POP MUSIC REVIEW : Snakepit Misses Part of the Rock Equation

Behind every great hard-rock singer is a strong guitarist, and with his side project Snakepit, Guns N’ Roses’ guitarist Slash demonstrates just how much of that band’s grittily tuneful soul resides in his guitar. Snakepit’s album “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” could very nearly be a GNR album, but on stage it’s a slightly different story. At the Palace on Saturday the few crucial differences played themselves out.

Though singer Eric Dover (on loan from Jellyfish) packs a raspy voice that’s on a par with Axl Rose’s, on stage he proved to be a rather staid performer. Without Rose-style antics to keep things centered, Slash often seemed trapped in the spotlight, unleashing his molten solos while striking one of about four stock stances.

Former GNR rhythm guitarist Gilby Clarke charismatically led the band through two rousing songs from his solo album--”Cure Me . . . Or Kill Me” and “Tijuana Jail”--but he remained respectfully in check the rest of the set.

Fronting any band entails more than just singing. It means acting as a focal point for the band as well as the audience. As powerful a singer as Dover is, the dynamics of Snakepit call for a frontman with a bit more bite.