Saliva emerged from Memphis, Tennessee in 1996 as a potent force in the alternative metal and nu-metal scenes, known for their aggressive yet melodic sound that captured the angst and energy of the era. The band's original lineup featured vocalist Josey Scott, guitarist Chris D'Abaldo, bassist Dave Novotny, and drummer Todd Poole. They built a strong regional following with a relentless touring schedule and a self-titled debut album in 1997, which laid the groundwork for their major-label breakthrough.

The band's national profile skyrocketed with their 2001 sophomore album, "Every Six Seconds," released on Island Records. This record contained their explosive breakthrough hit, "Click Click Boom," which became an anthem on rock radio and was prominently featured in the film The Fast and the Furious. The album's success was solidified by the follow-up single, "Your Disease," which further cemented their place on rock charts and MTV. Saliva's music became synonymous with professional wrestling, as they recorded the theme song "I Walk Alone" for WWE superstar Batista and frequently performed at WWE events.

Saliva achieved their greatest commercial success in 2002 with the album "Back into Your System." The power ballad "Always" became a massive crossover hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and crossing over to pop audiences, earning platinum certification. This era represented the peak of their popularity, with the band performing on major tours like Ozzfest and sharing stages with acts like Sevendust and Linkin Park. The band underwent several lineup changes over the years, with guitarist Wayne Swinny becoming a constant and defining musical presence alongside Scott.

After the departure of longtime frontman Josey Scott in 2011, the band persevered, with guitarist Bobby Amaru stepping into the lead vocal role. This new iteration of Saliva continued to record and tour consistently, releasing albums like "Rise Up" (2014) and "10 Lives" (2018), demonstrating a resilient connection with their core fanbase. Their music continued to find a home in various media, including video games like "Madden NFL 2003" and films such as The Scorpion King. Despite the shifting landscape of rock music, Saliva maintained their identity as a hard-touring band dedicated to the heavy, riff-driven sound that first brought them to prominence, securing their legacy as stalwarts of early 2000s rock.