Ain't Life Grand Review
Bet you thought that SLASH was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Recently
we had a communique from a very close relative who was there at the time!
To be totally accurate, SLASH was born in Hampstead (London), England and
was raised in Stoke-on-Trent. We've even updated our SLASH bio, and we
wanted those experts in SLASH trivia to have the news, too. Unfortunately,
we have no pictures of the blessed event, but in our imagination, a very
sweet little boy was born July 23, 1965 with long, black curly hair.
We happened upon a 1999 release from Sony called Pop Music: The Modern
Era 1976-1999. This 2 cd set is a compilation that comes with a thick
booklet containing comments on each track. The author is Dave DiMartino,
former West Coast Chief of Billboard and Executive Editor of
CD-ROM magazine Launch. SLASH gets a mention on Michael Jackson's
"Black or White". DiMartino calls "Black Or White"
"a near perfect pop confection". He says it owes its appeal to three
seemingly disparate elements: the producer Bill Bottrell, "the
switchblade jangling of SLASH's guitar" and Jackson himself. SLASH's
playing on "Black or White"
has never been described better!
Stoke-on-Trent and SLASH had a mention in the current Q magazine.
A Stoke resident wrote in after an interview in a previous issue called
it a "ghastly hole full of trolls". The Stoke defender writes that such
diverse artists as Lemmy, SLASH, Jackie Trent and Robbie Williams call
Stoke their hometown. Included was a small picture of Stoke which we
include here.
Markus, Lewis and Sim sent in more information on Izzy Stradlin's
forthcoming album, River. Izzy's new label is Sanctuary
Records Group which is a large British indie label. Markus says he
thinks this was founded by Rob Smallwood, manager of Iron Maiden.
Sanctuary distributes Iron Maiden and Megadeth albums. River
is listed for release on May 7 according to amazon.co.uk. No word yet
on a US release at this time. It should be relatively easy to get a
copy in Europe. Thanks!
Q magazine recommends the 1993 video (also on DVD) Carole
King In Concert. If you know your SLASH guest appearances, you
know SLASH appeared on two of Carole King's albums, and this was one of
them. We verified that SLASH does appear on the video and DVD playing
"Locomotion". The editorial review at amazon.com says that Carole is
"frisky as a pony"...
"even bringing out
unlikely guest-star guitarist Slash to provide chunky,
chugging guitar on
"Locomotion". If you know your SLASH history, it's
not unlikely at all. Carole King knew SLASH's parents from way back when
SLASH was little, and she saw SLASH grow up. She knows a talented
musician when she hears one, so she got SLASH to play on her album. The
two joined up on David Letterman's show to do "Locomotion" in 1995. Carole
also came to a Blues Ball gig in NYC where she and Les Paul joined the
band onstage for "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".
Don't forget the drawing for 5 SLASH's Snakepit posters and stickers!
The contest ends tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10, at midnight your time.
There's a survey that would be helpful
to the Slash organization, so if you fill one out and mail it to the
webmaster@snakepit.org, you are entered. You don't need to write out
all the questions. Just put, for example:
1. yes
2. no
and so on. Please answer all the questions..there are just 10, and it should
be fast to complete. It's attached below to make it easy for you to print
out should you need to. Please put SURVEY in the Subject. Send anytime up
till Tuesday, April 10 at midnight. Thanks very much for your help.
Survey
News Reported: 4/09/01
Perris Records is giving
away an autographed Fender Squire Strat guitar on their website. The
guitar is autographed by all kinds of music people: SLASH!, Keri Kelli!,
Jimmy Crespo, Carmine Appice and others. Enter once during the next
two months to win! Thanks, Olivia, for letting us know about this one.
Here's where you can see a large picture and enter
the contest:
Perris Records Autographed Guitar
Brian says he just saw a magazine called Guitar Legends. The
magazine is a special issue and has Jimi Hendrix on the cover. They
list 100 of the best guitarists (no order). SLASH is on the list! Brian
says SLASH has a short bio about his style and career and is quoted as
saying, "I've never been one of those guys that solos longer than he
should. My solos compliment the song, which is the most important part".
A 1988 photo accompanies the story - SLASH in his tophat. Thank you, Brian.
Here's a bit more information on Izzy Stradlin's forthcoming album,
River. The article we have does not say in which countries the
album will be released. River can be preordered right now at
Amazon in the UK. So far, it is not listed on the big US online stores.
The catalog number is SANCD076 which might be helpful if you want to
get your local store to order it. We aren't sure if this is an indie
label or Izzy's own label.
