Slash's Snakepit was a side project that recorded a couple of albums. With all of the past band members currently busy with various projects, it's doubtful we'll ever see a third album from them. However, they were definitely fun while they lasted.
Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash (real name: Saul Hudson) recorded a few demos at his Snakepit home studio shortly after finishing the Use Your Illusion albums tour. His bandmates Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, and Gilby Clarke contributed to the new material, along with Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez. Slash presented the tunes to Axl Rose, who eventually turned them down. Inez, Slash, Clarke, and Sorum decided to record the demos, and Eric Dover was brought in to sing on the songs.
Dover and Slash co-wrote the lyrics for each track on the record titled It's Five O'Clock Somewhere. The album was issued via Geffen Records, whose management wanted it to be listed under the group name Slash's Snakepit instead of just Snakeput as Slash had initially wanted. Slash's brother Ash created the cover artwork which also included efforts by Brazilian percussionist Paulinho da Costa, harmonica by Teddy Andreadis, and keys from Dizzy Reed.
The bluesy rock album that debuted during a GNR hiatus was well-received by peers and the general public. The group even went on tour for a while, with drummer Brian Tichy taking over for Sorum and James LoMenzo holding down the bass guitar spot in the band. Soon after Axl announced that he was ready to resume work on another Guns N' Roses record, Geffen dropped their support of Slash's Snakepit, and the side project bit the dust not long afterward.
Slash left Guns N' Roses in 1996 after tensions with Rose began to boil over. He occupied his time by playing in Japan with Chic, an American disco group, and performing with drummer Alvino Bennett, bass guitarist Johnny Griparic, saxophone player Dave McClarem, Andreadis, and guitarist Bobby Schneck in a blues cover band that would later be called Slash's Blues Ball. The blues group played and toured until 1998.
At one point while Slash was playing in the blues group in 1997, he talked to Griparic about possibly resurrecting the Snakepit project. Hundreds of singers auditioned for the revival before Rod Jackson was selected. Drummer Matt Laug and guitarist Ryan Roxie rounded out the lineup. The group worked on new music and had to search for a new label before settling on Koch Records. By then, Roxie had been replaced by Keri Kelli.
Their sophomore effort, Ain't Life Grand, was released in October 2000. Unfortunately, it didn't fare as well as its predecessor. Complaints about Slash's new band members, the tunes, and the songwriting on the album were made. Those and other criticisms made the news that Koch dropped the group from their label a couple of months later hardly surprising.
The revised lineup still went on tour with AC/DC to support the release. Slash developed cardiac myopathy because of repeated drug and alcohol abuse, which caused him to miss several tour dates. Slash's Snakepit returned to the road the following summer, but the writing was already on the wall. Another clash with a singer, this time Rod Jackson, was listed as one of the main reasons for the group's second (and thus far final) breakup in the first half of 2002.
Slash has since returned to Guns N' Roses and also started his own solo band in 2010, with Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy on lead vocals. Myles was one of several guests on Slash's first solo record, before becoming the permanent lead singer for their tours and subsequent releases. This new group debuted six years after another side project, Velvet Revolver was formed. That group included Sorum, McKagan, Dave Kushner on guitar, and Stone Temple Pilots frontman on lead vocals. Velvet Revolver recorded a pair of studio albums before calling it quits.
Because it's been over 2 decades since the last Snakepit album and Slash's busy schedule, I really don't think it's realistic to expect a third record by that particular group. I enjoyed their albums but didn't get to see them in concert. I have seen Slash's solo group play live twice so far, and have to say that they are quite entertaining. There are plans for them to record again next year after Alter Bridge's current tour comes to an end.
Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll do a quick write-up on 9Electric, a fun group that I was fortunate enough to see with Gemini Syndrome a few years ago. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!
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