Editing Slash's Snakepit (section)

===''Ain't Life Grand'' and second breakup (1999–2002)===
{{listen |filename=Mean Bone.ogg |title=Mean Bone |description=A sample of "Mean Bone" from ''[[Ain't Life Grand (Slash's Snakepit album)|Ain't Life Grand]]''. The band's first single from ''Ain't Life Grand'' was criticized due to the female rap at the beginning of the song.<ref name="Ain't Life Grand AMG">{{cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | title = Ain't Life Grand Review | website = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=aint-life-grand-r500623/review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref>}}

The band began recording material with producer [[Jack Douglas (record producer)|Jack Douglas]]<ref name="Classic Rock Snakepit"/><ref name="MTV June 1999">{{Cite web | title = Slash To Record With Jack Douglas; Duff McKagan Regroups | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = June 8, 1999 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429784/slash-record-with-jack-douglas-duff-mckagan-regroups.jhtml| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714131042/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429784/slash-record-with-jack-douglas-duff-mckagan-regroups.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = July 14, 2011}}</ref> at Slash's home studio as well as [[Ocean Way Recording]].<ref name="Ain't Life Grand booklet">{{cite AV media notes | title = Ain't Life Grand | title-link = Ain't Life Grand (Slash's Snakepit album) | others = Slash's Snakepit | year= 2000 | publisher = [[E1 Music|Koch Records]] | type = CD booklet}}</ref> The recording featured contributions by Teddy Andreadis, [[Jimmy Zavala]] and Lee Thornburg, amongst others.<ref name="Ain't Life Grand booklet"/><ref>{{cite web | title = Ain't Life Grand Credits | website = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=aint-life-grand-r500623/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> Initially, the label was positive about the album,<ref name="Slash p.407">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/407 407] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> setting a release date for February 22, 2000.<ref name="MTV December 1999">{{Cite web | last = Saidman | first = Sorelle | title = Slash Says "Ain't Life Grand!" | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = December 15, 1999 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429772/slash-aint-life-grand.jhtml| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714131048/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429772/slash-aint-life-grand.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = July 14, 2011}}</ref> However, when Slash was informed by Geffen, who had folded into [[Interscope Records]], that the album was not the type of music the label produced, he bought the album back<ref name="Slash p.407"/> and signed a deal with [[E1 Music|Koch Records]].<ref name="Slash p.408">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/408 408] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref>  Following the completion of the album, Roxie departed the band<ref name="Classic Rock Snakepit"/> with former [[Big Bang Babies]], [[Warrant (American band)|Warrant]] and [[Ratt]] guitarist [[Keri Kelli]] joining in his place.<ref name="Slash's Snakepit AMG"/><ref name="Slash AMG"/>

''[[Ain't Life Grand (Slash's Snakepit album)|Ain't Life Grand]]'' was released on October 20, 2000<ref name="Classic Rock Snakepit"/><ref name="MTV July 14, 2000">{{Cite web | last = Mancini | first = Robert | title = Slash Lands Slot On AC/DC Tour | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = July 14, 2000 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1424672/slash-lands-slot-on-acdc-tour.jhtml| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714131053/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1424672/slash-lands-slot-on-acdc-tour.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = July 14, 2011}}</ref> through Koch<ref name="Slash p.408"/><ref name="MTV July 14, 2000"/> with "Mean Bone" released as the first single.<ref name="MTV March 2001">{{Cite web | last = Kemp | first = Rob | title = Pneumonia Knocks Slash's Snakepit Off AC/DC Tour | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = March 27, 2001 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1442233/pneumonia-knocks-slashs-snakepit-off-acdc-tour.jhtml| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110319055521/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1442233/pneumonia-knocks-slashs-snakepit-off-acdc-tour.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = March 19, 2011}}</ref> The album did not sell as well as its predecessor,<ref name="Classic Rock Snakepit"/> and critical reception to it was mixed. ''Entertainment Weekly'' reviewer Tony Scherman stated that "Slash's playing is as flashily incendiary as ever, but the songs and arrangements recycle hard-rock cliches worthier of Ratt than of a bona fide guitar god".<ref name="Ain't Life Grand EW">{{Cite magazine | last = Scherman | first = Tony | title = Ain't Life Grand (2010) | magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = October 20, 2000 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,278101,00.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090425111045/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,278101,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = April 25, 2009}}</ref> Rob Sheffield of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' noted that "great guitarists need great bands, and the Snakepit dudes are barely functional backup peons".<ref name="Ain't Life Grand RS">{{Cite magazine | last = Sheffield | first = Rob | title = Ain't Life Grand by Slash's Snakepit | magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] | date = October 12, 2000 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/aint-life-grand-20001012}}</ref> Steve Huey of Allmusic noted that "the new Snakepit does kick up a lot of noise as the album rushes by, and the strong chemistry between the members is immediately obvious". However, he stated that songwriting was the main problem, and that "it never rises above the level of solid, and too many tracks are by-the-numbers hard rock at best (and pedestrian at worst)".<ref name="Ain't Life Grand AMG"/> The band were dropped by Koch two months following the album's release.<ref name="Slash p.409">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/409 409] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref>

