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Biography
Initially formed as Alice N’ Chains to dispel connotations of female bondage, the band’s early lineup included Layne Staley, guitarists Johnny Bacolas and Zoli Semanate, drummer James Bergstrom, and bassist Byron Hansen. Staley subsequently met guitarist Jerry Cantrell at Music Bank rehearsal studios, while working with Alice N’ Chains, and the two began living together. It wasn’t long before Staley and Cantrell were playing live together, and alongside drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr, ultimately formed Alice in Chains.
The band recorded an early demo tape, “The Treehouse Tapes”, aided by local promoter Randy Hauser, which caught the attentional of Columbia Records. By 1989 Alice in Chains were signed to Columbia’s roster, and released their debut promotional EP “We Die Young” in July 1990. The EP and lead single “We Die Young” both generated considerable success for the band, turning Alice in Chains into one of the label’s top priorities.
The group’s debut studio album “Facelift” was issued by Columbia in August 1990, peaking at No. 42 on the Billboard 200. Bridging the musical gap between grunge/alt-rock and heavy metal, the record proved a huge success aided by the singles “Man in the Box” and “Sea of Sorrow”. In support of the LP Alice in Chains toured extensively in support of Iggy Pop, Van Halen, Poison, and Extreme, before opening on the Clash of the Titans Tour.
Alice in Chain’s subsequent release was the acoustic EP “Sap” inspired by a dream drummer Sean Kinney had. Popularised by fellow Seattle-based band Nirvana, whose album “Nevermind” was at the top of the charts, Alice in Chain’s recognition was growing at an increasing rate. Focusing on the subject of addiction, with songs written on the road, the band’s sophomore full-length “Dirt” was released in September 1992. Rising to No. 6 on the Billboard 200, the record earned widespread critical acclaim, later being certified four-times platinum. Spawning the Top 30 singles “Would?”, “Rooster”, “Them Bones”, “Angry Chair”, and “Down in a Hole”, the record was supported by an opening slot for Ozzy Osbourne and on the 1993 Lollapalooza tour.
A second acoustic EP followed in 1994 entitled “Jar of Flies”, which subsequently became the first-ever EP to top the Billboard 200. Hauntingly sorrowful, the EP was written and recorded in one week and spawned the singles “No Excuses” and “I Stay Away”. Following a hiatus in which Staley entered rehab for his heroin addiction and joined the supergroup Mad Season, Alice In Chains released their self-titled, third album in November 1995. Once again topping the U.S. Billboard 200, the record earned a wave of esteemed reviews, following which the group recorded and released an MTV Unplugged session in 1996.
Following two years of struggles for Staley in 1998 he reunited with Alice in Chains to record two new songs “Get Born Again” and “Died”. The band went on to release a string of box-sets and compilation albums including “Nothing Safe: Best of the Box” and “Greatest Hits”, before in April 2002, Layne Staley was found dead in his condominium. The remaining members of Alice in Chains, including new vocalist William DuVall, returned in 2005 to play a benefit concert in aid of the tsunami disaster. Four years later, ahead of their fourth studio album, Alice in Chains released the single “A Looking in View” in June 2009. The full-length “Black Gives Way to Blue” followed in September, featuring Elton John on the title track. In 2013 Alice in Chains release their fifth studio album “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Her”, led by the singles “Hollow”, “Stone”, and “Voices”.
Live reviews
For a band of such iconic status, many people do not realise that Alice In Chains have only released five studio albums in their vast career that spans back to the late 80's. They are very much a group that believes in the mentality of quality over quantity. The quartet is known for having an anthemic live show and despite not relying on tricks and gimmicks of the stage, they still manage to entertain the crowds with vast sets of crippling instrumentals and thumping beats.
