The year is 2006 and Alice In Chains have begun their triumphant return. Getting out there and bringing the songs we all know and love back to life was one of those things that the universe got right. When this all started going again, you could tell that the fans were really glad to have Alice back. Granted the late Layne Staley was not a part of this but, William DuVall has truly shown he is up for the job and does a stellar job. During Alice In Chains summer festival run in Europe back in 2006, the band welcomed a very special guest to join them on stage for “Would?” That guest was the one and only James Hetfield of Metallica. This version of “Would?” is fantastic and will give you chills for sure. I still hope for the day we can get a Metallica and Alice In Chains tour! Can you imagine the how awesome that would be? I sure can! Enjoy this really memorable performance!!
I haven’t seen a lot of movies out in theaters these days. One I did venture out to see that I was really intrigued by was the new film, Sinners. From the previews and what I heard it seemed like a fun movie and oh boy was it. I haven’t had that much fun watching a new movie in quite some time. If you are looking for a really fun movie, I recommend Sinners. One of the things that I did notice while watching the film was a song that stood out quite interestingly well and it turns out it was Jerry Cantrell. The song he wrote for the film “In Moonlight” has this really awesome blues drawl to it mixed with Jerry’s signature sound. It was one of those songs that really struck the mood in the film! Also, Lars Ulrich played drums on it! So we are getting ever closer to that Metallica and Alice In Chains collab or tour. I can feel it coming in the next couple of years! I mean how awesome would it be to see Metallica tour with Alice In Chains?!?!?!?! Anyways, enjoy this song. I know I sure do!
Going solo is never an easy thing but, when you are such a prolific songwriter and player, sometimes you need to go at it on your own to explore ideas that might not have fallen into the realm of the main band. For Jerry Cantrell the transition between being in Alice In Chains and his solo work carries over in such a way that you can still get a bit of the Alice touch but, the work on his own delves a bit deeper into the inspirations that have guided Jerry. When you listen to his latest album, I Want Blood, you can definitely hear the way Jerry lets those inspirations guide where the songs go and it’s quite the album and listening pleasure. So when the time came for this tour, it was an absolute necessity to go.
As the time hit 9:15 and the lights went down, the energy inside the musty and sweaty Ventura Theater got really going as Jerry Cantrell hit the stage and started things off with “Psychotic Break” from his wonderful second solo album, Degredation Trip. Then just as things were getting going… BAM, we get hit with “Them Bones.” Talk about a 1, 2 punch! From that point the audience was in the palm of Jerry and his band’s hands. The songs from I Want Blood seem to have taken quite the sip of blood as each song played had a ferociousness that kept growing as each song was played. Songs like “Villified,” “Afterglow,” “Off The Rails” really hit hard and vent straight for the veins. The songs from Brighten even hit in a different way than I remember giving them a bit more of an edgy turn. Even the older solo material played from Boggy Depot and Degredation Trip sounded fresh and full of gusto. Then there’s the handful of Alice In Chains songs that were played that still give me chills no matter how many times I’ve heard those songs or seen them played live. Getting to hear “Hate To Feel” live was beyond a treat. I’ve personally been waiting years to hear that song live and wow, what a performance it was.
I really must say that the live band that is accompanying Jerry on this tour is beyond fantastic. On drums you have one of my all time favorite drummers in Roy Mayorga. The way Roy plays is amazing. He hits so hard that you feel each drum beat pulsating through your body. And his style mixed with Jerry is a real treat. On bass Eliot Lorango held that low end down with precision and you could tell this guy was truly having fun up there. On second guitar with Jerry is Zach Throne. Zach is one hell of a player too and the way he approached these songs and plays off of Jerry is quite fun to watch and hear. Then you have Greg Puciato on vocals and I could seriously write a whole article on Greg (and one day I probably will). The way Greg sings and takes these songs on is exceptional. Being a giant Layne fan and a William DuVall fan, Greg really knows how to inhabit these songs and bring his style to them. Not to mention the sheer emotion he pours into them. Jerry and Greg’s voices together is something quite special just like how Jerry and Layne were magical and same with William. The sum of all these pieces make for one hell of a performance and band. It’s not Alice and it’s not supposed to be. This is Jerry solo and it’s got it’s own special charm.
