Snakepit signs with Koch Records

SLASH's SNAKEPIT has signed with Koch Records, which will release his Ain't Life Grand album on September 26. They've also got the opening slot on the first leg of the AC/DC tour. Snakepit includes singer ROD JACKSON, drummer MATT LAUG, bassist JOHNNY BLACKOUT, and guitarist KERI KELLI, who'd of late been doing double duty with RATT and WARRANT (both bands will need new guitarists if thier summer tour ever happens). Kelli fills RYAN ROXIE's place, who's on tour with ALICE COOPER. SOS will be playing at THE CONTINENTAL, 25 3rd Ave and St Marks Pl. in New York on July 5th. They go on at 11:00. They'll also be appearing at LAKESIDES, 260 SMITHTOWN BLVD, in NESCONSET on July 7th. They'll go on at 10:00. REB BEACH, who is currently on the road with DOKKEN and the "Power to the People" tour, is releasing his debut solo album on July 12th in Japan. See www.rebbeach.com for more info. Two of ZAKK WYLDE's guitars, including his original bullseye design, were stolen during his appearance in Dallas on Friday night. Wylde is devastated by the loss of the bullseye guitar, which was a gift from his parents for his high school graduation and is the instrument he used to write his first song with OZZY OSBOURNE. If you have any information regarding this theft, please e-mail RandyCanis@yahoo.com. Canis adds, "If you stole it and your guilt is getting to you, you can mail it directly to me at Randy Canis, 10 South Broadway Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63102 and I will return it directly to Zakk. I will provide a FedEx number so you can send it back." ... Uhh, Zakk... Here's something you may not have thought of... If your axe holds so much sentimental value, why on Earth are you touring with it? Guitars get ripped off from gigs all the time (just ask Dimebag from PANTERA, who's lost more than his share). Hell, you could even have a replica made so that you could appear to be using the real deal. Think man, think! According to motley.com, RANDY CASTILLO will return to MÖTLEY CRÜE's "Maximum Rock" tour on July 8th in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Castillo, who had stomach surgery several weeks ago and has been temporarily replaced by SAMANTHA MALONEY of HOLE, posted at the site that he is "feeling great and can't wait to get out there and play my ass off! Can't miss playing my home town," he said of Albuquerque. "My bags are packed!" POISON's BRET MICHAELS will participate in a couple of upcoming cyberchats from the road, one at MSN.com on July 10 at 9 PM ET and the other at Yahoo.com on July 13 at 8 PM ET. SLAYER plans to re-record several of their older songs for a boxed set to be released next year. This compilation will also include demos, alternative versions, plus live and backstage video footage.