Twisted Sister

TWISTED SISTER Rebirth: Sebastian Bach Takes the Helm After Dee Snider's Exit

By Jason •
In a bold new chapter, TWISTED SISTER enlists Sebastian Bach to front the band amid health challenges faced by legendary vocalist Dee Snider.

In a recent gut-wrenching interview with Podcast Rock City Live, TWISTED SISTER's axe-slinger Jay Jay French opened up about the seismic shift in the band's lineup, announcing the iconic Sebastian Bach as the new frontman following Dee Snider's painful resignation due to debilitating health issues. French, dripping with enthusiasm, proclaimed, "Sebastian has been the greatest... He's been the most fun guy. He is the most fun guy." The audacity of this move sends ripples through the heavy metal community, a community that often clings desperately to its legends.

French was quick to address the naysayers, those who insist that Dee Snider is irreplaceable. "If you ask a hundred TWISTED fans who could do it, you'll get ones who go, 'Dee can never be replaced.' But let's face it, nobody is irreplaceable. Look at QUEEN, for Christ's sake! Freddie Mercury was replaced by Adam Lambert, a dude from 'American Idol.' Absurdity reigns in rock and roll, but that’s the reality. And we're not just throwing some wannabe up there; we've got a bona fide superstar in Sebastian Bach, a performer who can deliver like no other.

French added, "I never doubted Sebastian's ability to take on the TWISTED SISTER mantle." He empathized with the skeptics, acknowledging that he himself has voiced concerns about bands that have fallen from grace. "There will always be people who say, 'He's not that. You're not that.' Who cares? You don't have to go to a show if you don't want to. It’s a free country, and with ticket prices skyrocketing, the artists need to respect that investment from the fans."

With the new lineup comprised of Bach on vocals, French and Eddie Ojeda on guitar, Russell Pzütto on bass, and Joey Cassata on drums, TWISTED SISTER rocked the house for the first time with their new singer on August 28 at Sayreville, New Jersey's Starland Ballroom. Initially billed as a performance by the band’s alter ego, BENT BROTHER, it quickly morphed into a full-blown showcase of the revamped TWISTED SISTER, igniting the crowd with a ferocity reminiscent of the band's glory days.

As the band gears up for an additional eight shows this fall, including a stop at the Washington State Fair Event Center in Puyallup, Washington on September 27, the stakes have never been higher. Pzütto takes over for the beloved Mark "The Animal" Mendoza, while Cassata fills in on drums for Joe Franco, who couldn’t make the fall dates. The metal world feels the weight of these transitions, especially in light of Snider's heartbreaking departure, who cited degenerative arthritis and the toll of years of rock as the reasons for stepping back. "I'd rather walk away than be a shadow of my former self," he declared.

As TWISTED SISTER makes this audacious comeback, one thing is clear: the spirit of rock will not be subdued. This isn't just a band; it's a legacy, and with Sebastian Bach leading the charge, the question remains: can they reclaim their throne in the annals of heavy metal history?