Alice in Chains

  • Seattle, WA
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  • Alternative
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  • 1987
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About Alice in Chains

Official Site: sonymusic.com | facebook.com/aliceinchains


In many ways, Alice in Chains was the definitive heavy metal band of the early '90s. Drawing equally from the heavy riffing of post-Van Halen metal and the gloomy strains of post-punk, the band developed a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers. They were hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands. While this dichotomy helped the group soar to multi-platinum status with their second album, 1992's Dirt, it also divided them. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell always leaned toward the mainstream, while vocalist Layne Staley was fascinated with the seamy underground. Such tension drove the band toward stardom in their early years, but following Dirt, Alice in Chains suffered from near-crippling internal tensions that kept the band off the road for the remainder of the '90s and, consequently, the group never quite fulfilled their potential.

Staley formed the initial incarnation of the band while in high school in the mid-'80s, naming the group Alice N Chains. Staley met Cantrell in 1987 at the Seattle rehearsal warehouse the Music Bank and the two began working together, changing the group's name to Alice in Chains. Cantrell's friends Mike Starr (bass) and Sean Kinney (drums) rounded out the lineup, and the band began playing local Seattle clubs. Columbia Records signed the group in 1989 and the label quickly made the band a priority, targeting heavy metal audiences. Early in 1990, the label released the We Die Young EP as a promotional device and the song became a hit on metal radio, setting the stage for the summer release of the group's debut, Facelift. Alice in Chains supported the album by opening for Van Halen, Poison, and Iggy Pop, and it became a hit, going gold by the end of the year. As the band prepared their second album, they released the largely acoustic EP Sap in 1991 to strong reviews.

Prior to the release of Alice in Chains' second album, Seattle became a media sensation thanks to the surprise success of Nirvana. As a result, Alice was now marketed as an alternative band, not as a metal outfit, and the group landed a song, the menacing "Would?," on the Singles soundtrack during the summer of 1992. "Would?" helped build anticipation for Dirt, the group's relentlessly bleak second album that was released in the fall of 1992 to very good reviews. Following its release, Starr left and was replaced by Mike Inez. Dirt went platinum by the end of 1992, but its gloomy lyrics launched many rumors that Staley was addicted to heroin. Alice in Chains soldiered on in the face of such criticism, performing successfully on the third Lollapalooza tour in 1993, which helped Dirt reach sales of three million.

The band released the low-key EP Jar of Flies in early 1994. It debuted at number one upon its release, becoming the first EP to top the album charts. Despite the band's continued success, they stayed off the road, which fueled speculation that Staley was mired in heroin addiction. Later that year, Staley did give a few concerts as part of the Gacy Bunch, a Seattle supergroup also featuring Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, the Screaming Trees' Barrett Martin, and John Saunders. The group subsequently renamed itself Mad Season and released Above in early 1995. Later that year, Alice in Chains re-emerged with an eponymous third album, which debuted at number one on the American charts. Again, the band chose not to tour, which launched yet another round of speculation that the band was suffering from various addictions and were on the verge of disbanding. The group did give one concert -- their first in three years -- in 1996, performing for an episode of MTV Unplugged, which was released as an album that summer. Despite its success, the album did nothing to dispel doubts about the group's future and neither did Cantrell's solo album, Boggy Depot, in 1998.

Cantrell basically released Boggy Depot because he couldn't get Staley to work, but its very existence -- and the presence of Inez and Kinney on the record, not to mention Alice producer Toby Wright -- seemed to confirm that the group was on moratorium at best, and defunct at worst. Staley, for his part, stayed quiet, conceding his spot on Mad Season's second album to Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan. In 1999, Sony put together a three-disc Alice in Chains box set, Music Bank, divided between the group's best work and assorted rarities. At the turn of the new millennium, Columbia Records issued Live, which plucked material from bootlegs, demos, and festival shows covering the years 1990, 1993, and 1996.

