Solo outing by the renowned GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash. With GUNS N' ROSES fever at its peak, Slash's first struck out under the band title SLASH'S SNAKEPIT with the debut album 'It's Five O' Clock Somewhere' sold well. Contributing in the studio were his GUNS N' ROSES buddies guitarist GILBY CLARKE and keyboard player Dizzy Reed. The then new face of Eric Dover supplied the lead vocals.

The act had evolved from jam session between Slash and Gilby Clarke held at Slash's home studio, also home to his collection of pet snakes. Originally these tracks were mooted for GUNS N' ROSES follow up to 'The Spaghetti Incident', with Duff McKagan contributing as a co-writer on the song 'Beggars & Hangers-On'.Clarke's composition credits included 'Dime Store Rock', 'Good to Be Alive' and 'Monkey Chow'.

However, although submitted, this material was rejected by Axl Rose and Slash duly instigated his first solo effort 'It's 5 o'clock Somewhere'. In interviews the guitarist claimed that the album was not a true solo record but a project whose purpose was to keep him active whilst GUNS N' ROSES was in hiatus. At label insistence, Slash's desired band name of "SNAKEPIT" was extended to SLASH'S SNAKEPIT.

'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' was recorded at Conway Studios with Mike Clink acting as producer then mixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero at River Sound. The album, the title for which had been taken from a casual comment made by an airport bar employee, arrived in stores in February 1995 on Geffen Records, notably clad in distinctive artwork provided by Ash Hudson, Slash's brother. It hit no. 70 on the Billboard charts and sold well globally, soon attaining a million sales. Shortly after the album's release, an all-female San Diego band titled SNAKEPIT launched a trademark infringement lawsuit against the band. This lawsuit was settled under confidential terms.

Once on the road, the studio rhythm section of ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Inez and GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum was replaced by PRIDE AND GLORY's bassist James Lomenzo and drummer Brian Tichy. LoMenzo was also previously with WHITE LION. The group made it over to Europe where they played headlining club shows and selective dates on BON JOVI's 1995 European Stadium tour, including dates in Holland and Sweden. Tischy later joined FOREIGNER and OZZY OSBOURNE.

Early 1998 found Slash ensconsed in his SLASH'S BLUES BALL outfit, playing 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. He 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 now finding DAD'S PORNO MAG and ALICE COOPER guitarist Ryan Roxie, bassist Johnny Griparic and drummer Matt Laug involved in writing and recording.

Slash put in a guest showing on GRAHAM BONNET's 1999 album 'The Day I Went Mad'.

Ex-BIG BANG BABIES, PRETTY BOY FLOYD, DADS PORNO MAG, RATT and WARRANT guitarist Keri Kelli joined the band in mid 2000. The second album, 'Ain't Life Grand' produced by Jack Douglas, emerged in October 2000 through Koch International. Japanese versions hosted two bonus tracks, 'Rusted Heroes' and 'Something About Your Love'.

The band was originally intended to support AC/DC's mammoth North American trek but had to pull out when Slash was found to be suffering from pneumonia. The band regrouped for a run of dates in June which included dates in Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh as co-headliners with BILLY IDOL. Slash himself would also perform with the legendary SPINAL TAP at their June 1st Greek Theater date in Los Angeles. He would also make a showing onstage with Les Paul at the House Of Blues.

Kelli rejoined his erstwhile PRETTY BOY FLOYD bandmates for summer Japanese shows but remained an active member of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT. Keli would also turn up guesting for new act GOLIATH on their debut.

Slash himself would once more be invited to rub shoulders with Pop royalty when he performed onstage alongside MICHAEL JACKSON at the singer's New York Madison Square Garden 30th anniversary celebrations on September 7th-10th. He would maintain this degree of mingling with the stars in December, acting as guitarist for ROLLING STONES guitarist RONNIE WOODS live band for a batch of UK dates.

