ALICE IN CHAINS ARE ALIVE AND HAPPY TO BE HERE
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 1:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
I had kind of a stunning realization last night as I watched Alice in Chains blow the roof off Irving Plaza/The Fillmore/whatever the fuck it’s called now. It was during the second song of the band’s ninety minute set, “Again.” (The show opener was “Rain When I Die,” in case you’re curious.) New vocalist William DuVall (well at this point he’s not really new anymore, but I guess he’s new-ish) didn’t just sing the phrase “Again and again and again” – he belted it, jumping up onto the monitors to give himself just a little extra boost in the rockstar god department. Then, as it came time for him to grunt and signal the start of the “Doo-doo, doo-doo” sing-along section (and sing along the crowd did), DuVall lept off the monitor and started pumping his fist in the air, prompting the audience to do the same. As he finally turned to face drummer Sean Kinney, Kinney started grinning; and then the grin spread across the stage like an infectious disease, and by the end of the song, guitarist Jerry Cantrell and bassist Mike Inez were smiling, too.
And that’s when it hit me. It was kind of a morbid epiphany, especially for someone who held deceased vocalist Layne Staley in as high regard as I did, but it was an important epiphany for a fan who hopes to follow this band into their future. Here it is:
Layne Staley did not want to be with us here tonight.
Fucked up, but true. Ever read Staley’s final interview? He used phrases like “I know I’m dying” and “I don’t wanna see people anymore and it’s nobody’s business but mine” and said that his bandmates from AIC were “not my friends.” Whatever void dope filled for Staley was one that his friends couldn’t fill, his family couldn’t fill, his music couldn’t fill, and performing said music for thousands of fans who wanted nothing less than to shower him with accolades couldn’t fill. Even if he knew that getting hooked on heroin was a huge mistake, Staley obviously never had that infamous “rock bottom” moment when he realized that whatever it was in his life that made him feel passionate was going to go away if he didn’t kick the habit. He chose the drugs over the music and the band and everything else.
But the other members of Alice in Chains – including DuVall – do want to be here. They want to go out and kill it every night, and by all appearances, are incredibly excited about the impending release of their new album, Black Gives Way to Blue. Almost twenty years since they first arrived on the scene, Alice in Chains still seem to be – almost magically – at the top of their game. Staley was an irreplaceable voice, to be sure, but with four dudes this talented and this enthusiastic still plugging away, it feels as though his ghost is finally evaporating. Which, sad though it may seem, is as it should be.
The band played four new songs, including one that I didn’t catch the title of; in any case, “Check My Brain” and “A Looking In View” actually sound twice as heavy live as they do in their studio incarnations, and I am now even more convinced that Black is going to slay (And Vince says I’m right).
Mostly, though, they concentrated on the classics. The sound was crystal-clear, allowing those in attendance to concentrate on Cantrell’s warm, wah-heavy guitars, Inez’s thudding, groove-laden bass, or Kinney’s impeccable drumming as they saw fit. DuVall’s voice is in top shape – again, here’s a dude who has absolutely no need for auto-tune – and his harmonies with Cantrell are just as powerful as the ones Staley used to do.
All the songs that you’d imagine would get the audience to croon along at a volume outpacing even DuVall’s did just that – “Them Bones,” “Angry Chair,” “Man in the Box,” and the final encore of “Would?” But the group hasn’t lost their touch for quieter, more introspective moments, either: a stirring rendition of “Nutshell” was dedicated to Staley (natch), while “Down in a Hole” – which might be my personal favorite AIC song of all time – seemed likely to bring a tear to the eye of more than one macho man in the crowd. (Not me, though. Real men don’t cry. Honest.) Material from the band’s 1995 self-titled release was used only sparingly, although the aforementioned “Again” and an encore of “Sludge Factory” did seem to get everyone’s blood pumpin’.
