Slash's Snakepit

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Slash's Snakepit


Img_capt = Slash's Snakepit
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = United States
Genre = Hard rock, Blues-rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 1994 – 1995;
1998 – 2001
Label = Geffen Records
Koch Records
Associated_acts = Velvet Revolver
Megadeth
Alice in Chains
Guns N' Roses
Jellyfish
Alice Cooper
White Lion
Black Label Society
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = Saul "Slash" Hudson
Rod Jackson
Ryan Roxie
Johnny Griparic
Matt Laug
Keri Kelli
Matt Sorum
Gilby Clarke
Mike Inez
Eric Dover
Brian Tichy
James LoMenzo
Notable_instruments =

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) were among the original members. 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 as the original line-up) 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, which Slash apparently overdubbed some bass parts onto. In some cases, GN'R bassist Duff McKagan also contributed ideas and he 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 the rest of Guns N' Roses as prospective future material, but were flatly 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 5 o'clock Somewhere".

Up to this point, Slash had always been publicly quite "anti" a solo record, 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. He is also on record as stating that he wanted the band to simply be called "Snakepit" - after his home studio, but the record company insisted they add his name to it to help increase sales. Hence "Slash's Snakepit".

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 Axl's ever erratic moves, not to mention a certain amount of pressure from Geffen to promote the album (according to Slash's autobiography he wanted to tour and Geffen supported him until Axl said he was ready to start writing for G'N'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 from his lead guitarist. (Gilby Clarke had already been fired from the band - by Rose - at this point). James LoMenzo and Brian Tichy filled their shoes for the ensuing tour.

Once off the road, the group soon 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".

Reunion

2000 saw more recordings & live shows for Snakepit, but with a completely new lineup (except for Slash). The band released "Ain't Life Grand" in October 2000, which, aside from Slash on lead guitar, featured Rod Jackson on vocals, Johnny Griparic on bass, Matt Laug on drums and Ryan Roxie on guitar. Keri Kelli later replaced Ryan Roxie 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

* [http://www.snakepit.org Official fan site]
* [http://www.slashsworld.com Slash's World]
* [http://texasrat.com/gunsnroses GNR site with information on Slash's Snakepit]