Skid Row Guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo Says Upcoming Pantera Shows Are a “Celebration”
Seems like everyone has something to say about the impending Pantera shows, featuring Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante as fill-ins for the late Abbott brothers. Even people that don’t really have a connection to the band at all are tossing their thoughts out into the world, just as Dave “Snake” Sabo recently did.
When he’s not playing in Skid Row, Sabo manages Down for McGhee Enterainment, so he has a direct connection to Phil Anselmo. Any long-term touring plans for Pantera could cut into his business with Down. While guesting on the “Talk Toomey” podcast, as transcribed by Blabbermouth, Sabo said he wasn’t “really at liberty to talk about anything right now.”
Sabo did, however, comment on the nature of this iteration of Pantera versus the public’s perception of the idea.
“I will say this: in no way is it a reunion at all, obviously. This is a celebration of the legacy of a band that changed music, heavy music. And that’s how I believe everybody is treating it. And for me as a fan, I can’t wait to witness it, because those songs are amazing, as was the band. So to be able to go out and turn new people on to the machine that was Pantera, the music that they created, and to celebrate the legacy of the band and to celebrate the lives of Vinnie and Dime, I think everything is right with that. And to be do it in a way — which I know they will — to do it in a way that is nothing but deeply respectful… And I think it’s something, too, that gives people a reminder just how influential they were as a band and how influential both Dime and Vinnie were as musicians and songwriters.
“There’s a lot to digest here, I guess. But really, the thing is that… It’s really simple. It is a celebration of Pantera’s music and Pantera’s history with really great musicians.”
Regardless of whether it’s called a reunion, a cover band, or a celebration, the Pantera shows are going to be a major cause of excitement in the metal world. Just this past Friday the internet went nuts after the official Pantera Instagram page posted a 10 second teaser that gave zero information about the tour.
As soon as those dates become available, we’ll be sure to have them up for you, whether you think it should be happening or not.