Cantrell is, perhaps now more than ever, the star of the show. The most common chant of the night was for “JER-RY! JER-RY! JER-RY!” On “Brain,” the guitarist moved his mic front and center while DuVall shuffled to the side of the stage, thus cementing Cantrell’s position as the band’s actual front man. And he’s certainly earned that spot – his leads still smoke half the dudes out there.
Still, AIC is a band, and everyone is pulling their weight. After the gig was over, we stood outside with some friends doing the usual post-show “Wow! That was awesome!” discussion on the sidewalk, and I was a little mortified to realize how few people actually know what DuVall’s name is. Hopefully, that’s about to change. ‘Cause William DuVall deserves to be here – and unlike his predecessor, he wants to be here.
-AR
This.
SORRY…THIS IS NOT FOR YOU…I WAS JUST NEEDING TO TELL SOMETHING UP HERE…..
HEY…BLOGS´S GUY…..TAKE THAT FUCKIN PICTURE OUT OF THERE….JERRY AND DUVALL ARE SO UGLY THAT THEY ARE FREAKIN ME OUT…..
Awesome. Goddman, I can’t wait to see these guys. Too bad I was a total fucking idiot to not get tickets in time for this tour…
I think you’re 100% right about Layne. He’s happier wherever he is. And even if he isn’t, it’s over now. God I can’t WAIT to hear this new stuff. I love this band more/as much as any other, ever.
Thanks for the review!
AIC always kills live! Seen them a few times in Denver & Nashville and both performances were excellent (still hoping to catch the Seattle show). I think DuVall really compliments Cantrell’s vocals and I liken the change to what happened with AC/DC. Bon passed on but Brian Johnson stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam. This will happen for Alice and their star will shine brighter than before.
well said!
oh please…of corse that just an asshole can complete another asshole´s vocals…
duvall and jerry live just kill me in that point that they scar people to death
Wow! seems all of us knew it, but nobody wanted to say that… and finally is there outside…
I was a grunge fan when cobain was already dead and an AIC fan when Layne was already dead… this guys never gave up, so they deserve this second air in music business
can’t wait the new album
true heroes are dead heroes
dead duvall and dead jerry will be shit…it´s diferente
Amazing piece. Well-written and spot-on. I wish I could have been at the show.
you wouldnt be righting this now…
Allways a special place in my Zune for AIC
what’s your zune card/profile thing URL
good job Axl
They kicked massive ass at Sonisphere festival. They just sound HUGE live. Cantrell is a god. I’m sooo pleased that they’re back.
cantrell´s not a god…cantrell´s a dog….ugly and asshole
Layne Staley might have had a girls name but he definitely kicked more ass than anybody else. It wasnt the heroin that got him down it was just the fact of knowing that nothing around you is worthy and is all shit.
But that is heroin. Unfortunately dope makes everythng else seem like a futile endeavor. Nothing but the pursuit of fixing up.
no, i’m pretty sure it was the heroin…
very….very good…you´re fuckin right
It’s great to hear so many people echo these sentiments about Duvall. Instead of bashing him, people should be grateful for the opportunity to hear new AIC material. Fantastic write up.
we don´t need this material….normal people dont like traitors…..duvall has no artistical mind he´s a oportunist
This warmed my fucking heart. :)
It was exactly what I wanted to hear.
Great review, thanks for sharing. I really wish I could have been there.
I never really got into alice in chains at all, maybe i’m too young or something. BUT, the new tune thats on the radio is awesome. The riff at the beginning is suuper nasty. And honestly, maybe because I’m not a huge fan, I think the new guy is better than the old guy..
Maybe you should go back and listen to the “old guy” and get a clue of what the real Alice In chains is all about. As for being a new fan, welcome to one hell of a club!
i agree sugartaste…..duvall has not 1/8 of the layne´s voice…..layne had a real grunge king´s voice
Good article, but I wouldn’t say that he didn’t want to be here. In the depths of serious drug addiction I imagine he had much bigger demons to face than the idea of trying to get back on stage. I imagine that Layne even in 2002 would have preferred to be able to quit the smack live life/play music with AIC circa 2009 rather than O.D. alone in his condo….but at some point it seems he just lost hope and kicked the bucket.
