Alice in Chains: Difference between revisions
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| Origin = [[Seattle]], Washington, USA |
| Origin = [[Seattle]], Washington, USA |
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| Years_active = 1987–2002, 2005–present |
| Years_active = 1987–2002, 2005–present |
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| Genre = [[ |
| Genre = [[Alternative Metal]], [[Grunge]], [[Heavy Hetal music|heavy metal]], [[Alternative Rock ]],[[Hard Rock]],[[Sludge Metal]] |
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| Label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]/[[EMI Records|EMI]] |
| Label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]/[[EMI Records|EMI]] |
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| Associated_acts = [[Alice N' Chains]], [[Class of '99]], [[Comes with the Fall]], [[Mad Season]], [[Spys4Darwin]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Heart (band)|Heart]] |
| Associated_acts = [[Alice N' Chains]], [[Class of '99]], [[Comes with the Fall]], [[Mad Season]], [[Spys4Darwin]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Heart (band)|Heart]] |
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Alice in Chains soon became a top priority of the label, who released the band's first official recording in July 1990, a promotional [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[We Die Young]]''. The EP's lead single, "[[We Die Young]]", became a hit on metal radio. After its success, the label rushed Alice in Chains' debut album into production with producer [[Dave Jerden]].<ref name="AiC Dirt">{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/dirt.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060703145800/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/dirt.aspx| archivedate=2006-07-03 |title=Discography – ''Dirt'' |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2008-02-09}}</ref> Cantrell stated the album was intended to have a "moody aura" that was a "direct result of the brooding atmosphere and feel of Seattle".<ref name="Who is Alice and why is She in Chains?">{{cite journal| author=Moses, Michael |year=1991 |month=September |title=Alice in Chains: Who is Alice and Why is She in Chains? |publisher=''Rockbeat'' magazine}}</ref> |
Alice in Chains soon became a top priority of the label, who released the band's first official recording in July 1990, a promotional [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[We Die Young]]''. The EP's lead single, "[[We Die Young]]", became a hit on metal radio. After its success, the label rushed Alice in Chains' debut album into production with producer [[Dave Jerden]].<ref name="AiC Dirt">{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/dirt.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060703145800/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/dirt.aspx| archivedate=2006-07-03 |title=Discography – ''Dirt'' |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2008-02-09}}</ref> Cantrell stated the album was intended to have a "moody aura" that was a "direct result of the brooding atmosphere and feel of Seattle".<ref name="Who is Alice and why is She in Chains?">{{cite journal| author=Moses, Michael |year=1991 |month=September |title=Alice in Chains: Who is Alice and Why is She in Chains? |publisher=''Rockbeat'' magazine}}</ref> |
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The resulting album, ''[[Facelift (album)|Facelift]]'', was released on August 21, 1990, peaking at number 42 in the summer of 1991 on the ''Billboard 200'' chart.<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History">{{cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=3943&model.vnuAlbumId=624727 |title=Alice in Chains – Artist chart History |publisher=[[Billboard.com]] |accessdate=2007-11-09}}</ref> ''Facelift'' was not an instant success, selling under 40,000 copies in the first six months of |
The resulting album, ''[[Facelift (album)|Facelift]]'', was released on August 21, 1990, peaking at number 42 in the summer of 1991 on the ''Billboard 200'' chart.<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History">{{cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=3943&model.vnuAlbumId=624727 |title=Alice in Chains – Artist chart History |publisher=[[Billboard.com]] |accessdate=2007-11-09}}</ref> ''Facelift'' was not an instant success, selling under 40,000 copies in the first six months of rel |
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''Facelift'' was certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] by the end of 1990, while the band continued to hone its audience, opening for such artists as [[Iggy Pop]],<ref name="Alice in Chains eNotes Biography">{{cite web| author=Glickman, Simon |url=http://www.enotes.com/contemporary-musicians/alice-chains-biography |title=Enotes – Alice in Chains |publisher=Enotes.com |accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> [[Van Halen]], [[Poison (band)|Poison]],<ref name="Who is Alice and why is She in Chains?"/> and [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]].<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World"/> In early 1991, Alice in Chains landed the opening slot for the [[Clash of the Titans (tour)|Clash of the Titans]] with [[Anthrax (band)|Anthrax]], [[Megadeth]], and [[Slayer]], exposing the band to a wide metal audience.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59909 |title=Alice in Chains Guitarist Discusses 1990 Clash of the Titans tour, Touring With Ozzy |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2007-10-07 |accessdate=2008-02-09}}</ref> Alice in Chains was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance|Best Hard Rock Performance]] Grammy Award in 1992 for "Man in the Box", but lost to Van Halen for their 1991 album ''[[For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge]]''.<ref name="First Grammy">{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1992/grammys.htm |title=34th Grammy Awards – 1992 |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Jerry Cantrell - Alice in Chains - Roskilde Festival 2010.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Guitarist Jerry Cantrell is a co-founder of the band. He is credited, along with Staley, with creating the band's notable sound.]] |
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Following the tour, Alice in Chains entered the studio to record demos for its next album, but ended up recording five acoustic songs instead.<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World"/> While in the studio, drummer Sean Kinney had a dream about "making an EP called ''Sap''".<ref name="Alice in Chains eNotes Biography"/> The band decided "not to mess with fate", and on March 21, 1992, Alice in Chains released their second EP, ''[[Sap (album)|Sap]]''. The EP was released while [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s ''[[Nevermind (album)|Nevermind]]'' was at the top of the ''Billboard'' 200 charts, resulting in a rising popularity of Seattle-based bands, and the term [[grunge|grunge music]].<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World"/> ''Sap'' was soon certified gold. The EP features guest vocals by [[Ann Wilson]] from the band [[Heart (band)|Heart]], who joined Staley and Cantrell for the choruses of "Brother", "Am I Inside" and "Love Song". The EP also features [[Mark Arm]] of [[Mudhoney]] and [[Chris Cornell]] of [[Soundgarden]], who appeared together on the song "Right Turn", credited to "[[Alice Mudgarden]]" in the liner notes.<ref>{{cite album-notes |bandname=Alice in Chains |title=Right Turn |year=1992 |publisher=[[Columbia Records]] |publisherid=Buttnugget publishing/Jack Lord Music 67059}}</ref> In 1992, Alice in Chains appeared in the [[Cameron Crowe]] film ''[[Singles (1992 film)|Singles]]'', performing as a "bar band".<ref name="Singles film">{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_singles.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061125070118/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_singles.aspx| archivedate=2006-11-25 |title=Singles – Soundtracks and music scores |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> The band also contributed the song "[[Would?]]" to the film's [[Singles (soundtrack)|soundtrack]], whose video received an award for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film|Best Video from a Film]] at the [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref name="MTV AWARD">{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1993/mtvvmas.htm |title=1993 MTV Video Music Awards |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> |