Prior to the album's release, Slash's Snakepit supported [[AC/DC]] on their ''[[Stiff Upper Lip (album)|Stiff Upper Lip]]'' tour from August to September,<ref name="Slash p.408"/><ref name="MTV July 14, 2000"/> followed by their own headlining tour of theaters.<ref name="Slash p.409"/> They played only the first two shows on the winter leg of AC/DC's tour.<ref name="MTV March 2001"/> After falling ill and checking into a hospital in Pittsburgh,<ref name="Slash p.410">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/410 410] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref><ref name="MTV May 2001">{{Cite web | last = Wiederhorn | first = Jon | title = Slash Back On Tour With All Guns Blazing | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = May 31, 2001 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444167/slash-back-on-tour.jhtml| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714131103/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444167/slash-back-on-tour.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = July 14, 2011}}</ref> Slash was ordered by his doctor to stay at home to recuperate, reportedly from [[pneumonia]].<ref name="MTV March 2001"/> Due to this, Slash's Snakepit pulled out of supporting AC/DC in early 2001.<ref name="MTV March 2001"/> Slash later revealed in his [[Slash (autobiography)|self-titled biography]] that he had actually suffered [[Cardiomyopathy|cardiac myopathy]] caused by years of alcohol and drug abuse, with his heart swelling to the point of rupture.<ref name="Slash p.410"/> After being fitted with a [[Defibrillation|defibrillator]] and undergoing physical therapy, Slash returned to the group to continue touring.<ref name="Slash p.410"/><ref name="MTV May 2001"/> They later rescheduled their US tour, performing shows from June 16 – July 18,<ref name="MTV May 2001"/><ref>{{cite news | title = Archive News | work = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = May 26, 2001 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=125 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20240525233555/https://www.webcitation.org/67VFElCV2?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=125 | archive-date = May 25, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Archive News | work = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = June 8, 2001 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=138 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20240525233717/https://www.webcitation.org/67VFFePUz?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=138 | archive-date = May 25, 2024 }}</ref> co-headlining three shows  with [[Billy Idol]].<ref name="MTV May 2001"/><ref>{{cite news | title = Archive News | work = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = June 4, 2001 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=134 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20240525233635/https://www.webcitation.org/67VFFDpxC?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=134 | archive-date = May 25, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Slash p.410"/> Following the tour, Slash hid in the tour bus, waiting for the rest of the band to go home. He then announced the disbanding of Slash's Snakepit in an announcement made in early 2002. He cited, in particular, Jackson's poor work ethic and unreliability.<ref>[[iarchive:slashautobiograp0000unse/page/405|405]]</ref><ref name="Slash Blabbermouth">{{cite news | title = SLASH'S SNAKEPIT Officially Over, Slash Pursues Solo CD, Izzy Collaboration | work = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = January 8, 2002 | access-date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=649 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20240525233758/https://www.webcitation.org/67VFG5ATl?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=649 | archive-date = May 25, 2024 }}</ref>