Also, something noteworthy about Layne’s last interview:
“There are many people(A friend of Laynes for 13 years, someone who works with AIC posted on the official board stating this) think that that ‘final interview’ with Rubio is all fake. Layne would NEVER have quoted his lyrics in an interview and told a total stranger about his pain.”
I see people say stuff like this all over different websites with Layne Staley related topics. I’m in no position to claim that it’s true or false but it’s enough to make me question the legitimacy of the interview…especially considering that the POS self-centered douche-bag author of the “Angry Chair” book is the person who supposedly conducted the interview I guess.
Anywho…I’m seeing AIC in Indianapolis in three days! And this article only makes me more excited than I already was!!!
Nice write-up! Seems like I missed a great show. I’m definitely curious about the new record.
one of the best pieces I’ve read on this website (or any)… most excellent.
im stoaked for the new album
I have to disagree with what you said about Layne. I was actually shocked when I read what you wrote. That is awful presumptuous of you to say that he “did not want to be here with us tonight”. Drug addiction is extremely powerful, especially heroin addiction. It sounds campy but, you are a totally different person when you are addicted to heroin. It consumes your life and the lives of those that love you. I think that it is also unfair to determine exactly how Layne really felt giving his supposed last interview. If that was really his last interview, he was up to his shoulders in heroin. He wasn’t thinking straight, he was speaking through a mask of opiates. The drugs most likely had stopped working for him and, trust me, this is a completely awful feeling. You are devoid of any emotion whatsoever, the only thing you want to feel is how you felt when you started your binge however long before. It actually cuts kind of deep to hear you guys say that Layne couldn’t fill the voids in his life with family/friends/fans/bandmates. He had a true problem. Yes, maybe he should have sought treatment, but owning up to the fact that you have a drug problem is not an easy thing to do. Trust me, telling the people I loved that I needed treatment was one of the toughest acts I have ever performed. Could you imagine wearing your heart on your sleeve and telling your family and friends and loved ones that you have been spending the last few years jabbing needles into your arm? Not only that, but sitting there and seeing the looks on their faces and wonder if they are judging you, pitying you, or dismissing you? Nobody wants to be judged, pitied, or written off. Simply saying that Layne’s family and friends and bandmates could have picked him back up if he had just let them is being a little bit ignorant (and I don’t mean that in a rude way). He could have been dealing with issues that go far beyond arrogance and selfishness. Perhaps issues that the idolatry of millions of fans could not have solved. Please don’t make Layne’s death about rock and roll. His troubles could not be cured by fans and if you feel that they could have been then you come off as the arrogant ones. I urge you guys to learn a little more about heroin addiction before passing judgment on Layne or any one else you may know whose life has become embroiled in drug addiction.
Peace, Love, Forgiveness,
-Todd
P.S. I agree Axl, “Down In A Hole” is my favorite AIC song as well. The pain in that song cuts like a knife.
Well said Double D. It’s very easy to judge people, it’s in our nature I guess. It’s hard for some people to grasp true addiction, especially for some of the younger crowd that write articles on the internet.
Wow. uh…fucking well said man. You know, huh? Sounds like your life’s been touched in some way by heroin addiction. And not just spouting off some bullshit. Again very well put.
Very well said Todd. Thanks for enligthening others and for sticking up for Layne, in a sense. How I miss his talent. My heart breaks when I think about his struggles and how he lost himself due to them. No one can judge unless they’ve been there and even then it is different for everybody. l appreciate the article and am pumped as hell that AIC is back but I’d trade Willie for Layne in a heartbeat. He will always be the other half of Jerry to me and should be the one center stage. Unfortunately, that is not to be. God bless everyone who is struggling with the diesease of addiction. Excited for the new tunes but am touched by sadness still at the loss of one hell of a frontman. R.I.P. Layne. Good luck Chains.
yeh…very well said ….leave layne´s alone he died in pain…and now aic tell bad things about him….
aic over when layne died
Nice write-up!