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===''Dirt'' (1992–93)=== |
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{{listen |
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|filename=Would? - Alice in Chains.ogg |
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|title="Would?" (1992) |
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|description=A sample of "[[Would?]]" from ''[[Dirt (album)|Dirt]]''. The song originally appeared on the [[Singles (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] to the film ''[[Singles (1992 film)|Singles]]''. "Would?" is one of Alice in Chains' signature songs, appearing at nearly every concert the band has performed since its release. |
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|format=[[Ogg]]}} |
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In February 1992, the band returned to the studio. With new songs written primarily on the road, the material has an overall darker feel than ''Facelift'', with six of the album's twelve songs dealing with addiction.<ref name="Digging Dirt">{{cite journal |year=1993 |month=February |author=Turman, Katherine |title=Digging Dirt |publisher=''RIP'' magazine}}</ref> "We did a lot of soul searching on this album. There's a lot of intense feelings."<ref name="Digging Dirt"/> Cantrell said, "We deal with our daily demons through music. All of the poison that builds up during the day we cleanse when we play".<ref name="Link with Brutality"/> |
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On September 29, 1992, Alice in Chains released its second album, ''[[Dirt (album)|Dirt]]''. The album peaked at number six on the ''Billboard'' 200, and since its release has been certified quadruple [[RIAA certification|platinum]] by the RIAA, making ''Dirt'' the band's highest selling album to date.<ref name="Music Bank"/><ref name="AiC Dirt"/> The album was a critical success, with Steve Huey of Allmusic praising the album as a "major artistic statement, and the closest they ever came to recording a flat-out masterpiece".<ref name="AMG Dirt">{{cite web |author=Huey, Steve |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:dbfyxq95ldse |title=Dirt |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=2008-01-01}}</ref> Chris Gill of ''[[Guitar World]]'' called ''Dirt'' "huge and foreboding, yet eerie and intimate", and "sublimely dark and brutally honest".<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World"/> ''Dirt'' spawned five top 30 singles, including "[[Rooster (song)|Rooster]]", "[[Them Bones]]", and "[[Down in a Hole]]", and remained on the charts for nearly a year.<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History"/><ref name="Remembering Layne Staley">{{cite web| author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=2004-04-06 |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1486206/20040406/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=Remembering Layne Staley: The Other Great Seattle Musician To Die On April 5 |
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|publisher=[[VH1]] |accessdate=2007-12-22}}</ref> Alice in Chains was added as openers to [[Ozzy Osbourne]]'s ''No More Tears'' tour. Days before the tour began, Layne Staley broke his foot in an [[All-terrain vehicle|ATV]] accident, forcing him to use crutches on stage.<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World"/> While on tour, Starr left the band, and was replaced by former Ozzy Osbourne bassist [[Mike Inez]].<ref name="Starr leave">{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/biography/default.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060719150353/http://www.aliceinchains.com/biography/default.aspx| archivedate=2006-07-19 |title=2006 band bio – Aliceinchains.com |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2007-12-14}}</ref> In 1993, the band recorded two songs with Inez, "[[What the Hell Have I]]" and "A Little Bitter", for the ''[[Last Action Hero]]'' soundtrack.<ref name="Last Action Hero">{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_lastAction.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070308215905/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_lastAction.aspx| archivedate=2007-03-08 |title=Last Action Hero – Soundtracks and music scores |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2007-11-24}}</ref> During the summer of 1993, Alice in Chains toured with the [[alternative rock|alternative music]] festival [[Lollapalooza]], their last major tour with Staley.<ref name="Staley dead-VH1">{{cite web| author=D'Angelo, Joe |date=2002-04-20 |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1453520/04202002/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=Layne Staley, Alice In Chains Singer, Dead At 34 |publisher=[[VH1]] |accessdate=2007-11-25}}</ref> |
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===''Jar of Flies'' (1993–94)=== |
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Following Alice in Chains' extensive 1993 world tour, Staley said the band "just wanted to go into the studio for a few days with our acoustic guitars and see what happened".<ref name="Layne talks Jar of Flies">{{cite journal| author=Andrews, Rob |year=1994 |month=August |title=A Step Beyond Layne's World |publisher=''[[Hit Parader]]''}}</ref> "We never really planned on the music we made at that time to be released. But the record label heard it and they really liked it. For us, it was just the experience of four guys getting together in the studio and making some music."<ref name="Layne talks Jar of Flies"/> |
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While never originally intended for a public release, Columbia Records released Alice in Chains' second acoustic-based EP, ''[[Jar of Flies]]'', on January 25, 1994. Written and recorded in one week,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://aliceinchains.com/discography/JarOfFlies.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061208170925/http://aliceinchains.com/discography/JarOfFlies.aspx| archivedate=2006-12-08 |title=Jar of Flies – Discography |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> ''Jar of Flies'' debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, becoming the first ever EP—and first Alice in Chains release—to top the charts.<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History"/> Paul Evans of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the EP "darkly gorgeous",<ref name="Rolling Stone - Jar of Flies">{{cite web|author=Evans, Paul |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aliceinchains/albums/album/284284/review/6211567/jar_of_flies |title=Jar of Flies |publisher=''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |accessdate=2008-01-29}}</ref> and Steve Huey stated "''Jar of Flies'' is a low-key stunner, achingly gorgeous and harrowingly sorrowful all at once".<ref name="AMG Jar of Flies">{{cite web|author=Huey, Steve |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:djfoxqlgldke |title=Jar of Flies |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=2008-01-01}}</ref> ''Jar of Flies'' features Alice in Chains' first number-one single on the [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock charts]], "[[No Excuses]]". The second single, "[[I Stay Away]]", reached number ten on the Mainstream rock charts, while the final single "[[Don't Follow]]", reached number 25.<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History"/> After the release of ''Jar of Flies'', Layne Staley entered [[drug rehabilitation|rehab]] for [[heroin]] addiction.<ref name="To Hell and Back">{{cite web|author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=1996-02-08 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aliceinchains/articles/story/5934699/to_hell_and_back |title=To Hell and Back |publisher=''Rolling Stone'' |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> The band was scheduled to tour during the summer of 1994 with [[Metallica]] and [[Suicidal Tendencies]], but while in rehearsal for the tour, Staley began using heroin again.<ref name="To Hell and Back">{{cite web|author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=1996-02-08 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aliceinchains/articles/story/5934699/to_hell_and_back |title=Layne Staley Found Dead |publisher=''Rolling Stone'' |accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> Staley's condition prompted the other band members to cancel all scheduled dates one day before the start of the tour, putting the band on hiatus.<ref name="Rolling Stones on Stayley's death">{{cite web| author=Rothman, Robin |date=2002-04-22 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aliceinchains/articles/story/5934348/layne_staley_found_dead |title=Layne Staley Found Dead |publisher=''Rolling Stone'' |accessdate=2007-11-24}}</ref> |
