Slash's Snakepit

Slash's Snakepit

Slash's Snakepit was a rock band formed by then-Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash in 1994. Fellow Guns N' Roses members Matt Sorum (drums), Gilby Clarke (rhythm guitar) also joined him. On bass was Mike Inez of Alice in Chains. Eric Dover (who had previously played guitar for Jellyfish) sang lead vocals. GN'R colleagues Teddy Andreadis and Dizzy Reed also appeared on the record playing harmonica & keyboards respectively.

The first, and more notable lineup, sometimes regarded as the "true" Slash's Snakepit (the 2000 line-up with Rod Jackson was not as well-received by fans and critics) released the album It's Five O'Clock Somewhere which was issued in March 1995 almost by accident.

History

The legend goes that Slash and Sorum were jamming in Slash's home studio (known as "The Snakepit" due to the guitarist's fondness for snakes, and the studio being in proximity to his pets) with a view to working on new GN'R material. Soon, Gilby Clarke (rhythm guitar in Guns at the time) was joining them and contributing ideas. They demo'd songs together, onto which Slash apparently overdubbed some bass parts. In some cases, GN'R bassist Duff McKagan also contributed ideas and is credited as having co-written "Beggars & Hangers-On".

According to Axl Rose, in a 1999 interview with MTV's Kurt Loder, these songs were offered to Guns N' Roses as prospective material, but were turned down by Rose.

Slash recruited Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez to complete the musical side of the group. Gilby Clarke's drummer, Mark Danziesen, suggested Dover as vocalist, and after passing the audition, he joined the quintet to complete recording of what would become "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere".

Up to this point, Slash had always been publicly quite against a solo effort, claiming he had no need for one whilst Guns was in action. In promoting this album, he remained pragmatic in statements that it wasn't "really" a solo album, just a project that had come together by accident, and morphed into another band which was now keeping him busy whilst Guns was on hiatus. Slash wanted the band to simply be called "Snakepit", but the record company insisted they add his name to help increase sales.

With a title taken from a passing comment made by an airport attendant, and artwork provided by Slash's brother, Ash Hudson, the album was released in March 1995 during a period of downtime for Guns N' Roses.

Shortly after the album's release, a local all-girl San Diego band named simply "Snakepit" filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Slash to limit his use of the "Snakepit" name. The lawsuit was settled on confidential terms.

Frustrated by Guns' inactivity and Rose's erratic moves, as well as pressure from Geffen to promote the album (according to Slash's autobiography he wanted to tour and Geffen supported him until Rose said he was ready to start writing for GN'R again at which point they pulled the plug), a six-month tour was arranged. Clarke, Slash and Dover remained the only members of the recording lineup to tour, with Inez committed to Alice in Chains, and Sorum agreeing to stay behind in the GN'R camp as a compromise to placate the angered Rose, who saw this side project as an act of defiance. Once off the road, the group disbanded, as it was - after all - only a side project for all involved.

Eric Dover went on to form Imperial Drag with Jellyfish keyboardist Roger Manning, Slash returned to the GN'R fold, and Clarke went on to record more solo albums.

In 1996, however, Slash left GN'R, citing an inability to continue working with Rose (McKagan and Sorum left the following year) and went on to cobble together various projects, including the "jam band" covers band, "Slash's Blues Ball".

Snakepit Version 2

2000 saw more recordings and live shows for Slash's Snakepit, but with a completely new lineup (except for Slash). The band released Ain't Life Grand in October 2000, featuring Rod Jackson on vocals, Johnny Griparic on bass, Matt Laug on drums and Ryan Roxie on guitar. Keri Kelli later replaced Roxie on tour as he was committed to work with Alice Cooper.

Discography

• It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (1995)
• Ain't Life Grand (2000)

Lineups

Note: Does not include session musicians

1994

Performed initial jams, recruited rest of lineup

• Slash - lead guitar
• Gilby Clarke - rhythm guitar
• Mike Inez - bass guitar
• Matt Sorum - drums

1994 - 1995

Wrote first/recorded first album together

• Eric Dover - lead vocals
• Slash - lead guitar
• Gilby Clarke - rhythm guitar
• Mike Inez - bass guitar
• Matt Sorum - drums

1995

Toured in support of the first album

• Eric Dover - lead vocals
• Slash - lead guitar
• Gilby Clarke - rhythm guitar
• James LoMenzo - bass guitar
• Brian Tichy - drums

1996-1998

Disbanded

1998-2000

Performed in the pre-album tour of 1999, and recorded the second Snakepit album

• Rod Jackson - lead vocals
• Slash - lead guitar
• Ryan Roxie - rhythm guitar
• Johnny Griparic - bass guitar
• Matt Laug - drums
• Teddy Andreadis - keyboards

2000-2001

Toured in support of the second Snakepit album

• Rod Jackson - lead vocals
• Slash - lead guitar
• Keri Kelli - rhythm guitar
• Johnny Griparic - bass guitar
• Matt Laug - drums
• Beathoven - keyboards

External links

• Official fan site
• Slash's World
• GNR site with information on Slash's Snakepit