Ain't Life Grand
"This particular period, from 1999 to 2001, was easily the darkest period of my existence on this planet. Recreational drinking had morphed into severe alcoholism." (Slash)

Recorded in 1999 with Jack Douglas on production, this second album was initially announced for February 2000. But as Slash's Snakepit changed label, Ain't Life Grand is finally released at the beginning of October.

Album information

By: Slash's Snakepit

Released: October 10, 2000

Length: 58:37

Label: Koch

Producer: Jack Douglas

Recorded: Ocean Way Studios / Snakepit Studios

Singles: Been There Lately / Mean Bone

Associated tour: Ain't Life Grand Tour

Line-up

Rod Jackson: lead vocals
Slash: lead & rhythm guitars, six-string bass on "Been There Lately"
Ryan Roxie: rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Johnny Griparic: bass
Matt Laug: drums
Additional musicians: Teddy Andreadis (keyboards & backing vocals) / Raya Beam (vocals) / Collin Douglas (percussion) / Jimmy "Z" Zavala (saxophone & harmonica) / Lee Thornburg (trumpet) / Jeff Paris, Karen Lawrence, Kelly Hansen, Kim Nail (backing vocals)

Tracklist

Been There Lately (Slash's Snakepit)
Just Like Anything (Slash's Snakepit)
Shine (Slash's Snakepit)
Mean Bone (Slash's Snakepit)
Back To The Moment (Slash's Snakepit)
Life's Sweet Drug (Slash's Snakepit)
Serial Killer (Slash's Snakepit)
The Truth (Slash's Snakepit)
Landslide (Slash's Snakepit)
Ain't Life Grand (Slash's Snakepit)
Speed Parade (Slash's Snakepit)
The Alien (Slash's Snakepit)

Rusted Heroes (Slash's Snakepit) Japanese edition bonus
Something About Your Love (Slash's Snakepit) Japanese edition bonus
What Kind Of Life (Slash's Snakepit) Promo edition track
Bleed (Slash's Snakepit) Promo edition track

Music videos

Recording guitars & amps

Gibson Les Paul Standard 1959 replica
Gibson ES-335 1967 (rhythm) (Back To The Moment)
B.C. Rich Mockingbird (lead) (The Truth / The Alien)
Travis Bean 1000 (slide) (Shine / Rusted Heroes)
Fender Bass 6-strings 1962 (rhythm) (Been There Lately)
Marshall JCM 800 2203 S.I.R. stock #34 modded by Frank Levi (for distorted sounds)
Marshall JCM 2555 Silver Jubilee (for distorted sounds)

Miscellaneous

Ain't Life Grand cover artwork has been released by ConArt, a graphic company owned by Slash's brother.
The song Slash is the most fond of playing live is "Been There Lately" is one of the favorite Slash.
Slash had a hard time finishing the recording of "Shine" and was about to give up on certain parts when he finally made them sound the way he had in mind.
Originally titled "Break You", "Back To The Moment" was written by Ryan Roxie and Rod Jackson.
Matt Laug wrote most of the guitar parts of "Landslide".
"Ain't Life Grand" is the first song Slash and Rod wrote together.
Slash composed the riff of "Speed Parade" to be used for the pinball machine Viper Pinball.
First promo version of the record featured two unreleased tracks: "Breed" and "What Kind Of Life".
Japanese version of the album contains two bonus tracks: "Rusted Heroes" and "Something About Your Love".
Ryan Roxie plays the second guitar solo of "Rusted Heroes".
The band recorded many songs during the sessions including covers "Superstition" and "Living For The City" from Stevie Wonder and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" from Temptations.
Seven months after its released, Ain't Life Grand sold 28,000 copies in the U.S.A..

Singles

	Been There Lately Slash's Snakepit From the album Ain't Life Grand Released: October 2000 Label: Koch Tracklist: 1. Been There Lately >> Official music video
	Mean Bone Slash's Snakepit From the album Ain't Life Grand Released: February 2001 Label: Koch Tracklist: 1. Mean Bone (radio edit) / 2. Rusted Heroes / 3. Mean Bone >> Official music video
	Ain't Life Grand (promo) Slash's Snakepit From the album Ain't Life Grand Released: 2000 Label: Koch Tracklist: 1. Ain't Life Grand
	Shine (promo) Slash's Snakepit From the album Ain't Life Grand Released: September 2001 Label: Koch Tracklist: 1. Shine >> Official music video