Columbus, OH
July 1, 2001


	Last night I drove to Columbus, OH from Cincinnati to catch Snakepit
 before they head home to record the next record.  When the first band was 
about 2/3rd's of the way done with their set, I positioned myself right up 
front and to Slash's side of the stage.  I had my camera with me and I 
wanted to get some good shots.  That's when I started to get anxious.  I 
knew how close I was going to be to THE MAN.

	After what seemed like an eternity between bands, the lights finally 
went down and out slithered Slash and the band.   They broke into the 
traditional "LSD" and let loose with reckless abandon. Slash had so much 
energy that the crowd was feeding off of his stage presence.  Rod, Johnny 
and Keri were also running rampant and putting on a great show.  Matt was 
thunderous with the sticks as always.  

	The band played the entire Ain't Life Grand album along with 
"It's So Easy", "Mr. Brownstone" and "Beggars and Hangers On."  The two GNR 
songs ignited the audience, as expected.  During "It's So Easy", Rod fueled 
the crowd to help out with "why don't you just....F*@k off!", then Slash 
dropped to his knees to wail on the solo.  Later, during "Landslide", Slash 
jumped off of the stage to play in the barrier between the stage and the 
audience.  Since I was right in front of where he jumped, everyone swarmed 
all around me to get close to him.  It was awesome being five feet from him 
while he jammed on the lead to the song.

	During the show Slash talked only a few times.  Mostly "What's up 
Columbus?"  When Rod introduced the band towards the end, Slash did say a 
lot more but I couldn't understand what he said and neither could anyone 
around me.  Everyone was like "......uh, okay."

	After the show I waited in line to meet the band.  I didn't buy 
anything so I had the band sign my ticket stub.  I also got a pic of Slash 
and myself with Rod in the background.  Having only a precious few seconds 
to talk to my hero, I didn't say too much.  I shook his hand and said hello 
and told him the show was great.  I asked him when the next album was coming 
out.  He said "Either the end of fall or the beginning of winter."  "So by 
the end of this year", I replied.  "Yeah." How about that for some great 
news for all of the Snakepit fans?  It will be a good Christmas.

	Overall the show was awesome.  The band's high octane lasted all 
night and the audience ate it up.  It was amazing watching Slash play his 
blistering leads from only a few feet away.  And meeting the band after the 
show was the icing on the cake.  What a night!  Ain't Life Grand?

Brian Smith

I will be sending pics too.  They are really good!