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===''Alice in Chains'' (1995–96)=== |
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While Alice in Chains was inactive during 1995, Staley joined the "grunge [[Supergroup (bands)|supergroup]]" [[Mad Season]], which also featured Pearl Jam guitarist [[Mike McCready]], [[John Baker Saunders]] from [[The Walkabouts]] and [[Screaming Trees]] drummer [[Barrett Martin]]. Mad Season released one album, ''[[Above (Mad Season album)|Above]]'', for which Staley provided lead vocals and the album artwork. The album spawned a number-two single, "[[River of Deceit]]", as well as a [[home video]] release of ''[[Live at the Moore]]''.<ref name="Remembering Layne Staley"/> In April 1995, Alice in Chains entered [[Bad Animals Studio]] in Seattle with producer [[Toby Wright]], who had previously worked with [[Corrosion of Conformity]] and [[Slayer]].<ref name="Toby Wright">{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51361 |title=Meldrum Working With Producer Toby Wright |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2006-04-26 |accessdate=2007-12-20}}</ref> While in the studio, an inferior version of the song "Grind" was leaked to radio, and received major airplay.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.legacyrecordings.com/alice-in-chains.aspx |title=Alice in Chains timeline |publisher=Sonymusic.com |accessdate=2008-02-01}}</ref> On October 6, 1995, the band released the studio version of the song to radio via satellite uplink. |
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[[Image:Laynemtv.JPG|thumb|175px|left|Alice in Chains' 1996 MTV ''[[MTV Unplugged|Unplugged]]'' concert was one of the band's last performances with Layne Staley (pictured).]] |
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On November 7, 1995, Columbia Records released the eponymous ''[[Alice in Chains (album)|Alice in Chains]]'',<ref name="Toby Wright"/> which debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, and has since been certified double platinum.<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History"/> Of the album's four singles, "[[Grind (song)|Grind]]", "[[Again (Alice in Chains song)|Again]]", "[[Over Now]]", and "[[Heaven Beside You]]", three feature Cantrell on lead vocals. Jon Wiederhorn of ''Rolling Stone'' called the album "liberating and enlightening, the songs achieve a startling, staggering and palpable impact."<ref>{{cite web |author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=1995-11-30 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/179804/review/5943047/aliceinchains |title=Alice in Chains: Alice in Chains review |publisher=''Rolling Stone'' |accessdate=2008-01-01}}</ref> The song "[[Got Me Wrong]]" unexpectedly charted three years after its release on the ''Sap'' EP. The song was re-released as a single on the soundtrack for the [[independent film]] ''[[Clerks]]'' in 1995, reaching number seven on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_clerks.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061116034920/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_clerks.aspx| archivedate=2006-11-16 |title=Clerks – Soundtracks and movie scores |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> The band opted not to tour in support of ''Alice in Chains'', adding to the rumors of drug abuse.<ref name="Layne Staley Found Dead">{{cite web| url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aliceinchains/articles/story/5934348/layne_staley_found_dead |title=Layne Staley Found Dead |publisher=''Rolling Stone'' |author=Rothman, Robin A |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref><ref name="Malice in Chains">{{cite web| url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aliceinchains/articles/story/5925470/malice_in_chains |title=Malice in Chains |publisher=''Rolling Stone'' |author=Fischer, Blair R |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> |
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Alice in Chains resurfaced on April 10, 1996, to perform their first concert in three years for ''[[MTV Unplugged]]'', a program featuring all-acoustic set lists.<ref name="Unplugged show">{{cite video | people=Perota, Joe (Director) | date=1996-04-15 | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070217083456/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/unplugged.aspx | title=Unplugged – Alice in Chains | medium=Television production |
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| location=New York City | publisher=MTV}}</ref><ref name="Alice In Chains Concert Chronology">{{cite web| url=http://www.bacus.net/alice/aicshows/960410.htm |title=Alice in Chains Concert Chronology: MTV Unplugged Session |publisher=John Bacus |accessdate=2007-12-12}}</ref> The performance featured some of the band's highest charting singles, including "[[Down in a Hole]]", "[[Heaven Beside You]]", and "[[Would?]]", and introduced a new song, "The Killer Is Me".<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History Singles"/> The show marked Alice in Chains' only appearance as a five-piece band, adding second guitarist [[Scott Olson]].<ref name="Unplugged show"/> A [[Unplugged (Alice in Chains album)|live album]] of the performance was released in July 1996, which debuted at number three on the ''Billboard'' 200, and was accompanied by a home video release, both of which received platinum certification by the RIAA.<ref name="Alice in Chains - Artist chart History"/> Alice in Chains performed four shows following the 1996 ''Lollapalooza'' tour supporting the reunited original [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]-lineup, with the final live appearance of Layne Staley on July 3, 1996, in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], Missouri.<ref name="Casino Ballroom">{{cite web| url=http://www.casinoballroom.com/event-detail.php?event=94 |title=Alice in Chains – Sold Out |publisher=[[Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom]] |accessdate=2007-11-25}}</ref> |
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===Hiatus and the death of Layne Staley (1996–2002)=== |
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Although Alice in Chains never officially disbanded, Staley became a recluse, rarely leaving his Seattle condominium following the death of his ex-fiancée Demri Parrott in 1996, due to bacterial [[endocarditis]].<ref name="Remembering Layne Staley"/> "Drugs worked for me for years", Staley told ''Rolling Stone'' in 1996, "and now they're turning against me, now I'm walking through hell".<ref name="Malice in Chains"/> Unable to continue with new Alice in Chains material, Cantrell released his first solo album in 1998, entitled ''[[Boggy Depot]]'', which also featured Sean Kinney and Mike Inez.<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web| url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3ifwxqw5ldae~T1 |title=Alice in Chains Biography |publisher=Allmusic |author=Erlewine, Thomas; Prato, Greg |accessdate=2007-11-28}}</ref> In 1998, Staley reunited with Alice in Chains to record two new songs, "[[Get Born Again]]" and "[[Died (Alice in Chains song)|Died]]". Originally written for Cantrell's solo album, the songs were released in the fall of 1999 on the [[box set]], ''[[Music Bank]]''. The set contains 48 songs, including rarities, demos, and previous album tracks.<ref name="Music Bank"/> The band also released a 15-track compilation titled ''[[Nothing Safe: Best of the Box]]'', serving as a sampler for ''Music Bank'', as well as the band's first [[greatest hits]] compilation. The band's last official releases include a [[live album]], simply titled ''[[Live (Alice in Chains album)|Live]]'', released on December 5, 2000, and a second greatest hits compilation, titled ''[[Greatest Hits (Alice in Chains album)|Greatest Hits]]'' in 2001.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/music.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060628204951/http://www.aliceinchains.com/music.aspx| archivedate=2006-06-28 |title=Alice in Chains.com – Discography |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> |
