Former SKID ROW frontman Erik Grönwall has unveiled the official music video for his new solo single, "Born To Break," the first taste of his forthcoming album, "Bad Bones," slated for release on May 22. Grönwall, renowned globally for his formidable vocal prowess and captivating stage presence, brings his extensive experience from fronting prominent bands like SKID ROW and H.E.A.T., as well as his tenure providing lead vocals for guitar legend Michael Schenker on tours across Europe and Japan, to his deeply personal solo endeavor. "Bad Bones" marks a significant turning point, with Grönwall shifting his creative focus inward, exploring original material that is described as honest, powerful, and profoundly personal, representing a return to the very core of songwriting.
A New Chapter: "Bad Bones" and the Artist’s Own Narrative
In a statement accompanying the single’s release, Grönwall articulated the impetus behind "Bad Bones": "I’ve had the honor of fronting some great bands, but now it’s time to tell my own story. ‘Bad Bones’ is about owning who you are and not apologizing for it. I’ve always walked my own path, no matter what people thought. I’ve never followed the norm – and I’m not about to start now." This sentiment underscores the album’s theme of self-acceptance and individuality, a narrative that has been central to Grönwall’s career trajectory.
The tracklist for "Bad Bones" has been revealed as follows:
- Born To Break
- Bad Bones
- Praying For A Miracle
- Who’s The Winner
- Lost For Life
- Twisted Lullaby
- Save Me
- Hell & Back
- How High
- Written In The Scars
From Band Dynamics to Solo Expression: Grönwall’s Creative Evolution
In a recent interview with Roppongi Rocks’ Stefan Nilsson, Grönwall elaborated on the genesis of "Bad Bones," a project he undertook with his producer and former H.E.A.T. bandmate, Jona Tee. He explained, "It was just one of those things that I’ve built my career in bands, I’ve loved being in bands, but I also asked myself, who am I as a songwriter when I release my own music?" Grönwall contrasted this with a previous solo album released after his appearance on the competition show "Swedish Idol," which he described as more of a "Sony Music’s album," lacking the personal depth and artistic control he sought. "And to be fair against the people I worked with then, and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do either. So it was kind of, like, ‘Okay, you have a guy who can sing stuff, probably. What do we do? Maybe this.’ And then we just put it out there. And it was way too fast. We put it out just to get it out for people to shop for Christmas. So, yeah, it wasn’t from the heart. But now it is. And I’ve never been prouder of an album than I am right now."
Grönwall detailed the meticulous process behind "Bad Bones," emphasizing the time and experimentation involved. "I’ve really taken the time, and Jona has been next to me. And I’ve been experimenting. I’ve been soul searching, like, ‘What if we do this? No, that doesn’t feel right. This, no. Okay.’ And then I realized that who I am as an artist is everything I’ve done so far, combined – H.E.A.T., SKID ROW, Michael Schenker. It’s not that hard. It’s rock and roll. If you can count to four, you can do rock and roll. 1, 2, 3, 4 – it’s done. That’s all you need." This perspective highlights his integrated approach to his musical identity, drawing from diverse experiences.
A Health Battle and a Controversial Departure: The SKID ROW Chapter
Grönwall’s tenure with SKID ROW, which began in early 2022, was bookended by significant personal health challenges. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021, he underwent a bone marrow transplant. Speaking about his decision to join SKID ROW just five months after this life-altering procedure, Grönwall revealed the precariousness of the timing. "For me, it was an obvious ‘yes’ [when I was asked to join SKID ROW], but I think what people have to understand is that I got the question five months after my bone marrow transplant against leukemia. [I had a] new immune system, new blood type – [I went through] a total reset of the immune system. I weighed 55 kilos [around 121 pounds] after all the chemo. And I got the question. If the question came a month before, earlier, a month earlier than that, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. So it was perfect timing, but still the worst timing." He stressed that his decision was contingent on medical approval, stating, "If my doctor says no, I’m not gonna do it. Because… health always comes first."
His connection to SKID ROW began much earlier, with his audition for "Swedish Idol" in 2009 featuring a rendition of SKID ROW’s iconic "18 And Life." Grönwall described the surreal experience of fronting the band he grew up listening to. "SKID ROW has been one of those fans that I’ve been listening to when I grew up. I love the band. I had a lot of fun in that band, but it was really hard for me to… Here I am doing what I love, my dream, and I get to do it with one of the bands that I grew up listening to. And it was just so surreal. And I did the ’18 And Life’ when I auditioned for ‘Idol’ and it was just, like, ‘Is this happening? It’s surreal.’ But at the same time, I had this voice in my head saying, ‘Health first, health first.’ You gotta respect the guy who went through all the shit at the hospital, the guy who fought for his life. You have to stand up for that guy now. And I felt like it was really hard to say ‘no’ to touring and to doing shows, because you don’t wanna be that guy. You don’t wanna be the typical singer."