Also playing this evening was Filter. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen Filter live and they delivered a really solid opening set. Their most recent album, The Algorithim is quite a good record and the couple songs from it that were performed this evening sounded great. Now when they got to playing “Jurrasitol” that’s when I could see the crowd start to get into the show. That song is one hell of a track and I’m glad it’s been a Filter staple for a long time. Though their set was short it was a very fun set that definitely set up the tone for the rest of the night. One other song that Filter played that I’ve always loved is “Welcome To The Fold.” That song and the riff is so damn good. And of course no Filter show is ever complete without “Hey Man Nice Shot.” No matter how many times I hear that song, I still love it.
What a night for rock music and on a rainy Wednesday night, this showed that rock is for sure not dead. The place was packed and full of people having a great night. I couldn’t help myself from singing along through most of the night. As a die hard Alice In Chains fan, getting to see Jerry do his thing solo is an absolute treat. He’s a legend for a reason and there’s no shortage of great songs that he has. I look forward to more Jerry and more from Alice In Chains. This show was one of those that I will look back on quite fondly and it’s also one of those shows that has left me inspired. So I thank Jerry, Greg, Roy, Zach and Eliot for that along with Filter. Do yourself a favor and go listen to Jerry’s solo albums if you haven’t. and go listen to Filter too!
Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy
Jerry Cantrell Photos:
FILTER PICTURES:
JERRY CANTRELL SET LIST:
01) Psychotic Break 02) Them Bones 03) Vilified 04) Afterglow 05) Atone 06) Off The Rails 07) Held Your Tongue 08) Down In A Hole 09) Cut You In 10) My Song 11) I Want Blood 12) Man In The Box 13) Had To Know 14) Angel Eyes 15) Hate To Feel 16) Would
Encore 17) Let It Lie 18) Brighten 19) Rooster
FILTER SET LIST: 01) You Walk Away 02) The Drowning 03) For The Beaten 04) (Can’t You) Trip Like I Do 05) Jurrasitol 06) Take A Picture 07) Drug Boy 08) Welcome To The Fold 09) Hey Man Nice Shot
One of my all time favorite albums to put on to end a night or to fall asleep to is Alice In Chains, Jar Of Flies. It’s an absolutely astonishing album or EP. No matter how many times I put it on, I always get swept away by the first song, “Rotten Apple.” I love the way it starts the record and the way it just takes over is magical. This is a great example of how the first song on your album sets up the rest. This is a perfect song. Layne’s lyrics and vocals on this song are pure, raw and honest. Not to mention the harmonies with Jerry. Plus musically, this song is just so damn good. Just as the words and melody hit you, the music pushes and pulls you along the wave. Simply put, “Rotten Apple” is one of the best track one’s of all time.
Back in 2006, VH1 put together a program to honor the band Heart. The show also featured a short set from Heart’s long time friends, Alice In Chains. Joining Alice In Chains this evening with Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney and Mike Inez were Duff McKagan on guitar, Phil Anselmo on Vocals (singing “Would?”) and the one and only William DuVall (singing “Man In The Box” and “Rooster”). I’ve written about the Phil performance before which you can read and watch HERE. This night however would actually be a sort of reveal to showcase William as the new singer of Alice In Chains and it didn’t disappoint one bit (and still 17 years later, William is so damn good). Watching this performance and hearing William inhabit the songs and words, is astounding. Also, this was William’s first “real” performance with the band and what a way to introduce yourself. I’ve said it many times before, William was a great choice for Alice to carry on their legacy. He’s his own voice and person and the way he respects the songs and what the band did beyond thoughtful. This performance is one of those that should live on in TV history, it’s that good!