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By 2002, Cantrell had finished work on his second solo album, ''[[Degradation Trip]]''. Written in 1998, the album's lyrical content focused heavily on what Cantrell regarded as the demise of Alice in Chains which still remained evident as the album approached its June 2002 release. However, in March that year, Cantrell commented, "We're all still around, so it's possible [Alice in Chains] could all do something someday, and I fully hope someday we will."<ref>Wiederhorn, Jon [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452982/20020319/cantrell_jerry.jhtml Jerry Cantrell Conjures Ghost Of Alice In Chains On New LP] [[MTV|MTV.com]] (March 20, 2002). Retrieved on 6–20–09.</ref> |
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After a decade of battling drug addiction, Layne Staley was found dead in his condominium on April 20, 2002.<ref name="Cross">{{cite news | first = Charles R | last = Cross | title = The last days of Layne Staley; Alice in Chains singer dies at thirty-four after long battle with heroin. | date = June 6, 2002 | work = ROLLING STONE no. 897 | accessdate = 2010-05-18}}</ref> His mother and stepfather became alarmed when accountants noticed that money was no longer being withdrawn from his accounts. With assistance from the police, they broke into his condo and made the discovery. An autopsy revealed Staley had died from a mixture of [[heroin]] and [[cocaine]]. His friends speculate that in addition to drugs, he may have contracted an illness that his body could not fight off, due to a compromised immune system. His body was discovered two weeks after his death.<ref name="Cross"/> In his last interview, which was given months before his death, Staley admitted, "I know I'm near death, I did crack and heroin for years. I never wanted to end my life this way."<ref name="Staley's last interview">{{cite web| author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=2003-02-25 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1470138/20030225/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=Late Alice In Chains Singer Layne Staley's Last Interview Revealed In New Book |publisher=MTV |accessdate=2007-12-22}}</ref> Cantrell dedicated his 2002 solo album, released two months after Staley's death, to his memory.<ref name="Roadrunner Cantrell">{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artists/JerryCantrell/| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080119070122/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artists/JerryCantrell/| archivedate=2008-01-19 |title=Well Worth The Trip |date=2002-12-24 |publisher=Roadrunner Records UK |accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> |
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===Reunion (2005–08)=== |
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[[Image:Sean Kinney 2006an.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Sean Kinney]] in 2006. Kinney has been Alice in Chains' drummer since its inception.]] |
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[[Image:MikeInez(by Scott Dudelson).jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Mike Inez]] in 2009]] |
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In 2005, Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, and Sean Kinney reunited to perform a benefit concert in Seattle for victims of the [[tsunami disaster]] that struck South Asia.<ref name="Benefit concert">{{cite web| author=Hay, Travis |date=2005-02-21 |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/212872_alice21q.html |title=Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami-relief show full of surprises |publisher=Seattlepi.nwsource.com|accessdate=2007-11-25}}</ref> The band featured [[Damageplan]] vocalist [[Pat Lachman]], with other special guests including [[Maynard James Keenan]] of [[Tool (band)|Tool]], and [[Ann Wilson]] of [[Heart (band)|Heart]].<ref name="Benefit concert"/><ref name="AIC guests">{{cite web| url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10518215/latest_news_jayz_the_strokes_r_kelly_and_more |title=Metallica man joins Alice in Chains |publisher=''Rolling Stone'' |date=2006-06-09 |accessdate=2007-11-25}}</ref> On March 10, 2006, the surviving members performed at [[VH1]]'s [[Decades Rock Live]] concert, honoring fellow Seattle musicians Ann and [[Nancy Wilson (rock musician)|Nancy Wilson]] of Heart. They played "[[Would?]]" with vocalist [[Phil Anselmo]] of [[Pantera]] and [[Down (band)|Down]], and [[Duff McKagan]] of [[Guns N' Roses]] and [[Velvet Revolver]], then they played "[[Rooster (song)|Rooster]]" with [[Comes with the Fall]] vocalist [[William DuVall]] and Ann Wilson.<ref name="AIC guests"/> The band followed the concert with a short United States club tour, several festival dates in Europe, and a brief tour in Japan. To coincide with the band's reunion, [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony Music]] released the long-delayed third Alice in Chains compilation, ''[[The Essential Alice in Chains]]'', a [[double album]] that includes 28 songs.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/essentials.aspx| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071011024536/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/essentials.aspx| archivedate=2007-10-11 |title=The Essential Alice in Chains |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> |
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DuVall joined Alice in Chains as lead singer during the band's reunion concerts. Velvet Revolver and ex-Guns N' Roses bassist [[Duff McKagan]] also joined the band for the reunion tour, playing rhythm guitar on selected songs.<ref name="AIC guests"/> Before the tour, Kinney mentioned in an interview that he would be interested in writing new material, but not as Alice in Chains.<ref name="MTV reunion article">{{cite web| url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1524813/02232006/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=Remaining Alice In Chains Members Reuniting For Summer Gigs |publisher=[[MTV|MTV.com]] |author=Harris, Chris |date=2006-02-23 |accessdate=2007-11-24}}</ref> However, AliceinChains.com reported that the band had begun writing new material, with DuVall on lead vocals. |
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===''Black Gives Way to Blue'' (2008–present)=== |
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[[Blabbermouth.net]] reported in September 2008 that Alice in Chains would enter the studio that October to begin recording a new album for a summer 2009 release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104110 |title=Alice in Chains To Enter Studio In October|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2008-09-05 |accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> |
