The rock supergroup that was actually a studio sanctuary
In short: Before it was a band name, The Snakepit was a garage studio. Born from the frustration of a guitarist sidelined by his own legendary band, this Los Angeles project served as a creative outlet for Slash to vent his grievances through blues-infused hard rock.
In 1994, following a period of intense touring for Guns N' Roses, Slash returned to Los Angeles and built a small home studio over his garage. He nicknamed this space 'The Snakepit.' It was here, amidst the demos written during his hiatus from Guns N'..'s primary focus, that the musical project began to coalesce. While often dismissed as a mere side project, Slash insisted the group was a true band with equal contributions from all members.
The project's first iteration featured a heavy-hitting lineup, including Guns N' Roses alumni Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke, alongside Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez and vocalist Eric Dover. Their 1995 debut, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere, was a vehicle for Slash's frustrations with Axl Rose, with lyrics written by Slash and Dover to vent those tensions. The album achieved notable success, reaching number 15 on the UK Albums Chart.
The band's history was marked by frequent shifts and sudden endings. A second lineup, featuring Rod Jackson and former Alice Cooper musicians Ryan Roxie and Matt Laug, released Ain't Life Grand in 2000. However, the group faced significant instability. After a period of supporting AC/DC, Slash suffered from cardiac myopathy—a condition caused by years of substance abuse—which forced him to withdraw from touring. The project finally dissolved in early 2002, following a period where Slash famously waited in his tour bus for the band to leave before announcing the split, citing a lack of commitment from his members.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Slash's Snakepit
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