Alice In Chains!!!!

[speakerman39]

Folks, lately I have become mesmerized by this group. Their music just has a certain quality to it that touches me. I read that the lead singer has passed on-is that true? If so, I sure did not know that. What happened to him?

I have noticed that most of their music has a dark feel to it. Strangely, I really like it. The lead singer voice can really belt out the vocals. The bass playing is just spot on and the drummer is awesome. However, the guitar soloing is what impresses me the most. Here are a few videos for those not as familiar with them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3FnQMSD4Zg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFWkPVHKwCY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL0cK4gaEuM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpH5i3xD7tA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz8ctHV3nwA

If you know anything about this group, then please share with me. I am aware that Jamie knows a lot of folks in the business. Perhaps, he knows something about them? I would have given anything to see them live in concert as they are quickly becoming my favorite. In closing, if you like them why not post and let me know what it is you like about their music. Conversely, if you don't care for them, why not post why you feel that way. Their musicianship is superb in every respect. Kudos to them for sharing their unique music with all of us!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Staley died of an overdose. He had a long history of drug abuse, AFAIK. Easily one of my favorite bands and I was deeply saddened when he passed. It is that gritty angst that always drew me to them and the harmonies are very good also. I prefer the early stuff that is harder, but I think some of their best releases were Jar of Flies and SAP. MUST HAVES!! Almost all of the songs you linked are from Dirt, which is my favorite album from them. The last one is from Jar of Flies.

Check out Mad Season also, a side project of Wayne's that is also quite good.

I bought the SACD of their greatest hits and was fairly disappointed - the multichannel mixes mostly suck. The 2ch tracks are good though.

This is one band that I really regret never seeing live. Staley did an unplugged solo show here in San Jose shortly before he died and I had REALLY wanted to go see that show.

I saw Staind a few years back and Aaron, the lead singer has a song about his passing because he was influenced by Layne. He wrote this song:

i heard today that you were gone
i had to stop and sing along
the song they played to say goodbye
a song they gave, give me back life [chorus]

you'll never fade
the words you gave
my life you saved
your name was layne
and on that day a child was born
to someone who you helped along
and helped see through his darkest times
because of you, this child she is mine

[chorus]

[bridge]

the words you said, you made me feel like they were all for me
the words you said, they will always be a part of me
the words you said, you made me feel like i was not alone
the words you said, you gave me all the strength to carry on

[chorus (altered)]

so to me you'll never fade
your life you gave
my life you saved
your name was layne

 

[speakerman39]

Staley died of an overdose. He had a long history of drug abuse, AFAIK. Easily one of my favorite bands and I was deeply saddened when he passed. It is that gritty angst that always drew me to them and the harmonies are very good also. I prefer the early stuff that is harder, but I think some of their best releases were Jar of Flies and SAP. MUST HAVES!! Almost all of the songs you linked are from Dirt, which is my favorite album from them. The last one is from Jar of Flies.

Check out Mad Season also, a side project of Wayne's that is also quite good.

Oh man, that is sad. He was awesome!!!! I would have to put him up there with the best of them. That is, the way he belts out the vocals is very impressive. Thus, he does so effortlessly too. Damn, he will be greatly missed. I will check them all out John. Thanks for the info my friend. I will also look into Mad Season too. BTW, did you ever get to see them in concert? Bet, they put on one heck of a show.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Rickster71]

Hey Phil,
They did an MTV Unplugged a while back that I like. It's in DVD and CD.
Give that a listen; it's not the best, (Staley messes up the lyrics in one song, and one song has a little feed back or something) other than that it's good. It's really is worth finding the DVD, even used.

 

[Nomo]

I grew to appreciate them just recently.
I had heard rumors that they were re-uniting with a new singer but haven't heard anything in the past year.
While Staley had a great voice; the harmonies, as John mentioned, can be attributed to the voice of Jerry Cantrell the guitarist. You'd be surprised how much singing he did on their music. I had the pleasure of seeing him solo a few years back.
He is an amazing talent.

 

[j_garcia]

There was a tribute page that someone had done for Layne, set to Wail & Wasp, one of my favorite songs from them (Cantrell). It appears to be gone, but it was extremely well done. There were pics of him as a kid and from shows, with friends, etc... It very nearly moved me to tears. A buddy of mine is from Seattle and actually met him once in a thrift store. He said he was a very "normal" kind of guy.

Cantrell is a key part of their music as well. His subsequent band, Damage Plan, suffered another horrible loss. They were a LOT heavier, even heavier than early AIC, but with that same characteristic guitar of Cantrell.

 

[speakerman39]

Hey Phil,
They did an MTV Unplugged a while back that I like. It's in DVD and CD.
Give that a listen; it's not the best, (Staley messes up the lyrics in one song, and one song has a little feed back or something) other than that it's good. It's really is worth finding the DVD, even used.

Thanks Rick for the info. I have seen excerpts from that show. He really looked to be a bit drugged out. However, I liked what I heard for the most part. The bass player is spot on with his rhythms. Staley will be remembered as one of the best vocalists imho. What a big loss as it really saddens me to no end. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

I grew to appreciate them just recently.
I had heard rumors that they were re-uniting with a new singer but haven't heard anything in the past year.
While Staley had a great voice; the harmonies, as John mentioned, can be attributed to the voice of Jerry Cantrell the guitarist. You'd be surprised how much singing he did on their music. I had the pleasure of seeing him solo a few years back.
He is an amazing talent.