Axl you’re a fuckin’ idiot to even think to type the words you wrote about Layne…I love Duvall vocals but come the fuck on listen to “A Looking In View” then go play anything that has Layne on it, and it obvious Layne was the man and can’t nobody touch him and all the rest of your pussies who are agreeing know it too! Taking is words outta context and manipulating the way you see fit, is wrong…completely wrong! I can’t wait to see these guys, hard core AIC fan since I came out the nutsack! you coulda totally did the review without saying shit about Layne…Am I right? of course I am..
Have to agree…I believe the last interview never happened. Just didn’t sound like Layne and I’ve watched, listened, and read every interview that Layne has done, both stoned and sober. Nobody knows the struggles Layne went through but to say he didn’t want to be here is whacked… Any Alice in Chains fan will appreciate the fact that they are back, but a real fan will still respect the talent of the original frontman of the band and will still feel his loss. Without acknowledging Layne you can’t be a true AIC fans, for he helped create the sound that they are carrying on today. Willie will never fill Layne’s shoes but I wish the entire band all the best. Welcome back boys…we missed ya!
duvall hates layne…that´s why i hat him…i would never hate someone that loves layne….
Great article Axl. Layne was no doubt a truely great artist. The newish guy is a great fit too. I don’t want to compare the two but rather appreciate their individual performances for what they are. So happy to have them back still.
So pissed I can’t see them in Toronto. Sold out in minutes apparently… maybe I can somehow astrally project the show to my living room? I’ll work on that.
I saw them in DC on Friday night and that show sold out in 5 minutes which was the word everywhere. I’m sure it was like that everywhere else too.
But yeah my point is I kinda agree with what Axl is sayin, William Duvall definitely had that energy and stage presence that the rest of the guys picked up on as well. It was definitely a excellent show that I really enjoyed. And I think there isn’t much of a dropoff when it comes to Duvall’s voice, sure he’s no Staley but he does a good job. I could tell from the first song (Rain When I Die) that it was going to be a great night just from the way they started out.
From what I understand Jerry and his other bandmates/friends repeatedly tried to help Layne but to no avail. Anybody know of a good website or book that has an honest portrayal of Layne and his descent?
I don’t think one exists. Layne’s mom has done a good job of keeping her son’s depressing last couple of years pretty under-wraps. There is a book on him called “Angry Chair” but it mostly is just some dumb bitch using Layne’s fame as a platform to boast about her own problems from what I understand. Layne’s mom denounces the book for the utter piece of crap that it is.
You have to dig through a lot of crap to get legit info on Layne’s last few years. His last interview (or at least the last one that anyone can prove is real) can be found on YouTube under “alice in chains-the class of 1999″. It’s some radio interview with Alice in Chains promoting their boxset that Layne surprised the rest of AIC (surprised because of his increasing drug use and subsequent hermit-ness) and phoned in to do the entire interview with the rest of the guys.
Find-a-death forums also has a decent Layne thread that actually has some worthwhile info if you can manage to shuffle through the tons of Layne fan-girls raving about how hot he was. That one has some dirt about the Mike Starr Rumor too. That being how allegedly Mike Starr has claimed to have been with Layne the night he died and left when Layne ODed because he was on probation and wasn’t supposed to be in Seattle (a.k.a. he supposedly sacrificed Layne in favor of not going to jail.) These rumors also state that Mike talked about the food he and Layne ate, which supposedly match up to the final contents of Layne’s stomach which were disclosed only Layne’s mom. He also allegedly said that it was “Layne’s time to pass away.” I don’t know how the hell anyone would prove these rumors true or false, but it exists nonetheless.