The eventual departure from SKID ROW, approximately two years later, was framed as a difficult but necessary choice driven by health management. Grönwall stated, "It was harder. It was really hard. And also because I had a really good time in the band and still have a lot of respect and love for the guys." He clarified that his request was not to cease touring entirely, but to incorporate a more manageable schedule. "I wasn’t saying ‘no’ to touring completely. I was just saying I need a month off at home in between tours. Just ’cause I was still doing checkups at the hospital and I still do it. I actually have one in February coming up. So I kind of felt like I was everywhere and I didn’t really take care of myself. And that became stressful because knowing what I’ve been through, and I don’t know what can happen if… It’s very unpredictable. Cancer is very unpredictable. So I just wanted to take care of myself, recuperate, have that time. I was still living in Sweden, so [I] just [wanted to] have that time to really take care of myself. So, [what I asked for was] one month off and three weeks on the road, one month off, three weeks on the road. But they are a touring band, and that didn’t work for them. And that’s completely fine. No hard feelings. That was just something I needed. And then that happened. I decided to take a step back and started doing more stuff on YouTube."
Divergent Perspectives on the Departure
The narrative surrounding Grönwall’s exit from SKID ROW has seen differing interpretations. In a November 2024 interview with Chris Akin Presents, SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo addressed Grönwall’s departure. Host Chris Akin noted that Grönwall’s explanation, which cited health management and a desire for a modified touring schedule, seemed "fishy" to some fans, especially in light of his immediate announcement of an autobiography and plans for a solo tour with Michael Schenker in 2025.
Bolan responded, "Well, I’ll put it this way: we understand exactly what you’re saying. And I’d be a liar if I said sometimes I don’t feel the same way. We were told exactly what he announced to the rest of the world via his YouTube channel. That’s exactly what we were told. That’s exactly what he sent in a text to Snake. I’m not gonna sit here and shit talk the guy because it’s not gonna do anything. But we had a really, really, really good thing going, and we’re here now." He further elaborated, "You’re not the first person to say this to any of us. We’ve all been DMed and a lot of fans thought think the same thing, and, like I said, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I thought the same thing at times, but we’re just going by what he told to us."
Sabo added, "Obviously, we had to postpone and cancel some shows. There was definitely some health issues with him while we were out there. But what Rachel is saying is 100 percent true. This is what we were told, and we made attempts to figure it out, how we could do this where we could cut way back on the touring, but it just wasn’t economically feasible for anybody – it just couldn’t be done. And, yeah, we had a really, really good situation, but he was the one who left."
The SKID ROW members also commented on Grönwall’s release of a demo version of a song titled "Can’t Kill What’s Dead," which Grönwall claimed he co-wrote with Jona Tee for potential inclusion on a new SKID ROW album while still a member. Bolan expressed surprise, stating, "Yeah, I heard the song for the first time in [Erik’s October 2024] post. So I’m not even sure what he was talking about." Sabo added, "That’s news to us. I mean, I guess we would have to play on it for it to be on a SKID ROW record." Bolan characterized Grönwall’s statement as "creative wording."
Reflecting on a Legacy and Future Horizons
Grönwall’s time with SKID ROW, though brief, was marked by the release of the album "The Gang’s All Here" in October 2022, which featured the single "The Gang’s All Here." The band’s first show with Grönwall took place on March 26, 2022, in Las Vegas. Grönwall has consistently expressed respect for his former bandmates, acknowledging the risk they took in bringing him into the fold, especially given his health situation. He also lauded original SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach, calling his vocal performance on "Slave To The Grind" one of the "top three best vocal performances of all time in rock and roll history."
Beyond his solo aspirations, Grönwall has maintained a prolific creative output. His autobiography, "Power – Music, Death, Life," was published in English in December 2024 by HarperCollins. His previous musical endeavors include nearly a decade with the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T., from which he departed in October 2020, and significant contributions to Michael Schenker’s recent albums, "My Years With UFO" (2024) and "Don’t Sell Your Soul" (2025), alongside extensive touring with the legendary guitarist. Grönwall’s multifaceted career also includes a notable appearance in NBC’s live broadcast of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 2018, portraying Simon Zealotes.
The release of "Born To Break" and the impending arrival of "Bad Bones" signal a pivotal moment for Erik Grönwall, allowing him to fully chart his own artistic course and share his unvarnished story with the world. His journey, marked by resilience, artistic integrity, and a powerful vocal delivery, continues to resonate with fans across the global rock music landscape.