As if the group hadn't been repackaged as many times as possible with its limited repertoire, a ten-track best-of set, Greatest Hits, appeared in July 2001. With no sign of the group reclaiming their spot atop the alt-metal heap (and such copycat acts as Godsmack, Days of the New, Puddle of Mudd, and Creed taking the Alice in Chains formula to the top of the charts), Cantrell completed his sophomore solo effort, Degradation Trip, in 2002. But just two months before the album's release, in April 2002, the news that every Alice in Chains fan had been fearing for years had finally come to pass: Layne Staley was found dead due to a lethal overdose of cocaine and heroin. (Former bassist Mike Starr also battled his own addictions through the years, and in fact appeared on the VH1 reality show Celebrity Rehab in 2010; Starr continued to fight chemical dependency until his death in March 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah.) Although understandably grief-stricken, Cantrell launched his solo album's supporting tour according to schedule, opting to open shows in the summer for another Alice in Chains-influenced band, Nickelback. Alice in Chains spent the next few years in limbo, eventually reuniting in 2005 for a benefit show with Damageplan vocalist Pat Lachman filling in for the deceased Staley. After rotating through a handful of different singers, the group eventually settled on Comes with the Fall vocalist William DuVall, who appeared on the group's 2009 comeback record Black Gives Way to Blue.

Black Gives Way to Blue was a successful comeback, debuting at five on the Billboard 200 and going gold in the U.S. and Canada, while racking up two Grammy nominations. The group toured into 2010 and then in 2011 set to work on another album, titled The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, which arrived in the summer of 2013. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Greg Prato, Rovi

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Music

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  • Your Decision (Live)
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Your Decision (Live)
  • Would? (Live)
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Would? (Live)
  • Stone
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Stone
  • Stone (Lyric Video)
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Stone (Lyric Video)
  • Hollow
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Hollow
  • Lessons Learned
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Lessons Learned
  • Dam That River (Live)
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Dam That River (Live)
  • Your Decision
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Your Decision
  • Check My Brain
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Check My Brain
  • Sea of Sorrow
    alice-in-chains
    Video
    Sea of Sorrow

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • Rock The Deuce With Alice In Chains
    alice-in-chains
    playlist
    Rock The Deuce With Alice In Chains
  • Wet N' Wild With Alice in Chains
    alice-in-chains
    video
    Wet N' Wild With Alice in Chains
  • Headbangers Ball - Dimebag Darrell Induction (2007)
    alice-in-chains
    playlist
    Headbangers Ball - Dimebag Darrell Induction (2007)
  • Poolside With Alice in Chains
    alice-in-chains
    video
    Poolside With Alice in Chains

