When people ask what band did slash play in, they usually expect a one-word answer. Guns. It is the obvious choice. Saul Hudson, the man behind the top hat and the Gibson Les Paul, is so synonymous with Guns N’ Roses that it’s hard to picture him anywhere else. But honestly? His career is a messy, sprawling web of side projects, supergroups, and session work that goes way deeper than "Welcome to the Jungle."
He’s a workaholic. If there is a stage and a Marshall stack, he’s probably going to plug in.
The Foundation: Guns N’ Roses and the Sunset Strip
You can't talk about Slash without starting at 1600 Gardner Street. That was the rehearsal space where the classic lineup solidified. Before the world knew them, Slash was actually in a band called Road Crew with Steven Adler and Duff McKagan. They couldn't find a singer. Meanwhile, Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin were doing their thing in Hollywood Rose.
The merger was inevitable.
When we look at what band did slash play in during that explosive 1987-1991 run, it was the "Most Dangerous Band in the World." Appetite for Destruction changed everything. It wasn't just the riffs; it was the tone. While everyone else was using thin, processed rack gear, Slash went back to a Les Paul and a cranked amp. It sounded dangerous because it was.
But the friction was real. By the mid-90s, the tension between Slash and Axl Rose became a wall. Axl wanted to move toward an industrial, synth-heavy sound. Slash wanted to play dirty rock and roll. He officially left in 1996, and for twenty years, most fans thought that was the end of that chapter. Of course, the 2016 "Not in This Lifetime" reunion proved us all wrong, and he’s been back in the GNR fold ever since.
Slash’s Snakepit: The Solo Flight
While GNR was imploding during the Use Your Illusion era, Slash had a pile of riffs that Axl didn't want. Instead of letting them rot, he formed Slash’s Snakepit.
This wasn't just a side project; it was a lifeline.
The first iteration featured GNR mates Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke, plus Mike Inez from Alice in Chains. Their 1995 album, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere, is a masterpiece of bluesy hard rock that often gets overlooked. It feels looser than GNR. It sounds like a guy who just wants to play without worrying about stadium pyrotechnics or 2-hour delays in start times.
He revived the Snakepit name again in 2000 with a completely different lineup for Ain't Life Grand. It was short-lived, but it bridged the gap between his GNR exit and the next massive peak in his career. If you want to understand his DNA as a player, listen to the Snakepit stuff. It’s raw. It’s unpolished. It’s exactly what he loves.
Velvet Revolver: The Supergroup That Actually Worked
Supergroups usually suck. They look great on paper and sound like a mess in the studio. Velvet Revolver was the exception to that rule.
In the early 2000s, Slash, Duff, and Matt Sorum reunited to find a new singer. They eventually landed on Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots. It was a volatile combination. You had the engine room of the world’s biggest rock band and the most charismatic (and troubled) frontman of the 90s.
Their debut, Contraband, went straight to number one in 2004. Hits like "Slither" and "Fall to Pieces" proved that Slash wasn't a relic of the 80s. He could adapt to the modern, grittier post-grunge landscape without losing his signature style. They released two albums before the wheels came off due to internal tensions and Weiland’s personal struggles. It was a brief, chaotic, and brilliant moment in rock history.
Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators
After Velvet Revolver fizzled out, Slash did a self-titled solo album in 2010. He had everyone on it: Fergie, Chris Cornell, Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy. But one singer stood out. Myles Kennedy.
That collaboration turned into a permanent band: Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators (SMKC).
This is arguably where Slash has been the most productive. They’ve released four albums:
- Apocalyptic Love (2012)
- World on Fire (2014)
- Living the Dream (2018)
- 4 (2022)
Unlike the drama of GNR or the volatility of Velvet Revolver, SMKC feels like a well-oiled machine. Myles has the range to sing anything, and the "Conspirators" (Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz, and Frank Sidoris) provide a rock-solid foundation. It’s the band where Slash seems the most relaxed. He isn't the "GNR guy" there; he’s just the lead guitar player in a killer rock band.
The "Other" Projects: Blues and Sessions
If you're still wondering what band did slash play in, don't forget Slash's Blues Ball. This was a touring cover band he had in the late 90s. No original material, just pure blues-rock covers. It was his way of getting back to his roots.
More recently, in 2024, he released Orgy of the Damned, a blues album that featured a rotating cast of singers like Brian Johnson and Steven Tyler. While not a permanent "band" in the traditional sense, it’s a huge part of his identity.
Then there are the sessions. Slash has played with everybody.
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- Michael Jackson ("Black or White," "Give In To Me")
- Lenny Kravitz ("Always on the Run")
- Rihanna ("Rockstar 101")
- Carole King
- Yardbirds
- Motörhead
He’s even on the Barbie movie soundtrack, playing guitar on "I'm Just Ken." That’s the thing about Slash—he doesn't discriminate. If the song is good, he’s in.
Why His Band History Matters
Slash is a survivor. Most of his peers from the Sunset Strip era disappeared or became nostalgia acts. Slash stayed relevant because he kept forming new groups. He never waited for Axl to call.
When you look at the timeline, it’s a story of evolution. He went from the raw punk-metal of GNR to the bluesy Snakepit, to the radio-ready Velvet Revolver, and finally to the consistent hard rock of The Conspirators. He’s one of the few guitarists whose "side projects" actually have gold and platinum records.
His playing style—that slinky, pentatonic-based melodicism—is the thread that ties it all together. Whether he’s backing Michael Jackson or shredding with Myles Kennedy, you know it’s him within two notes.
How to Explore Slash’s Discography
If you want to go beyond the hits, follow this path to truly understand his work:
- Start with "It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere" (Slash’s Snakepit). It’s the bridge between his early work and his solo identity.
- Listen to "Contraband" (Velvet Revolver). It’s the best example of how Slash fits into a 21st-century rock context.
- Check out "World on Fire" (SMKC). This album shows the technical precision he’s developed later in his career.
- Watch his live performances with the Blues Ball. There are plenty of bootlegs and clips online that show his improvisational skills.
Slash isn't just a guy who was in a famous band once. He’s a musician who has spent forty years building a massive body of work across half a dozen different groups. He is the rare rock star who is more interested in the next show than his past glory. If you see a guy in a top hat on a stage tonight, he’s probably in the middle of writing his next chapter.
The best way to appreciate Slash is to stop thinking of him as an ex-member of Guns N' Roses and start listening to him as a guitarist who happens to be a member of whatever band needs a soul. He has proven that the player is bigger than the brand. Take some time to dig into the Snakepit or Velvet Revolver catalogs; you'll find a lot more than just a "Welcome to the Jungle" vibe. You'll find a guy who just loves to play.