Nick Walsh of Slik Toxik on Sebastian Bach and new band
Todd Houston: Hey Nick, thanks for taking time out to chat with us here in lovely Rockford Illinois (Home of Cheap Trick).
For those who don't know you're from Toronto Canada and were the singer for the very popular hard
rock Canadian band Slik Toxik. You guys eventually signed with EMI Records and released the album
"Doin the nasty" with Paul Gross producing in 1992. The album ended up winning the 1993 Juno Award
for "Best Rock Album of the Year" and In 1994 the band went on to sign with Strawberry records
releasing the album "Irrelevant".
Tell us what sticks out in your memory the most about the years 1988 through 1991 when you were
writing Slik Toxik's debut "Doin the nasty" (EMI Records)
Nick Walsh: Well, back then we were just young men filled with testosterone and ready to take on the world. (laughs)
I just remember feeling as though we were on a roll, as the riffs just kept pouring out. I would have ideas
daily and we seemed to spend more time in the rehearsal room than anywhere else. That was our life
back then.
Backing up a bit, what got you into music in the first place? Coming up in Toronto there certainly were
no shortage of influences for a young lad like yourself to absorb ( Rush, Triumph, Anvil, etc) Thoughts?
Well, It was actually hearing and seeing the image of KISS that was the defining moment. I bet if you ask a lot
of the musicians of my generation most of them would tell you the same thing.
Toronto had a large music community and many places to play, before and when I was on the scene.
There were a lot of big signed acts as well, surprisingly enough.
With the release of the debut album in 1992 you guys' sort of caught the tail end of the MTV, hard rock,
metal thing before the doom and gloom of Grunge Rock reared its ugly head. Could you see the change
coming?
We didn't see the change until we were actually on the road in support of the album. I remember
speaking to my father on the phone while I was in the Midwest and he was telling me about this band
called Nirvana, saying that they are gonna be the next big thing. We waited in our hotel watching MTV
in anticipation to see their video and hear their music and we did but we didn't think it was gonna take off
because of the rawness and simplicity of it all. Boy were we wrong!
Why the name "Irrelevant" (Strawberry Records) for the second ST album?
Because I was out voted that's why! (Laughs)
I understand that you got away from writing and performing for a couple of years during the early
2000's or so. What was it that got you back into it?
I had partnered with a friend and opened up a recording studio here in Toronto. It was actually the
fact that I was contributing as a producer and co-writer with other bands that made me get back into it.
Once you have been bitten with the music bug early in life it's hard to give up the ghost you know?
In your opinion how has the music industry changed, say, in the last 25 years or so?
Well, the first thing is that the business model has completely changed. It used to be that you would get
a demo tape to an A&R department at a Record Label and hope that you got signed. Now it's based off
of your social media numbers which we all know can be manipulated to make people look as though
they have a bigger following than they actually have. There are many ways in which the industry has
changed...Do you have a couple of hours to talk about it?
There was a great story told by former Slik Toxik guitarist Kevin Gale about the time you took the
subway across town to call out Skid Row front man Sabastian Bach on his remarks that you were sort of
riding his coat tails so to speak. I understand you guys are friendly with one another now but he must
have had quite the surprise seeing you enter the club guns blazin! Thoughts?
The story he told was not accurate. I had met up with Sebastian after we had both just performed at the
'CLOSING' of the legendary rock bar 'The Gasworks'. I wanted to talk to him about these remarks and
explain to him that we come from a lot of the same influences. My bottom line was that if you go to the
same school there are going to be some similarities. After the talk he and I went out and partied until 5
o'clock in the morning. All good, and we have been cordial with one another ever since.
Your latest band Famous Underground is absolutely fantastic! While listening to the album over the
weekend my daughter was walking around the house singing the song "Like an Animal"! Great stuff man.
Tell us more about the band and the members if you would.
Famous Underground is a band that I formed along with my long-time musical partner Laurie-Anne
Green. She and I originally had a band in the early 2000's called Revolver. After a few incarnations of
that band and having an album released in Europe and Canada we decided to re-brand and re-tool.
The core members now have been with us now for a decade.
Any plans on touring in the states when we get this damn Covid thing under control?
We would love to tour in the U.S. after Covid. We are just working on releasing another E.P. in the
coming months and we shall see where 2022 takes us.
The Last Time Nick Walsh =
was in a mosh pit
Slayer and King Diamond on July 15, 2015.
Had a beer with one of the members of Faster Pussycat
June 19, 2011. We 'Famous Underground', supported them in Montreal this night.
Spoke to Riki Rahctman (MTV Headbangers Ball host - NASCAR-themed radio show called Racing Rocks)
The one and only time I was on MTV Headbangers Ball.
Enjoyed a "Caesar" (Canadian hangover beverage - Clamato juice, vodka, Worchester and a salted rim)
Honestly, as I type this. FOR REAL!...And don't forget the Tabasco and a celery stick.
listened to a Killer Dwarf album (Canadian metal band)?
Actually, I heard a couple of tracks the other day at my friend's cottage. They were listening to XM
Satellite radio. HAIR NATION.
What's next for Nicholas Walsh?
Well...I am continuing to produce music with my own band Famous Underground, singing with touring
company Classic Albums Live and guesting on several other projects. Please check out our latest video "Like an Animal".