Photos

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  • Alice In Chains Layne Staley 1990's File Photo in Los Angeles, California
    Alice in Chains
    Alice In Chains Layne Staley 1990's File Photo in Los Angeles, California
    Marty Temme/WireImage
  • Layne Staley - Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains
    Layne Staley - Alice in Chains
    Marty Temme/WireImage
  • Mike Starr of Alice In Chains File Photo 1990's
    Alice in Chains
    Mike Starr of Alice In Chains File Photo 1990's
    Marty Temme/WireImage
  • Alice in Chains' official first record company photo session  in 1990.  Layne Staley (sitting, center) at the Seattle in Seattle, Washington
    Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains' official first record company photo session in 1990. Layne Staley (sitting, center) at the Seattle in Seattle, Washington
    Annamaria DiSanto/WireImage
  • Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains
    Paul Natkin
  • William DuVall of Alice in Chains backstage at the 2nd Annual Rock Honors
    Alice in Chains
    William DuVall of Alice in Chains backstage at the 2nd Annual Rock Honors
    Evans Ward/jpistudios.com/VH1
  • Janell Snowden with William DuVall of Alice in Chains backstage at the 2nd Annual Rock Honors
    Alice in Chains
    Janell Snowden with William DuVall of Alice in Chains backstage at the 2nd Annual Rock Honors
    Evans Ward/jpistudios.com/VH1
  • Mike Inez, Chad Kroeger, and Jerry Cantrell backstage at the 2nd Annual Rock Honors
    Alice in Chains
    Mike Inez, Chad Kroeger, and Jerry Cantrell backstage at the 2nd Annual Rock Honors
    Evans Ward/jpistudios.com/VH1
  • (L-R) Musicians Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, William DuVall, and Sean Kinney from the band Alice In Chains pose backstage during the 2nd annual VH1 Rock Honors.
    Alice in Chains
    (L-R) Musicians Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, William DuVall, and Sean Kinney from the band Alice In Chains pose backstage during the 2nd annual VH1 Rock Honors.
    Frank Micelotta/Getty Images for VH1
  • Musicians Mike Inez, Jerry Cantrell, William DuVall, and Sean Kinney from the band Alice In Chains pose during the 2nd annual VH1 Rock Honors ring presentation.
    Alice in Chains
    Musicians Mike Inez, Jerry Cantrell, William DuVall, and Sean Kinney from the band Alice In Chains pose during the 2nd annual VH1 Rock Honors ring presentation.
    Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