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In October 2008, Alice in Chains began recording its fourth studio album at the [[Foo Fighters]]' Studio 606 in Los Angeles with producer [[Nick Raskulinecz]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107501 |title=Alice in Chains Working With Rush/Foo Fighters Producer|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2008-10-23 |accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> At the Revolver Golden God Awards, Jerry Cantrell said that the group had finished recording in March 2009, and were mixing it for a September release.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/video_news/alice_in_chains_set_to_release_first_album_in_14_years.html |title=Alice In Chains Set To Release First Album In 14 Years|publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com |date=2009-04-09 |accessdate=2009-04-09}}</ref> In April 2009, it was reported that the new Alice in Chains album would be released by [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]/[[EMI Records|EMI]],<ref name="newalbum">{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118840 |title=Alice In Chains Signs With Virgin/EMI |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2009-04-25 |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref> making it the band's first label change in its 20-plus year career. On June 11, 2009, Blabbermouth.net reported that the new album would be titled ''[[Black Gives Way to Blue]]'', and was officially set to be released on September 29, 2009.<ref name="newalbumtitle"/> On June 30, 2009, one of the album's songs, "[[A Looking in View]]", was released as the first single from the album. It was made available for a limited time as a free download through the official Alice in Chains website in early July. The music video for "A Looking in View" debuted via Alice in Chains' official website on July 7, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/92233/alice_in_chains|title=Alice In Chains: 'A Looking In View' video available|accessdate=2009-07-27|date=2009-07-08|publisher=[[idiomag]]}}</ref> The second single "[[Check My Brain]]" was released to radio stations on August 14, 2009, and was made available for purchase on August 17, 2009.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122629 |title=Alice In Chains: New Single, Video On The Way|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2009-06-26 |accessdate=2009-06-26}}</ref> In addition, it has been announced that [[Elton John]] appears on the album's title track.<ref>Moody, Nekesa Mumbi. [http://www.billboard.com/#/news/alice-in-chains-scores-elton-john-for-tribute-1004002061.story "Alice In Chains Scores Elton John for Tribute Track"]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. August 11, 2009.</ref> |
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In September 2008, it was announced that Alice in Chains would headline Australia's [[Soundwave Festival]] in 2009, alongside [[Nine Inch Nails]] and [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105404 |title=NIN, Alice in Chains, Scars on Broadway, Lamb of God Confirmed For Australia's Soundwave|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2008-09-23 |accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> In February 2009, it was also announced that Alice in Chains would play at the third annual [[Rock on the Range]] festival.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://aliceinchainsnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/rock-on-range.html |title=Rock on the Range |publisher=AliceInChains.com |date=2009-02-13 |accessdate= 2009-02-16}}</ref> On August 1, 2009, Alice in Chains, along with [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]], and [[Glyder (band)|Glyder]], performed at Marlay Park, Dublin as a direct support to Metallica. The band made an appearance on Later Live... With Jools Holland on 10 November 2009, performing 'Lesson Learned', 'Black Gives Way To Blue', and 'Check My Brain' as the final performance of the episode. |
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To coincide with the band's European tour, Alice in Chains released its next single, "[[Your Decision]]", on November 16 in the UK and was in the US on December 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=128577|title=Alice In Chains To Release 'Your Decision' Single|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=2009-10-12|accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref><ref>http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases</ref> The fourth single from the album is "Lesson Learned" and was released to rock radio in mid-June.<ref>http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16697</ref> On May 26, 2010, ''Black Gives Way to Blue'' was certified gold by the [[RIAA]] for shipments of over 500,000 copies. |
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Along with [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]] and [[Deftones]], Alice In Chains will tour the United States and Canada in late 2010 on the [[Blackdiamondskye]] tour, a ''portmanteau'' of the three bands' latest album titles (''Black Gives Way to Blue'', ''[[Diamond Eyes]]'', and ''[[Crack the Skye]]''). |
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====Possible future album==== |
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In April 2010, guitarist [[Jerry Cantrell]] revealed to [[MTV News]] that Alice in Chains is contemplating making a fifth studio album in the foreseeable future. He explained, "There are thoughts. We'll see how far we get. Staying in the moment is a good way to live and we certainly hope that it happens. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't [happen]."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=138381 |title=Alice in Chains Guitarist Says 'There Are Thoughts' Of A New Album |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2010-04-13 |accessdate=2010-04-13}}</ref> Frontman [[William DuVall]] also commented on the next album and Alice in Chains' future, "we've got a lot of water to sail before we do that. There's a lot of shows. But yeah, generally speaking, yeah, we're excited about the future. I don't anticipate some long layoff."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.theweekender.com/music/Alice_In_Chains_finds_its_voice_04-13-2010.html |title=Alice In Chains finds its voice|publisher=Theweekender.com |date=2010-04-13 |accessdate=2010-04-17}}</ref> |
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As of September 2010, according to DuVall, Alice in Chains has not begun writing their next album yet, but "there's plenty of riffs flying around." He added, "That was the case when we first started back up. We would just stockpile these fragments, and then some time later we would sift through the mountain of stuff, and that's what became ''Black Gives Way to Blue''. The same thing has been happening since we've been touring ''Black Gives Way to Blue'', so it would be only natural to at some point say, 'Hey, we've got a lot of stuff. Let's sift through and see what we've got this time.'" DuVall also mentioned that it is possible that the new album will feature songs that were written for ''Black Gives Way to Blue''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/news#/news/alice-in-chains-follow-up-album-likely-says-1004113177.story |title=Alice in Chains Follow-Up Album Likely, Says Frontman |publisher=[[Billboard.com]] |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2010-09-08}}</ref> |
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==Musical style== |
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{{listen|filename=Nutshell.ogg |
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|title="Nutshell" |
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|description=A sample of "Nutshell" from ''[[Unplugged (Alice in Chains album)|Unplugged]]''. This song originally appeared on ''[[Jar of Flies]]'' and represents the unique acoustic sound Alice in Chains has created. |
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|format=[[Ogg]]}} |
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Although Alice in Chains has been labeled [[grunge]], [[alternative rock]], and [[hard rock]], Jerry Cantrell identifies the band as primarily [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. He told ''[[Guitar World]]'' in 1996; "We're a lot of different things... I don't quite know what the mixture is, but there's definitely metal, [[blues]], [[rock and roll]], maybe a touch of [[punk rock|punk]]. The metal part will never leave, and I never want it to".<ref>Gilbert, Jeff (January 1996). "Go Ask Alice". ''Guitar World''.</ref> |