Demonstrating the highlights of their discography for anybody who may not know, going all the way back to the debut to air the likes of 'Dam The River' and 'Rooster'. These are of course received well and with extended instrumentals and new arrangements they seem fresh and classic all at once. The group really does enjoy showing off their musical prowess and they have turned 'We Die Young' into a sheer wall of sonar which the crowd really responds well to. By the final tones of 'Would?', the audience knows that the band clearly do not need more than five albums.
sean-ward
The first time I saw Alice in Chains was without a doubt the best concert I've been to that far in my life. They played all their best stuff, including 'Nutshell'. Jerry Cantrell and William DuVall's vocal duos are a worthy inheritor for the one and only Layne Staley. Then I saw them a second time later that year at an open-air festival, which was nearly as good as the first time. Despite all the drunk douchebags, I still managed to sing along to every single song. Because, after all, AIC is the best thing to ever happen to anything ever. I am so glad they finally played 'Angry Chair', but I have yet to hear 'Last of My Kind'. Or any Mad Season songs, I hoped I could get them to play one. Because of how powerful their rendition was, I had 'Your Decision' stuck in my head on nonstop loop for months afterwards.
Dechtakaar
Alice in Chains played for just under 2 hours at the Grey Eagle Event Centre in Calgary last night and everyone went home happy. The band rocked the place with their sludgy, doom metal, minor chord, disharmonies to the delight of their fans. They mixed their new and old material to good effect. Highlights included Rainier Fog and Red Giant from their latest album Rainier Fog and old classics Man in the Box and Rooster, which closed out a four song encore. If you are worried these guys might be too long in the tooth to really bring it don't be. Ironically, the loss of their iconic front man Lane Stayley in 2002 forced them through a refresh that may keep them relevant for years to come.
ryan.fowler
I saw the last 4 songs by Underoath. I thought they had one good song.
Alice in Chains was next. I was surprised at how many people were still sitting for this. THeir performance was good but I thought they played too many songs from Dirt. Last of my Kind and The One you Know were the only recent tracks that I recall hearing. Voices, Take her out and All Secrets known would have been nice to hear.
Korn pretty much put them away with their set. Maybe if it had been a 3 band bill instead of 4 bands, Alice would have had more playing time. The show was well worth it in any case but overall I thought Alice's set was too soft for me.
jeff-schneberk
Alice was incredible.. The professionalism of a band that has seen and done it all.. They changed up the set list from Austin and had the crowd singing with them .
The old hits were great !! So were the new!
Younger bands need to study and learn from these veteran rockers.
I would see them again in a heart beat., hopefully we will get an evening with Alice soon.
Everyone watch out " Alice is alive and screaming for you to listen !!!'
HERE COMES THE ROOSTER!!!
rcantu
I saw these guys on the 19th of July this year, in Warren, I was expecting an awesome show from my favorite band, but I got 10x what I expected, they played for an hour and a half straight, new stuff and old and they rocked it, and it's sad to see a band that can still play as well as these guys to in their age not headlining festivals, my favorite was by far It Ain't Like That which DuVall and Cantrell kiled on vocals, overall a 10/10 show from my favorite band
HumanWithAUsername
AIC has been my favorite band since 92/93! I had never seen them perform until 8/13/19, unfortunately missing a couple of opportunities in the past. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time in several years that they've toured in Michigan and I wasn't missing this one! They did not disappoint, I could have listened to them for several more hours if they would have played. I love those guys!!!
matt-scheffler
I saw AIC live at Massey Hall on May 1st in Toronto. THEY WERE TRULY AWESOME!! Great set list, awesome songs and the sound was simply amazing. The guys were captivating from the second they walked on stage to the end where they threw a box full of guitar picks into the crowd. My 12 year old son and I were very happy to have been part of this kick-ass show. AIC #1
Alexandra
Alexa75
I Saw Alice in chains at the beginning of this year and was blown away this time they seem to be a little tired and overheated cuz it was Phoenix in about a hundred and five degrees.also at both shows they did not play the song Rainier fog the title track from their new album it's just driven me crazy. Corn on the other hand was amazing!
big-daddy-2
The AIC concert at the MTelus, formerly known as the Métropolis in Montréal, was one of the best concerts I've seen in a very long time! The band played for close to two hours and they played all of their greatest hits. They sounded exceptional and were very tight and solid. I would recommend seeing them live. A very memorable night!
philippe-lebrun
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