Slash announced the dissolution of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT as 2002 broke. It would shortly after be revealed that the ex-GUNS N' ROSES triumvirate of Slash, IZZY STRADLIN' and DUFF McKAGAN had ensconsed themselves in the recording studio working on a brand new venture.

Industry speculation would also be rife in January that ex-VAN HALEN and MONTROSE singer SAMMY HAGAR was to front up a brand new 'supergroup' set to include Slash, the JOURNEY pairing of guitarist NEAL SCHON and drummer Deen Castronovo and rumours that even Hagar's VAN HALEN compatriot bassist Michael Anthony might also to be involved. Indeed, within days of the leak this superstar collective would be confirmed officially with surprising rapidity. However, within hours further stayements arose indicating that, although invited to the sessions, Slash did in fact not take part.

The ex-gunners collective would be making news with Slash, McKagan and Matt Sorum uniting with BUCKCHERRY members Josh Todd and Keith Nelson for a set at the Los Angeles Key club on April 29th as a part of tribute concert for the late OZZY OSBOURNE and MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Randy Castillo. As if the band line up alone was not enough Steven Tyler of AEROSMITH joined the ad hoc band onstage for an encore of 'Mama Kin'. At a later gig in June, at the Los Angeles Club Moomba Slash and Sorum pieced together a live band unit of PITCHSHIFTER frontman J.S. Clayden, JANE'S ADDICTION and ex-RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist DAVE NAVARRO for a rendition of JIMI HENDRIX's 'Hey Joe'.

Rife press speculation of a GUNS N' ROSES union was fired up by reports that Slash, McKagan and Sorum were in rehearsals eyeing a fresh band project, apparently confirmed by Slash's comments that BUCKCHERRY's Josh Todd had been in the running for the role of vocalist but had not worked out. Dave Pusher would subsequently be named as second guitarist. During October major news was leaked confirming that not only was Slash's former GUNS N' ROSES guitar partner IZZY STRADLIN' contributing on the song-writing front but that Kelly Shaefer of NEUROTICA and also holding credentials with Thrashers ATHEIST, PSYCHOTICA's Pat Briggs, AGE OF ELECTRIC's Todd Kerns as well as Cheyenne Goff of the Michigan band BLISS 66 also tried out. Another singer in the frame would be GRAYSON MANOR frontman Brad Cox, a demo song entitled 'Pleasin' even being leaked with Cox on vocals. By December it would be DAYS OF THE NEW founder Travis Meeks at the microphone and in January of 2003 STEELHEART frontman Mike Matijevic was added to the list.

Slash would add a guest guitar session to TOTO guitarist STEVE LUKATHER's seasonal 'Santamental' record. The guitarist boosted his resume too by appearing on an album put together by the YARDBIRDS, the veteran Blues Rockers first studio album in over 30 years. Slash also turned up on RAY CHARLES' album 'Ray Charles Sings For America', featured on the track 'God Bless America Again'.

Meantime, the ex-gunners collective would soon be making news with Slash, McKagan and another GUNS N' ROSES credited player drummer MATT SORUM uniting with BUCKCHERRY members Josh Todd and Keith Nelson for a set at the Los Angeles Key club on April 29th as a part of tribute concert for the late OZZY OSBOURNE and MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Randy Castillo. As if the band line-up alone was not enough Steven Tyler of AEROSMITH joined the ad hoc band onstage for an encore of 'Mama Kin'. Following this gig the Slash / McKagan / Sorum axis would rehearse with a view to assembling an all new band.

As the omens for GUNS N' ROSES return initially looked good, as a full scale US tour was announced, fans would have double concern to celebrate as it was learned that the Slash / McKagan / Sorum band project was taking shape with IZZY STRADLIN' also contributing to the song-writing process. By October and McKagan's LOADED bandmate Dave Kushner employed as a session guitarist. Shortly after it would be learned that former SKID ROW singer SEBASTIAN BACH was in rehearsals with the band.