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Jerry Cantrell's guitar style combines what Stephen Erlewine of Allmusic called "pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures" to create "slow, brooding minor-key grinds".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/14253942 |title=Degradation Trip Review |publisher=Allmusic |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> While down-tuned distorted guitars mixed with Staley's distinctive "snarl-to-a-scream"<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World"/> vocals appealed to [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] fans, the band also had "a sense of melody that was undeniable," which introduced Alice in Chains to a much wider pop audience outside of the heavy metal underground.<ref name="AMG Facelift"/><ref name="Staley dead-VH1"/> |
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The band has been described by critics as "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".<ref name="Allmusic"/> Three of the band's releases feature all acoustic music, and while the band initially kept these releases separate, Alice in Chains' self-titled album combined the styles to form "a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers".<ref name="Allmusic"/> |
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Alice in Chains is also noted for the unique vocal harmonies of Staley and Cantrell, which included overlapping passages, and dual lead vocals.<ref name="Allmusic"/> Alyssa Burrows said the band's distinctive sound "came from Staley's vocal style and his lyrics dealing with personal struggles and addiction".<ref>{{cite web| author=Burrows, Alyssa |date=2002-05-17 |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=3778 |title=Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley dies on April 5, 2002. |publisher=Historylink.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> Staley's songs were often considered "dark",<ref name="Allmusic"/> with themes such as drug abuse, depression, and suicide,<ref name="Remembering Layne Staley"/> while Cantrell's lyrics dealt more with personal relationships. |
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==Legacy== |
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[[Image:William DuVall - Alice in Chains - Roskilde Festival 2010.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Alice in Chains' current vocalist, [[William DuVall]] performing with the band. DuVall replaced Layne Staley as the band's vocalist when Alice in Chains reformed after Staley's death.]] |
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Alice in Chains has sold more than 16 million albums in the United States, and 35 million worldwide, released two number-one albums and 21 top 40 singles, and has received seven [[Grammy]] nominations. The band was ranked number 34 on [[VH1]]'s ''100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock''.<ref>{{cite web| year=2000 |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/vh1hardrock.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2008-01-08}}</ref> Alice in Chains was named 15th greatest live band by ''[[Hit Parader]]'',<ref>"Hard Rock's All-Time Top 100 Live Bands". ''[[Hit Parader]]''. February 2008.</ref> with vocalist Layne Staley placing as 27th greatest vocalist of all time.<ref>"Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists". ''[[Hit Parader]]''. November 2006.</ref> The band's second album, ''Dirt'', was named 5th best album in the last two decades by ''Close-Up'' magazine.<ref>[http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/metallica_pantera_top_albums_of_last_17_years.html "Metallica, Pantera: Top Albums Of Last 17 Years"]. ultimate-guitar.com. April 30, 2008.</ref> In August 2009, Alice in Chains won the ''[[Kerrang!]]'' Icon Award.<ref>[http://blog.kerrangawards.com/2009/2009/08/the_2009_kerrang_awards_winner.shtml "News – The 2009 Kerrang! Awards winners"]. ''[[Kerrang!]]''. August 3, 2009.</ref> |
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Alice in Chains has had a large impact on many bands, such as [[Godsmack]], who, according to Jon Wiederhorn of [[MTV]], "have sonically followed Alice in Chains' lead while adding their own distinctive edge". Godsmack singer and founder [[Sully Erna]] has also cited Layne Staley as his primary influence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453568/20020423/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=MTV.com – "'He Got Me To Start Singing': Artists Remember Layne Staley" |accessdate=2007-11-08 |author=D'Angelo, Joe; Vineyard, Jennifer; Wiederhorn, Jon |date=2002-04-22 |publisher=[[MTV|MTV.com]] }}</ref> [[Staind]] has covered Alice in Chains' song "Nutshell" live, which appears on the compilation ''[[The Singles: 1996-2006]]'', and also wrote a song entitled "Layne", in Staley's dedication, on the album ''[[14 Shades of Grey]]''.<ref>{{cite web| author=Snierson, Dan |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,631523,00.html |title=Layne Staley gets ''Born Again'' |publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' |date=2004-05-07 |accessdate=2007-01-06}}</ref> [[Three Days Grace]] also performs a cover of "[[Rooster (song)|Rooster]]", which can be seen on the DVD ''[[Live at the Palace (DVD)|Live at the Palace]]''. Other bands that have been inspired by Alice in Chains include [[Creed (band)|Creed]],<ref name="billboard.com">http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/alice-in-chains/bio/3943</ref> [[Nickelback]],<ref name="billboard.com"/> [[Taproot (band)|Taproot]], [[Puddle of Mudd]],<ref name="billboard.com"/> [[Godsmack]],<ref name="billboard.com"/> [[Smile Empty Soul]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]],<ref>http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/avenged_sevenfold/related_artists.jhtml?influencedBy=true</ref> [[Cold (band)|Cold]], [[Days Of The New]]<ref name="billboard.com"/> and [[Tantric (band)|Tantric]].<ref name="Remembering Layne Staley"/> [[Metallica]] said they've always wanted to tour with the band, citing Alice in Chains as a major inspiration for their 2008 release, ''[[Death Magnetic]]''.<ref name="RS1-oct08">{{cite book |title = Metallica: Metal Machines (Louder Faster Stronger) |publisher = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |date = October 2008 |pages = 58–67}}</ref> Metallica also recorded "Shine" as a tribute to Layne Staley, but the song was left off ''Death Magnetic'' due to manufacturing restrictions. |
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==Band members== |
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* [[William DuVall]] – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar <small>(2006–present)</small> |
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* [[Jerry Cantrell]] – lead and backing vocals, lead guitar <small>(1987–2002, 2005–present)</small> |
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* [[Mike Inez]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(1993–2002, 2005–present)</small> |
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* [[Sean Kinney]] – drums, percussion <small>(1987–2002, 2005–present)</small> |
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===Former members=== |
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* [[Layne Staley]] – lead vocals, occasional rhythm guitar <small>(1987–2002)</small> |
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* [[Mike Starr (musician)|Mike Starr]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(1987–1993)</small> |
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;Touring musicians |
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* [[Scott Olson]] – acoustic guitar <small>(1996, ''[[Unplugged (Alice in Chains album)|Unplugged]]'' performance only)</small> |
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* [[Patrick Lachman]] – lead vocals <small>(2005–2006)</small> |
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* [[Duff McKagan]] – rhythm guitar <small>(2005–2006)</small> |
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===Timeline=== |
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<div align="center"> |
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<timeline> |
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ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:30 |
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PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:50 |
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Alignbars = justify |
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DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy |
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Period = from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/2010 |