SLASH on the snake population at his house:
"I have no idea. They pop up from time to time. We have like forty,
fifty, it changes all the time because they have babies and
everything".
From the Rolling Stone online site. Thanks, Justin!
Vicki got the May 2001 issue of Hit Parader and found an article
called "Gearing Up" about SLASH. In the previous issue, they asked who
was the original GNR lead guitarist. Tough one! This article was the
answer. There are three nice sized photos of SLASH (all vintage GNR
photos). The "Gearing Up" article was an interview, but Vicki says it's
an old one, pre-Ain't Life Grand. Thanks, Vicki.
Vicki also found some SLASH mentions in the May/June issue of
Revolver. The article was about the Robert Williams rape
artwork on the cover of Appetite for Destruction. SLASH
says that no one in the band thought the cover was offensive. SLASH also
stated that living in Hollywood, this was one of the least shocking
things they would see. The artwork was moved to the inside of the
album, and SLASH said GNR fought against that just for the sake of
fighting. The band finally gave up when the fight became senseless
even to them. SLASH said they sold a million more copies because the
original became a collector's item. The article says that Robert
Williams says he received nothing beyond a small licensing fee. SLASH
says Williams got a ton of publicity from the whole controversy.
Although he's left GNR, SLASH says he still has good memories from the
band's early days and keeps a blown up copy of the Williams cover.
Another mention in Revolver is a comment on rock-themed pinball
games. SLASH is listed as co-designer of the GNR pinball game, and this
game was the last gasp of rock and roll pinball. Today, the industry
is all but dead. Thanks, Vicki!
There's a new set of tour photos up on the Tour Photo section! These
are miscellaneous pictures, and there are even some from the final
headlining tour where SLASH got sick. Another set of headliners is
coming up. Go to www.snakepit.org, scroll down to Main Menu, click
Tour Photos...or take this shortcut, and the new set is listed last:
Tour Photos
Don't forget the drawing for 5 SLASH's Snakepit posters and stickers!
The contest ends this Tuesday, April 10 at midnight your time.
There's a survey that would be helpful
to the Slash organization, so if you fill one out and mail it to the
webmaster@snakepit.org, you are entered. You don't need to write out
all the questions. Just put, for example:
1. yes
2. no
and so on. Please answer all the questions..there are just 10, and it should
be fast to complete. It's attached below to make it easy for you to print
out should you need to. Please put SURVEY in the Subject. Send anytime up
till Tuesday, April 10 at midnight. Thanks very much for your help.
Survey
News Reported: 4/07/01
The Modern Drummer
article on Matt Laug is really interesting, and you don't have to be
a drummer to understand it. The interview with Matt is about 4 pages
with a color, two page photo starting it off. There are some good
smaller photos here of Matt, too. Matt's one we don't often see good photos
of when he is onstage working. With four other band members prowling the
stage, the man with the sticks is
sometimes not camera visible. We've had the chance to talk to Matt
at a couple of the shows, and he's so nice and friendly! The interview
responses echo that. Matt talks basically about the two kinds of work
he does right now: session work and Snakepit. Matt's answers on session
work remind us of SLASH and his guest appearances - both guys are hard
workers and want to play! If there is spare time, why not fill it up
with something you love to do? Matt has worked with Alanis Morissette
on "Jagged Little Pill", with Christine Aguilera, Alice Cooper, The
Corrs, Meredith Brooks and The New Radicals. Matt tells an interesting
story of his early drummer days. His teacher was Mark Herndon who
eventually became part of the superstar group Alabama. Matt says that
Mark is one of his main sources of inspiration, and they still stay in
touch. Impressive! About Snakepit, Matt worked with SLASH's Blues Ball
for awhile and eased right into Snakepit. An extremely informative
article about Matt with so much we didn't touch on here. This May 2001
issue is on the newsstands right now.
Matt responded to our question on Lifehouse. Someone discovered that
Matt was listed on the credits for their new album. Matt says the
band are friends of his, and they asked him to play on their album.
Matt says they are really cool people. He played on their current
single, "Hanging By A Moment" and really likes the album. Lifehouse
rehearses where Snakepit does, so they run into each other and hang
out once in awhile. Here's more information on the band:
Lifestyle
Here's some big news on an old bandmate and friend of SLASH's!
Izzy Stradlin has a new album coming out on May 21. The album title
is River. Izzy was rhythm guitarist to SLASH's lead in Guns
N'Roses. In 1991 Izzy left GNR and formed Izzy Stradlin & The Ju Ju
Hounds. He's been releasing albums regularly, although not surprisingly,
Izzy has declined to tour or even do interviews in support of them.