There’s the most widespread gossip on the late Layne Staley. You can probably find more on the same crap all over the internet, but there’s nothing too official on the man outside of a few sparse and vague comments made by bandmates and other famous people who knew him.
No, but I’d love to be the one to write it. He deserves to have his story told…the real story.
I would be smiling too if i was a complete zero that was plucked from obscurity and gifted the job of fronting one of the greatest rock bands of the 90s. Smile as you rape Layne’s corpse you imposter.
Had to chuckle at this one….
i agree with the article, but i have this crazy thought that if people really wanted layne to get better, they could’ve just cuffed him to his bed and let him stay there until he got better, slight psychological trauma notwithstanding.
then afterwards, if he still wanted to shoot up, that’s the time they all let him be and say “ok we’ll leave you to your fate of dying sometime during the late 90’s now”.
Thanks for the insight on the show for us that haven’t had the chance to see them yet. This makes me want to see them more badly now, without Layne. Can’t wait for this album, I really want to listen to it.
1993 – Milan Dragway – Lollapalooza. It’s hot as fuck all day. ’round about 7:00 pm a storm rolls through as Dinosaur Jr. is playing. They end their set early because the storm was too intense. It rains for about an hour or so. The sky starts to clear. 8:45 pm — Alice In Chains takes the stage as the sun begins to set. The band takes the stage minus Layne Staley. They start vamping on “Rain When I Die” for a little while. For reasons unknown, Layne Staley walks out wearing a full dress suit in the middle of summer. He proceeds to grip the mic and not move from the same sport nearly an hour and twenty minutes. However, that was probably the single most awesome performance I’ve ever seen a vocalist give in the many, many, years of concert going that I have done.
I dunno if this new dude could do that. Time has passed.
Alice in Chain were very much of that moment. Some things just happen when they happen. When they’re over. It’s done.
Thanks for that wonderful vision…. it made me smile and miss him still…
When you are that deep into an addiction you do want to die and do everything you can to try and meet that end.
I think that he did love those guys and that he loved them to the very end. The problem was that, like many of us addicts, he hated himself. That’s what you are doing after all: selfishly destroying yourself with some substance with zero regard for anyone else.
I’d see these guys if they weren’t playing with nothing but shitty bands (e.g. Hollywood Undead? Cage the elephant?) at the nearest venue.
I just wanted to add that while I disagreed with you about Layne, the part of your entry where you spoke of DuVall kicking ass on stage and starting a smiling session took me from waiting and seeing on this album to pre-ordering it.
So there you go Axl. You took a long time fan of this band and showed him that things were ok with the guys. In fact they seem to be going really well. You sold at least one copy of this album.
You’re right in that he didn’t want to be there but the man was dopesick. He wanted to die because drugs were making his life unbearable. He was uncureable. No rehab would have helped him.
ahaha very funny!!
YOU’RE AN IDIOT A DICK!!! DON’T YOU HAVE BRAIN? STOP SPEAKING ABOUT THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW A SHIT ABOUT AND GROWN UP
what a fuck was all of that about layne? what is the deal with his drug problems?? sop being an asshole and show some respect for him… you dont know a shit about the things he had to pass though about his problems… ad YES LAYNE IS RIGHT… if alice in chains gues really were his friends… layne would not had been left to die alone like a dog and they wouldnt do the shit they are doing now with the band!!! Layne chossen the music to tell everybody not to make the same mistakes he did with the drugs… just open your fucking ears and pay attention to his message… are you too def to ear?? to feel??
do what a fuck you want… aic without layne wouldnt be nothing more than a big lie!!! i would love to see where AIC would be without the hard work layne ahd with the band… he was aic’s sould and will always be… and aic now are nothing more than jerry’s faked solo career new project!!!