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TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy |
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Colors = |
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id:Vocals value:orange legend:Vocals |
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id:Bass value:red legend:Bass |
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id:Guitars value:green legend:Guitars |
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id:Drums value:gray(0.45) legend:Drums |
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id:Lines value:black legend:Studio albums |
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Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom |
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ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1987 |
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ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1987 |
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LineData = |
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at:08/28/1990 color:black layer:back |
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at:09/29/1992 color:black layer:back |
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at:11/07/1995 color:black layer:back |
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at:09/29/2009 color:black layer:back |
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BarData = |
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bar:Staley text:"Layne Staley" |
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bar:DuVall text:"William DuVall" |
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bar:Cantrell text:"Jerry Cantrell" |
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bar:Starr text:"Mike Starr" |
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bar:Inez text:"Mike Inez" |
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bar:Kinney text:"Sean Kinney" |
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PlotData= |
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width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) |
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bar:Staley from:01/01/1987 till:04/19/2002 color:Vocals |
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bar:DuVall from:01/01/2006 till:end color:Vocals |
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bar:Cantrell from:01/01/1987 till:04/19/2002 color:Guitars |
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bar:Cantrell from:01/01/2005 till:end color:Guitars |
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bar:Starr from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/1993 color:Bass |
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bar:Inez from:01/01/1993 till:04/19/2002 color:Bass |
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bar:Inez from:01/01/2005 till:end color:Bass |
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bar:Kinney from:01/01/1987 till:04/19/2002 color:Drums |
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bar:Kinney from:01/01/2005 till:end color:Drums |
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</timeline> |
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</div> |
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* Note: Alice in Chains was inactive from 2002 until 2005. |
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==Discography== |
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{{Main|Alice in Chains discography}} |
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<!--Full discography can be found at its own article. Please do not add "Jar of Flies," "Sap," or any other release that is not a full-length studio album.--> |
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* ''[[Facelift (album)|Facelift]]'' (1990) |
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* ''[[Dirt (album)|Dirt]]'' (1992) |
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* ''[[Alice in Chains (album)|Alice in Chains]]'' (1995) |
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* ''[[Black Gives Way to Blue]]'' (2009) |
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==Awards and nominations== |
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{{Infobox Musician Awards |
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| name = Alice in Chains |
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| awards = 1 |
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| nominations = 10 |
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| award1 = [[American Music Award]]s |
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| award1W = 0 |
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| award1N = 1 |
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| award2 = [[Grammy Award]]s |
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| award2W = 0 |
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| award2N = 7 |
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| award3 = [[MTV Video Music Awards]] |
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| award3W = 1 |
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| award3N = 2 |
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}} |
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Alice in Chains has received seven [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] nominations. The band's first Grammy nomination occurred when "[[Man in the Box]]" was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance|Best Hard Rock Performance]] in 1992. Alice in Chains has also received Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance for the band's 1992 album, ''[[Dirt (album)|Dirt]]'', "[[I Stay Away]]" from 1994's ''[[Jar of Flies]]'', "[[Grind (song)|Grind]]" and "[[Again (Alice in Chains song)|Again]]" from the band's 1995 [[Alice in Chains (album)|self-titled album]], and the 1999 track "[[Get Born Again]]". The music video for the song "[[Would?]]", Alice in Chains' contribution to the 1992 film, ''[[Singles (1992 film)|Singles]]'', won the award for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film|Best Video from a Film]] at the [[1993 MTV Video Music Awards]]. |
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;American Music Awards |
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The [[American Music Award]]s is an annual awards ceremony created by [[Dick Clark]] in 1973.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1992/amas.htm |title=19th American Music Awards |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> |
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{{awards table}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| {{ama|1992}} || Alice in Chains || Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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{{end}} |
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;Grammy Awards |
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The [[Grammy Award]]s are awarded annually by the [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]].<ref name="First Grammy"/><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1993/grammys.htm |title=35th Grammy Awards – 1993 |
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|publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1995/grammys.htm |title=37th Grammy Awards – 1995 |
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|publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1996/grammys.htm |title=38th Grammy Awards – 1996 |
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|publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1997/grammys.htm |title=39th Grammy Awards – 1997 |
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|publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/grammys.htm |title=42nd Grammy Awards – 2000 |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> |