Izzy has said that it is not that he dislikes interviews, but all he
is asked is about GNR which to him is quite a long way in the past.
River has ten original songs featuring guest musicians Ian
McLagan and his longterm collaborator, Rick Richards of the Georgia
Satellites. Izzy recorded the album during the past year in studios
all over the US. No doubt, you are looking forward to this one! Here's
the tracklist:
1. Jump In Now
2. Head On Out
3. River
4. Far Below Me Now
5. What I Told You
6. Get Away
7. Underground
8. Shall Walk
9. Run-In
10. Feelin'Alright
We had a chance to ask Rod Jackson some questions, and in the news two
days ago, Rod told us what he is doing right now. We were interested
in that Rod Jackson distinctive voice and how he cares for it. Rod
says he doesn't do anything special if Snakepit is not touring or
in the studio. If they are on tour, Rod says he tries not to talk
so much, and he drinks a lot of water and Throat Coat tea. He also
tries to get a lot of sleep and to work out in a hotel gym whenever
he can. Rod also prescribes a shot of Jack Daniels now and then!
Asked about voice training, Rod said he has never taken any formal
lessons. He first performed around age thirteen - in his bedroom with
a broomstick for a mic stand! He sang the entire album The Song
Remains The Same till he knew it note for note. Rod says he still
thinks he knows it! SLASH says he feels shy onstage, but Rod says
being onstage seems very natural to him. He's a Leo after all! We
asked Rod if he ever goes to clubs and joins in a jam session - just
getting up to sing. He replied that he is not one to go to clubs and
jam...he's more likely to go and drink! That's our Rod! Thank you, Rod;
it's great getting to know you better.
If you've been wanting to send mail to SLASH asking for an autograph
or a guitar pick, please read the instructions in the Write To SLASH
section. Always check the address there. It will be the correct one.
It's very important to send an envelope the size of the item you
expect to get back. Sending a business size envelope does not work
if you are getting a picture signed. You should ask for an autograph
instead of an autographed picture as sometimes they run out and there
may be a long delay till more come in. SLASH will sign his name on
something nice and send it along to you.
News Reported: 4/05/01
There are 5 more winners
of the SLASH's Snakepit poster and sticker. Nearly everyone solved the
crossword puzzle correctly. Email went off to these 5 to notify them.
If you are one of the following, please get in touch: R. Franzen,
Jose Martinez, Orosz Kata, Jizz da Pit, Vicki L. Damron.
The third and final poster contest (although we have some other items
from Koch) will be a drawing. There's a survey that would be helpful
to the Slash organization, so if you fill one out and mail it to the
webmaster@snakepit.org, you are entered. You don't need to write out
all the questions. Just put, for example:
1. yes
2. no
and so on. Please answer all the questions..there are just 10, and it should
be fast to complete. It's attached below to make it easy for you to print
out should you need to. Please put SURVEY in the Subject. Send anytime up
till Tuesday, April 10 at midnight. Thanks very much for your help.
Survey
SLASH is using some of his downtime to work on the fan mail at home. Due to
record label and publicist changes, some of SLASH's fan mail was
unfortunately misplaced. He sends his apologies for the delay. SLASH wants
to inform fans that the fan mail is being taken care of and he's working
to get replies out as soon as possible.
Tonight SLASH said he was
going to finish the backlog, and then he will start in on the mail that went
to the new mail box. If you have been waiting and waiting, hang on because
your reply may be coming soon. SLASH says just reading all this mail gives
him a real lift. He said you all are so into his music and the band that
he can't wait to get back out and give you some more! The sheer volume
of the Get Well cards has really touched him, and he wants to let you
all know that he thanks you very much. They mean a lot! So, many, many
thanks to everyone from SLASH.
Garybbad sent an interesting report on Matt Laug. He says his friend
bought a new cd by a new alternative band called Lifehouse. Garybbad
thought some tracks were pretty good, but for the most part it seemed
like all alternative rock seems to him, dull and uninspired. Matt is
listed as an additional musician on drums! Thanks! Maybe Matt can shed
some light on this.
Rod responded to some questions on what he is doing during the SLASH
Get Well period. He says he is working with Dick Simms who used to
play with Eric Clapton in the seventies. Dick is doing a solo album,
and Rod says we should watch for that one. He says it's very old-school,
bluesy rock; and if you like old Clapton, you'll dig it. Another thing
Rod has been up to is getting together with Johnny and Matt and doing
some songwriting. He says that everyone's in for a big surprise on the
next album; it should have something for everyone! More from Rod in the
next Current Events! Thanks so much, Rod, for filling us in!