I agree the harmonies are amazing too. Like you, I am appreciating them more and more. Thus, I have always liked them, but for some reason they just sound better and better. Is Jerry the guitarist that does most of the soloing? Whoever it is, all I can say is it is AWESOME musicianship. In fact, they all are superb musicians imho. Thanks for the info my friend. It is most appreciated.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Rickster71]

Phil, some more info FWIW:
On April 10, 1996, Alice in Chains would give their first performance in three years and one of their last concerts as a group for 9 years. Lead singer Layne Staley was in visibly poor health from the heroin addiction that would eventually claim his life six years later. On July 30 of the same year, Alice in Chains released an Unplugged album from the performance.

Rick

Thanks Rick for the info. I have seen excerpts from that show. He really looked to be a bit drugged out. However, I liked what I heard for the most part. The bass player is spot on with his rhythms. Staley will be remembered as one of the best vocalists imho. What a bug loss as it really saddens me to no end. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, Jerry is the guitarist.

 

[speakerman39]

There was a tribute page that someone had done for Layne, set to Wail & Wasp, one of my favorite songs from them (Cantrell). It appears to be gone, but it was extremely well done. There were pics of him as a kid and from shows, with friends, etc... It very nearly moved me to tears. A buddy of mine is from Seattle and actually met him once in a thrift store. He said he was a very "normal" kind of guy.

Cantrell is a key part of their music as well. His subsequent band, Damage Plan, suffered another horrible loss. They were a LOT heavier, even heavier than early AIC, but with that same characteristic guitar of Cantrell.

Interesting John. So, is Cantrell the one doing the soloing? If so, what an amazing talent! As you and Nomo already mentioned, the harmonies are very well done. Gosh, I would had loved to see them live. Oh well, at least I can still hear their music and learn more about them. Thanks once again.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Rickster71]

That's what I like about getting concert DVD's.
You get the chance to see shows / acts that are otherwise gone.

Gosh, I would had loved to see them live. Oh well, at least I can still hear their music and learn more about them. Thanks once again.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jinjuku]

Staley died of an overdose. He had a long history of drug abuse, AFAIK.

Actually... You'll cringe when you hear this: He died of botulism (wound botulism) from a tainted needle.

Not the way would want to go

 

[jinjuku]

Check out Mad Season also, a side project of Wayne's that is also quite good.

River of Deceit is one of those songs that the first time heard it picked up the guitar and had it worked out in about an hour or so.

 

[speakerman39]

Phil, some more info FWIW:
On April 10, 1996, Alice in Chains would give their first performance in three years and one of their last concerts as a group for 9 years. Lead singer Layne Staley was in visibly poor health from the heroin addiction that would eventually claim his life six years later. On July 30 of the same year, Alice in Chains released an Unplugged album from the performance.

Rick

Thanks Rick for the info. It kind of puts thing into perspective. I guess the drugs were just too tempting. Staley looked bad during the Unplugged performance. Just wished he could have come to terms with his addiction and enter rehab.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Actually... You'll cringe when you hear this: He died of botulism (wound botulism) from a tainted needle.

Not the way would want to go

Ewwwww how sad. Thanks for the info. What a way to die. Just wished he could have been saved. What a talented voice. Such a waste.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jinjuku]

While Dirt is a great album, I think Facelift gets way too overshadowed. That entire album was the most raw, energetic work they ever did.

Dirt was a much more polished version.

Jar of Flies: Tune your guitar up half a step and you could play almost nothing but lullabies to your child.

SAP was simply and EP with some interesting cuts on it.

Bogey Depot, eh, you could tell the band chemistry was changing do to the 'other' chemistry.

If you liked Dirt then you should be picking up stuff by the band Godsmack (which is a cut on the Dirt album)

Another band to check out then is Brother Cain. If you get only one album get 'Seed'. Even though an original album in many ways, you can still hear some AIC influence in there.

 

[speakerman39]

River of Deceit is one of those songs that the first time heard it picked up the guitar and had it worked out in about an hour or so.

So, you play guitar? I did not know that. Been known to do a little drumming here and there. I am no Lars or anything, but decent. Just curious is all.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

While Dirt is a great album, I think Facelift gets way too overshadowed. That entire album was the most raw, energetic work they ever did.

Dirt was a much more polished version.

Jar of Flies: Tune your guitar up half a step and you could play almost nothing but lullabies to your child.

SAP was simply and EP with some interesting cuts on it.

Bogey Depot, eh, you could tell the band chemistry was changing do to the 'other' chemistry.

If you liked Dirt then you should be picking up stuff by the band Godsmack (which is a cut on the Dirt album)

Another band to check out then is Brother Cain. If you get only one album get 'Seed'. Even though an original album in many ways, you can still hear some AIC influence in there.

Oh I love Godsmack and Staind. It sounds like I have much to learn. Once again, thanks for all of this info. Gives me something to do when I need something to do..........LOL!!!!!!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

You know, I was thinking that in some ways Alice In Chains reminds me a lot of STP. I can't really put my finger on it, but for some reason these two have similar styles. I think it is the way the Stayley belts out the vocals. Anyone else here agree that they are a lot alike? If so, why do you believe so?

Cheers,

Phil