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{{awards table}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| [[Grammy Awards of 1992|1992]] || "[[Man in the Box]]" || [[Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance|Best Hard Rock Performance]] || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| [[Grammy Awards of 1993|1993]] || ''[[Dirt (album)|Dirt]]'' || Best Hard Rock Performance || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| [[Grammy Awards of 1995|1995]] || "[[I Stay Away]]" || Best Hard Rock Performance || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| [[Grammy Awards of 1996|1996]] || "[[Grind (song)|Grind]]" || Best Hard Rock Performance || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| [[Grammy Awards of 1997|1997]] || "[[Again (Alice in Chains song)|Again]]" || Best Hard Rock Performance || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| [[Grammy Awards of 2000|2000]] || "[[Get Born Again]]" || Best Hard Rock Performance || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| [[Grammy Awards of 2010|2010]] || "[[Check My Brain]]" || Best Hard Rock Performance || {{nom}} |
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{{end}} |
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;MTV Video Music Awards |
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The [[MTV Video Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony established in 1984 by [[MTV]].<ref name="MTV AWARD"/><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1991/mtvvmas.htm |title=1991 MTV Video Music awards |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1996/mtvvmas.htm |title=1996 MTV Video Music Awards |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> |
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{{awards table}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1991}} || "Man in the Box" || [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video|Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video]] || {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1993}} || "[[Would?]]" from ''[[Singles (1992 film)|Singles]]'' || [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film|Best Video from a Film]] || {{won}} |
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| align="center"| {{mtvvma|1996}} || "Again" || Best Hard Rock Video || {{nom}} |
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{{end}} |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} |
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==External links== |
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{{Wikipedia-Books}} |
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{{commonscat|Alice in Chains}} |
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{{wikiquote}} |
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* {{Official|http://www.aliceinchains.com}} |
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*[http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Reviews/alice-in-chains-your-decision-single-review-21112009-0023.aspx Review of 'Your Decision' on the Daily Music Guide] |
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* [http://www.velvethammer.net/band_list2.php?band_id=13 Alice in Chains on Velvet Hammer Site] |
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* [http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewVideo%253Fid%253D342176682%2526cc%253Dus Video for 'Your Decision'] |
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{{Alice in Chains}} |
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Revision as of 12:49, 3 October 2010
Alice in Chains |
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Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. Although widely associated with grunge music, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and acoustic elements. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released four studio albums, three EPs, two live albums, four compilations, and two DVDs. The band is known for its distinct vocal style which often included the harmonized vocals of Staley and Cantrell.
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, along with other Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. The band was one of the most successful music acts of the 1990s, selling over 20 million albums worldwide,[1] and over 12 million in the US alone.[2] The band achieved two number-one Billboard 200 albums (Jar of Flies and Alice in Chains), 14 top ten songs on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and seven Grammy Award nominations.
Although never officially disbanding, Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity due to substance abuse, culminating in the death of Layne Staley in 2002. Alice in Chains reunited in 2005 with new lead vocalist William DuVall and released Black Gives Way to Blue, their first studio album in 14 years, on September 29, 2009.[1]
History
Formation (1986–89)
Following the demise of his band Sleeze in 1986, vocalist Layne Staley formed Alice N' Chains, a band which he said "dressed in drag and played speed metal".[3] The new band, featuring guitarist Nick Pollock, bassist Johnny Bacolas, and drummer James Bergstrom, performed around the Seattle area playing Slayer and Armored Saint covers.[4] Staley met guitarist Jerry Cantrell while working at Music Bank rehearsal studios, where the two struggling musicians became roommates, and lived in a rehearsal space they shared. Alice N' Chains soon disbanded and Staley joined a funk band who at the time also required a guitarist. Staley asked Cantrell to join as a sideman. Cantrell agreed on condition that Staley join Cantrell's band Diamond Lie, which at the time included drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr. Eventually the funk project broke up and in 1987 Staley joined Cantrell on a full-time basis. Diamond Lie played in clubs around the Pacific Northwest, often stretching 15 minutes of material into a 45-minute set. The band eventually took the name of Alice in Chains.[3][5]
Local promoter Randy Hauser became aware of the band at a concert, and offered to pay for demo recordings. However, one day before the band was due to record at the Music Bank studio in Washington, police shut down the studio during the biggest cannabis raid in the history of the state.[3] The final demo was named The Treehouse Tapes, and found its way to the music managers Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver, who also managed the Seattle-based band Soundgarden. Curtis and Silver passed on the demo to Columbia Records' A&R representative Nick Terzo, who set up an appointment with label president Don Ienner. Based on The Treehouse Tapes (a 1988 demo tape sold by the band at shows), Ienner signed Alice in Chains to Columbia in 1989.[3] The band also recorded another untitled demo over a three-month period in 1989. This recording can be found on the bootleg release Sweet Alice.[6]
Facelift and Sap (1990–92)
Alice in Chains soon became a top priority of the label, who released the band's first official recording in July 1990, a promotional EP We Die Young. The EP's lead single, "We Die Young", became a hit on metal radio. After its success, the label rushed Alice in Chains' debut album into production with producer Dave Jerden.[7] Cantrell stated the album was intended to have a "moody aura" that was a "direct result of the brooding atmosphere and feel of Seattle".[8]
The resulting album, Facelift, was released on August 21, 1990, peaking at number 42 in the summer of 1991 on the Billboard 200 chart.[9] Facelift was not an instant success, selling under 40,000 copies in the first six months of rel
- ^ a b "ALICE IN CHAINS Interviewed By VOICE OF AMERICA". Blabbermouth.net. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
- ^ http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=3&table=tblTopArt&action=
- ^ a b c d Music Bank (Media notes). Columbia Records. 1996.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|bandname=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|publisherid=ignored (help) - ^ Lip Lock Rock: The Alice 'N Chainz Story
- ^ Kleidermacher, Mordechai (1990). "Link With Brutality". Circus magazine.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Sweet Alice
- ^ "Discography – Dirt". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on 2006-07-03. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ Moses, Michael (1991). "Alice in Chains: Who is Alice and Why is She in Chains?". Rockbeat magazine.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Alice in Chains – Artist chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-11-09.