Alice In Chains w/ Heart- Rooster (Live On VH1 Decades Live- 2006):
Mad Season was an extraordinary group. On paper alone, having Layne Staley, Mike McCready and Barrett Martin in your band was substantial enough. Then when you put it all together, and the end result is the album, Above, you know it was all meant to be. This album is one of my all time favorites. “Wake Up” is one hell of a heart wrenching song. Lyrically it’s beyond dark and deep and the accompanying music really creates the right vibe. Then when Mike McCready’s guitar solo kicks in, it’s on a whole other level. Mad Season as much as it was a side project, really was able to showcase how truly underrated Mike is as a player but, more specifically as a writer. The music for “Wake Up” was actually written before Layne joined Mike, Barrett and the late John Baker Saunders. The solo though, is on a whole other level. And when you hear live versions of the song, it’s even more euphoric.
Today is April 5, 2021. 19 years ago today, Layne Staley died. Though, it wouldn’t be for another 2 weeks until his body was found in his home. It’s still a very sad thought in my mind. I even remember being a senior in high school when I heard about it, and I was devastated. Thankfully though, we still have all the great music Layne created and was a part of. In remembrance of what a talent Layne was, let’s celebrate him by doing something a tad bittersweet. What you have here is the very last concert (I’m not counting the unplugged show) Alice In Chains played with Layne in 1996. This show in particular was when Alice was asked to open up for KISS. Also, this is a fun note, the picture at the top is me in front of Layne’s house (his was the very top floor). Enjoy this show!!
Alice In Chains: Live at Kemper Arena, Kansas City July 3, 1996:
The first track on any album is so important as we all know. The list is endless of all the great ones but, instead of making a giant list, why not go one by one and really savor them. Because it’s the 30th anniversary of the release of Facelift by Alice In Chains, how about we start with “We Die Young.” What a song to start off a record with. The instant you drop the needle or press play (whatever you listen to music on or with), it’s just perfect! The instant crunch of Jerry Cantrell’s guitar, then comes the thunder of the drums of Sean Kinney, rumble of Michael Starr and finally, the killer voice of Layne Staley. Simply WOW!
This is one of those track ones that could easily be on many lists of the best ever. Plus when you think about it, if you’ve never listened to Alice In Chains and Facelift is what you start with, and “We Die Young” is pretty much your introduction to the band! That’s a pretty amazing start if you ask me.
Back in 2006 for a VH1 tribute to Heart, Ann and Nancy Wilson asked Alice In Chains to be a part of the celebration. This evening was also the debut of William DuVall on vocals with the band but, the biggest surprise more so was when Phil Anselmo of Pantera, Down, etc came out to join them for “Would.” It starts out sort of very iffy but, as the performance continues, Anselmo finds his footing and truly delivers. Duff McKagan also joined Alice this evening, playing guitar for them.
Alice In Chains w/Phil Anselmo & Duff McKagan- Would:
I love Alice In Chains. Anyone that knows me, knows that I can’t get enough of this band. If you are in my car with me and I have my iPod on random and an Alice song comes on, chances are, it’s going to get quite loud and I might start singing along. And also the chances of me having Alice on in general (or Nine Inch Nails) is quite high. That being said, I’ve been loving the fact that my (three year old) daughter seems to have taken quite a liking to Alice In Chains. I put music on for her when she’s in bed and going to sleep. The other night while laying with her, we were listening to some Alice and the song “Acid Bubble” from their album Black Gives Way To Blue came on and for some reason, I payed extra close attention to it that night and really found a new appreciation for that song. As a deep cut on the album, it’s quite exquisite. It’s very classic Alice sounding but, also modern enough to show the evolution of the band. In addition to that, it’s got some very classic harmonies and when William DuVall gets his moment to shine, oh does he. Anyways, dig into this gem of a track.
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![Alice In Chains-Woluld? feat Phil Anselmo [BETTER QUALITY] - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rmKZojNPSww/maxresdefault.jpg)
AUDIOECLECTICA 