This Memphis, Tennessee, USA-based hard rock act was formed in 1996 by Josey Scott (b. Joseph Sappington, 3 May 1971, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; vocals), Chris D’abaldo (guitar), Wayne Swinny (guitar), Dave Novotny (bass), and Paul Crosby (drums). The quintet, all of whom were veterans of the Memphis music scene, made an immediate impact the following year by reaching the national finals of a Grammy Showcase competition. They elected to build up a loyal fanbase before committing themselves to any major label recording contract, however, and released their roughly produced debut on the independent label, Rocking Chair Records. The band eventually signed with Island Records, and relocated to Hollywood to record their polished second album, Every Six Seconds. The set, which built on the rough mix of hip-hop and hard rock mix essayed on their debut, enjoyed modest success on the national charts following its release in March 2001.
Lead singer Josey Scott enjoyed a transatlantic hit in 2002 with ‘Hero’, a collaboration with Nickelback vocalist Chad Kroeger taken from the soundtrack of Spiderman. During the same period Saliva completed work on their second major label release, Back Into Your System. Their third album for Island/Def Jam, 2004’s snappily titled Survival Of The Sickest, lost some of the hip-hop beats in opting for a more radio-friendly heavy rock approach. Jonathan Montoya replaced guitarist D’abaldo the following year.
