himself on to wires and fly across the arena. My mom is 82 — I love my mom. I can’t see her strapping on boots and spitting blood and breathing fire.”
When KISS finally called it quits this past December, the band announced that the show would go on thanks to digital avatars. And honestly, that’s probably for the best since Paul Stanley was 71, Gene Simmons was 74, Eric Singer was 65, and Tommy Thayer was 63 when they closed out the band’s final show in Madison Square Garden.
If they were to continue in person, Bach reiterated that a band like KISS would be totally fine using backing tracks to get through a show.
“My point is if Paul Stanley or somebody in their 70s, if somebody that is older is trying to put on a entertainment show and they need some technology to help them get through it, and they’re that old, I don’t mind that. What I do mind is having a band that’s 23 open for me that doesn’t even try to fucking do the singing or the backgrounds; they’re just gonna run that shit. That’s ridiculous to me. But if you’ve got, like, Phil Collins in a fucking wheelchair, give him a break. My point is have some respect for all that these guys have done. That’s the way I look at it.”
At 55 years old himself, Bach isn’t exactly the young man he once was. That being said, the dude can still sing his balls off, so by his logic, he won’t need backing tracks for a loooong time still.
So what do you guys think? Should backing tracks be okay for older rockers or do you think that’s a sign to hang it up? Let us know below.