As anticipation built for the project another former Gunner, drummer Steven Adler, also weighed in with his own venture highlighting the interest in the GUNS N' ROSES family tree. The as yet still untitled Slash / McKagan / Sorum venture retained its media status too as auditions for potential frontmen became the subject of a reality TV show. In March the musicians performed versions of 'Paradise City' and the CYPRESS HILL song '(Rock) Superstar' with CYPRESS HILL rappers Sen Dog and B-Real on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' show. The group, utilising the services of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman SCOTT WEILAND cut a rendition of PINK FLOYD's 'Money' for use on the soundtrack to the remake of the cult robbery flick 'The Italian Job'. Keyboard player Teddy Andreadis, of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, also performed on this track. Soon after it would be learned the group, having seemingly settled on the title RELOADED, had cut a further track with Weiland at the helm, an original composition 'Set Me Free' for use on another movie soundtrack 'The Hulk'. The band finally settled on the VELVET REVOLVER brand.

SLASH'S SNAKEPIT singer Eric Dover joined CARDBOARD VAMPYRES in May of 2005. That August Brian Tichy re-united with Slash, acting as fill-in for Matt Sorum, who had fractured his wrist in a waterskiing accident, for US VELVET REVOLVER gigs. January of 2006 found James Lomenzo joining the ranks of MEGADETH. Keri Kelli joined the ALICE COOPER band in March 2006.

In March 2009 Slash commenced recording his Eric Valentine produced debut solo album with Josh Freese, of A PERFECT CIRCLE and NINE INCH NAILS, on drums, and Chris Chaney, from JANE'S ADDICTION, on bass. Izzy Stradlin' supplied guest guitar parts.

Slash joined Fergie (a.k.a. Stacy Ann Ferguson) of the BLACK EYED PEAS on stage on Sunday 5th April at the NCAA Big Dance concert at the Riverfront in Detroit, Michigan for a performance of GUNS N' ROSES's 'Sweet Child o' Mine' and HEART's 'Barracuda'.

In early May Slash performed the ALICE COOPER classic 'School's Out' during "Rock Week" on the 'American Idol' blockbuster TV show. For this gig he was backed by a band involving keyboard player Matt Rhodes, Tommy Clufetos on drums, Keri Kelli on guitar and Chris Chaney on bass.

For his headlining appearance at the 'Quart' festival on 30th June in Kristiansand, Norway the guitarist was joined onstage by guests Fergie, Ron Wood, of the ROLLING STONES and Ozzy Osbourne, from BLACK SABBATH. Slash's live band comprised Jason Bonham, of LED ZEPPELIN, UFO, FOREIGNER and BONHAM, on drums, Chris Chaney, of JANE'S ADDICTION, on bass, John 5, of ROB ZOMBIE and MARILYN MANSON, on second guitar, Franky Perez, from SCARS ON BROADWAY, on additional guitar and Teddy Andreadis, of GUNS N' ROSES and ALICE COOPER, on keyboards.

Returning to the USA to continue work on his solo opus, mid July witnessed drum sessions from Slash's erstwhile GUNS N' ROSES colleague Steven Adler and Flea from RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS on bass. Former NINE INCH NAILS drummer Josh Freese and ex-JANE'S ADDICTION bassist Chris Chaney were also employed. Guest singers included CHRIS CORNELL and OZZY OSBOURNE.

Slash released a two-track CD single in Japan on 11th November featuring the song 'Sahara', fronted by a guesting singer Koshi Inaba of the Japanese hard rock duo B'Z, and a version of the GUNS N' ROSES classic 'Paradise City', featuring CYPRESS HILL and Fergie of the BLACK EYED PEAS.

Slash, singer Rob Halford of JUDAS PRIEST, Jason Bonham, Steve Lukather, of TOTO, and KEITH EMERSON performed as an "all star" band at the 95.5 KLOS Mark And Brian Christmas Show at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday 16th December.