Wrapping up this topic of the VH-1 list of Top 40 hair bands, Mindy and
Zubi watched the whole show only to see GNR not make the list. Keri will
be pleased to know that his old band, Warrant, came in at #4! Bon Jovi
was #3 with Poison being #1. Thanks, Zubi! Mindy said the show
was pretty entertaining if you grew up with the hair bands and miss
those metal ballads. Thanks, Mindy!
Also wrapping up the Top 10 Guitar Players, J.L.Salter complains that
if the list was dependent on album sales, GNR certainly sold a ton
of them. We've read that Appetite continues to sell about
1000 per week. Salter tells us that his top 10 are: SLASH, Jimmy
Page, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Perry, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen,
Kurt Cobain, Dean DeLeo(STP), and Mike McCready(Pearl Jam). Yes, we like
that list better! Thanks!
Lisa-Marie has an alert for French fans. Guitar Part has a few
extracts from Ain't Life Grand. She says these are not the complete
tabs, just a few interesting passages (riffs mostly). Thanks, Lisa-Marie!
News Reported: 4/03/01
In checking the VH-1
schedule, we were wondering if anyone is following "The Top 40
Hair Bands" show. Hour 3 is on tonight at 1am Monday morning. We
thought maybe with the hair the original GNR band sported, they might
be on the list. Justin pointed out that on the Rock Show page,
there is a place to vote for best band cover. Remember our GNR guys
doing "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"? A great cover, and it has only
2% of the votes. Amazing the two that are far ahead. How about going
over and giving SLASH, Duff, Matt...etc. a vote?
Best Cover
Hector wrote from Winnipeg to say their AC/DC show is also sold out on
the date the tickets came out. We feel Snakepit contributed to this!
Hector did say that AC/DC always sells out there, but there are a lot
of SLASH fans there who really wanted to see the band. Hector also
said, and this is very interesting, that a friend of his from Mexico
says there was a video for "Obsession", one of two SLASH tracks from the
soundtrack of the movie Curdled. His friend said
he saw a report on it a few years back, and that SLASH shot the video
in Spain with Marta Sanchez. Personally, we would love to see that
video. Anyone have it? If we could get a copy, we would definitely
put it up on this site. So if you captured it on tape, please contact
webmaster@snakepit.org. Thanks, Hector!
We had a note from our favorite drummer, Matt Laug. He wanted to let
everyone know that the May issue of Modern Drummer is on the
stands right now. This issue contains the interview with Matt! We're
out to find one tomorrow ourselves. In case we don't find it, if
you see it and can give us a summary, that would be great. Matt says
to look on the cover for the REM drummer with a smaller picture of
Sheila E. Matt wanted to clarify what was written about the new album.
The first priority of Snakepit right now is to get behind ALG.
They hope to release 2 more singles. But now they have time off with
SLASH recuperating from pneumonia, so the band members are using some
of the time to work up new material. Creative musicians are always
noodling around with new music, and they are doing some work on new
songs now. Don't plan on a new album in the near future! We want those
2 singles and for ALG to get a chance to "SHINE". (Guess the next
single!). We know people who have just gotten the album or just seen the
first video. Let's just get out and do some shows! Play ANYTHING but
COME BACK!
About fan mail, we've been told that a little treasure trove of fan
mail was discovered at the old mail address. About 100 letters are
there. So if you have given up on seeing your CD booklet or ever
getting a picture of SLASH, hang on! Extra help has come in to
get the mailings out. Probably the only bright spot in SLASH's
being home resting is that his big hand can still sign stuff. Hopefully,
YOUR request is in this box. Patience!
Groyou sent us some good news from the English press, and we want to
thank him for that and for the many guitar tabs he has contributed.
In the Classic Rock magazine, there was a readers poll in
2000. The results are in!
BRIGHTEST HOPE FOR 2001: (Drum Roll) SLASH'S SNAKEPIT !!!
Biggest Dude: Lemmy followed closely by SLASH (YEA, SLASH!)
Biggest Bore of 2001: (we are not making this up) Axl Rose
Thanks to Groyou and the perceptive readers of Classic Rock
PLEASE NOTE: The March 2001 Current Events moved to the archives.
Check below to find them. Keeping just one month here keeps your
download time faster. The old information is all here, too. Nothing
is discarded!
News Reported: 4/01/01