In early 1998 GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash had just wrapped up a world tour for his debut SLASH'S SNAKEPIT album 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' and, with his main act still in hiatus, assembled a jam band to keep himself occupied. SLASH'S BLUES BALL played club shows performing Blues covers and Rock classics from the likes of STEPPENWOLF, AC/DC, HUMBLE PIE and ALICE COOPER. This act comprised Teddy Andreadis on lead vocals, rhythm guitarist Bobby Schneck, bassist Johnny Griparic, saxophonist Dave McLaurin with Alvino Bennet on drums. This kickabout band performed nationwide but oddly did not record. Slash was joined at one show at the Roxy in Los Angeles by KISS guitarist ACE FREHLEY for a selection of KISS tunes.

By the mid point of 1998 Slash had finally assembled a revised version of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, the new line-up including bassist Johnny Griparic.