Band: Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains arose from Seattle at the same time as the grunge scene and are still often considered as part of that scene. While their music encompassed aspects of grunge, Alice in Chains had formed as a hard rock/metal band in the mid-80s before developing a brooding, moody and at times depressing style that remains unique to this day despite the myriad of copyists to have emerged since. ‘Facelift’ stands as the album that is closest to their metallic roots. ‘Dirt’ was a gloomy, grungy volume the dealt almost exclusively with Staley’s battle with drugs, centrepieced by “Rooster”, the emotional dedication to Cantrell’s Vietnam-vet father. It remains one of the classic albums of the 1990s. BY the third album Staley had spiralled even further into hopeless drug dependency and much of it was recorded without him. The mood was even gloomier than before with a sludgier feel to many of the tracks. Despite a triumphant live return that was recorded as the Unplugged set, the band became unable to continue due to Staley’s insurmountable drug addiction and while still technically together, Alice in Chains remained inactive. Finally, Staley was found dead aged 34 in April 2002 after succumbing to a drug overdose three weeks before and the band split. All of their work comes highly recommended.
Alice in Chains reformed in 2006 to play a few shows with guest singers including Ann Wilson of Heart, Phil Anselmo from Pantera, Pat Lachman of Damageplan, Maynard Keenan from TOOL and Wes Scantlin of Puddle of Mudd. William DuVall and Duff McKagan joined the band on a subsequent reunion tour, with DuVall since signing on a lead vocalist.
Current (or Last Known) Lineup
Musician | Instruments | Currently Also In | Used To Be In | Guest Appearances |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar | Ozzy Osbourne | Metallica | |
William DuVall | Vocals | |||
Mike Inez | Bass | Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne | Motörhead | |
Sean Kinney | Drums | Metallica |
Past Lineup (Members Who Never Appeared on an Album)
Discography (22 Releases)
2009 - Black Gives Way to Blue by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
William DuVall | Vocals |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
2001 - Greatest Hits (comp) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
2000 - Live (live) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1999 - Music Bank (box set) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1999 - Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (comp.) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1996 - MTV Unplugged (live) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1996 - Heaven Beside You (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1995 - Alice In Chains by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1995 - Grind (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1994 - No Excuses (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1994 - Jar Of Flies (EP) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Inez | Bass |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
1993 - What the Hell Have I (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1993 - Down In A Hole (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1993 - Angry Chair (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1993 - Rooster (Single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1992 - Them Bones (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1992 - Dirt by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1992 - Would? (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1992 - Sap (EP) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1991 - Man In The Box (single) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1990 - Facelift by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |
1990 - We Die Young (EP) by Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell | Vocals, Guitar |
Sean Kinney | Drums |
Layne Staley | Vocals, Guitar |
Mike Starr | Bass |