This is almost complete gibberish. Gibberish from an insane person.
yeah being sane now is insane….
dude check your brain
well…i have another strory´s version….layne staley made alice in chains band be born and he worked, he wrote his personal lyrics and sang with his powerfull voice in order to make alice in chains be one of the most fabulose grunge bands in the world….
but then, he got sick….he said he was dying and he really died……
LAYNE DIED BECAUSE HE WAS REALLY BAD…THAT WAS NOT MARKTING….WHY EVERYONE WANTS REVENGE…..he doesnt owe you anything…….
so mr cantrell used layne´s death as a marketing lance….he played and sang a lot of records solo but they werent sold…….
jerry was needing money so he called that duvall guy and they restarted aic…..and now they say horrible things about layne……
JERRY AND DUVALL ARE BLOODSUCKERS MAKING MONEY WITH A DEAD MANS´S WORK…….DUVALL DOESNT KNOW WHAT SING MEANS TO…..HE CAN´T BE COMPARED TO LAYNE…..DUVALL IS SHIT….JERRY IS A TRAITOR…..THOSE FUCKIN PSYCHOPATS…..I HATE THEM WITH ALL MY FORCES AND EVERY DAY I PRAY TO GOD TO GIVE ME MORE POWER TO HATE…..
AND YOU….YOU THAT WROTE THIS SHIT….DONT JUDGE LAYNE….YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOUR CHILDREN OR SOMEONE NEAR WONT DO THE SAME MISTAKE WITH THE DRUGS…..
LAYNE WAS THE TRUE ALICE IN CHAINS FRONTMAN….
now, aic dont exist anymore
“Years later, a doctor will tell me that I have an I.Q. of 48 and am what some people call mentally retarded.”
retarded or not, layne made his works in a honest way….
all of them are retarded….but all do things other people will never can do, do you? i dont think so…he was really inteligent….got it?
I wouldn’t go as far as saying he didnt want to be there, what people need to understand that Layne was a serious addict, like considering the severity of his addiction it was shocking that he lasted as long as he did. He eventually gave up on getting clean. For the person who says the other AIC guys where not his friends, they couldn’t do anything about it. It came to a point where they threw rocks at his door and he still wouldn’t open for them. You cant help someone unless they want help, and he’d already given up. I’d also like to add that the lady who interviewed him is full of BS, his family and the other AIC members both said they didn’t support the book she wrote on him. And in the book she talked about hereself more then him. So i wouldn’t be suprised if she twisted things up or took things out of context.
The remaining members of the band are doing great. Jerry rocks and they should keep making music.
i know….i dont guilt that guys for whatv happened with layne…..
but they do things….they do not respect him….they are bloodsuckers sucking money with layne´s work and death….
i think you would like if a big friend of yours had a band a then he died and the other guys took a new singer telling everyone he was improving your dead friend´s work…..
think about that….
it was what that duvall guy did….
and…another thing……if you were talking for me….. i was not talking about that lady´s book…i heard about but i never read it….
«when somebody starts asking me if i´m an addict or how messed up i am or just or some stupid dtuff like that, it´s like ´man do you have a brain at all?» asides from a brain, do you have any feelings at all? what if i started asking these questions ? this is a really personal stuff»-layne staley….
check my brain…..
“People have a right to ask questions and dig deep
when you’re hurting people and things around you,
but when I haven’t talked to anybody in years, and
every article I see is dope this, junkie that, whiskey
this -that ain’t my title….My bad habits aren’t my
title. My strengths and my talent are my title.”
Layne Staley words
during my yesterday depresion…. i saw a bit of a movie… i dont remember the name… the only thing i remember and i’m sure will have me traumatized for the rest of my blonde life is that… there was a school…. with a director… the director was a black man…. he used to be a general or something in the us army…. his name waws Mr. Duvall…. i just didnt kill myself because i was to despressed to do so…..
oh by the way… in the move…. MR.DUVALL SINGED A LOT BETTER THAN DUVALL HAAHAHAH