News

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  • Alice in Chains
    'Star Trek Into Darkness' Spoiler Special: Burning Questions Answered
    MTV News
    May 20, 2013
    Co-writer Damon Lindelof exclusively addresses the mysteries surrounding the blockbuster.
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains back in "Black" after 14 years
    music.yahoo.com
    recording with the band's current lineup. "It'd be a disservice to Layne's legacy to not keep moving forward with this project," he says. "You hope it...
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    Alice In Chains Are Back In 'Black' | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    In the midst of its first reunion tour in the summer of 2006, veteran hard rock act Alice in Chains played to a crowd of 30,000 at Portugal's Super Bo...
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    R.I.P. Alice In Chains Bassist Mike Starr
    prefixmag.com
    Starr's father has called his son's death "a terrible shock and tragedy." The bassist was found in a house in Salt Lake City yesterday after police re...
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    R.I.P. Alice in Chains Bassist Mike Starr
    www.pitchfork.com
    played briefly in the band Sun Red Sun. Starr's former Alice in Chains bandmate Layne Staley died of an overdose in 2002. In 2009 and 2010, Starr appe...
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains Ex-Bassist Mike Starr Found Dead | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    . One of the two arresting officers reported that Starr readily identified himself. "Hey officer, have you heard of Alice In Chains? I used to be the ...
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    Mike Starr Remembered by Alice in Chains Bandmates, Rockers | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    of the joking about tiger blood and winning, let's not forget that drugs kill people." ... Mike Starr Remembered by Alice in Chains Bandmates, Rockers...
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    Alice In Chains - "Hollow" Video
    stereogum.com
    When we first wrote about Alice In Chains' new single "Hollow," the song was paired with a cheap but inventive fan-made Instagram video -- which some ...
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  • Alice in Chains
    Jerry Cantrell on New Alice in Chains Album: 'There's Some Real Filth in There'
    www.rollingstone.com
    Jerry Cantrell Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Alice in Chains' new album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, comes out this May. It's the Seattle's band foll...
    Read More
  • Alice in Chains
    Jerry Cantrell on New Alice in Chains Album: 'There's Some Real Filth in There'
    music.yahoo.com
    RELATED CONTENTView Photo Jerry Cantrell on New Alice in Chains Album: 'There's Some Real Filth in There' Alice in Chains' new album, The Devil Put Di...
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  • Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains Deny They'll Be Extinct After 'Dinosaurs'
    www.billboard.com
    Alice In Chains will not be going the way of the dinosaur following the release of their upcoming album, so says band leader Jerry Cantrell, respondin...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • May 22 Wednesday
    Evansville, IN, US Aiken Theatre at the Centre
    Buy Ticket
  • May 24 Friday
    Pryor, OK, US Unknown venue
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  • May 24 Friday
    Lincoln, NE, US Pinewood Bowl Theater
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  • May 24 Friday
    Pryor, OK, US Fever Music Festival Grounds
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  • May 26 Sunday
    San Antonio, TX, US AT&T Center
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  • Jun 14 Friday
    Castle Donington, UK Donington Park
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  • Jul 1 Monday
    Vancouver, BC, Canada Deer Lake Park
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  • Jul 2 Tuesday
    Calgary, AB, Canada Cowboys
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  • Jul 4 Thursday
    Edmonton, AB, Canada Rexall Place
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  • Jul 6 Saturday
    Regina, SK, Canada Brandt Centre
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  • Jul 8 Monday
    Winnipeg, MB, Canada MTS Centre
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  • Jul 9 Tuesday
    St. Paul, MN, US Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St. Paul Rivercentre
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  • Jul 11 Thursday
    London, ON, Canada Budweiser Gardens
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  • Jul 15 Monday
    Montreal, QC, Canada Metropolis
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  • Jul 18 Thursday
    Ottawa, ON, Canada LeBreton Flats
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  • Aug 9 Friday
    Scranton, PA, US Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain
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  • Aug 10 Saturday
    Hartford, CT, US Comcast Theatre
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  • Aug 11 Sunday
    Darien Center, NY, US Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
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  • Aug 13 Tuesday
    Saratoga Springs, NY, US Saratoga Performing Arts Center
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  • Aug 14 Wednesday
    Mansfield, MA, US Comcast Center
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  • Aug 16 Friday
    Bristow, VA, US Jiffy Lube Live
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  • Aug 17 Saturday
    Holmdel, NJ, US PNC Bank Arts Center
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  • Aug 18 Sunday
    Wantagh, NY, US Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
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  • Aug 20 Tuesday
    Toronto, ON, Canada Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
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  • Aug 20 Tuesday
    Toronto, ON, Canada Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
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  • Aug 22 Thursday
    Tinley Park, IL, US First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
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  • Aug 23 Friday
    Noblesville, IN, US Klipsch Music Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 24 Saturday
    Clarkston, MI, US DTE Energy Music Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 28 Wednesday
    Dallas, TX, US Gexa Energy Pavilion
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  • Aug 28 Wednesday
    Dallas, TX, US Gexa Energy Pavilion
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  • Aug 29 Thursday
    The Woodlands, TX, US Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
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  • Sep 2 Monday
    West Valley City, UT, US USANA Amphitheatre
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  • Sep 6 Friday
    George, WA, US Gorge Amphitheatre
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  • Sep 7 Saturday
    George, WA, US Gorge Amphitheatre
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  • Sep 8 Sunday
    Ridgefield, WA, US Sleep Country Amphitheater
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  • Sep 11 Wednesday
    Mountain View, CA, US Shoreline Amphitheatre
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  • Sep 14 Saturday
    Chula Vista, CA, US Sleep Train Amphitheatre
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  • Sep 15 Sunday
    Irvine, CA, US Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
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  • Sep 19 Thursday
    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Cidade do Rock
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 26 Saturday
    Las Vegas, NV, US Pearl Concert Theater
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)
    Alice in Chains
    The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)
    Virgin
  • Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
    Alice in Chains
    Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
    Virgin
  • Live (2000)
    Alice in Chains
    Live (2000)
    Columbia
  • Unplugged (1996)
    Alice in Chains
    Unplugged (1996)
    Columbia
  • Alice in Chains (1995)
    Alice in Chains
    Alice in Chains (1995)
    Columbia
  • Dirt (1992)
    Alice in Chains
    Dirt (1992)
    Columbia
  • Facelift (1990)
    Alice in Chains
    Facelift (1990)
    Columbia
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