Alice in Chains
Overview
Alice in Chains is an American rock
band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell
and original lead vocalist Layne Staley
. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney
, and bassist Mike Starr
(who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez
). Cantrell, Kinney and Inez are still members of the band.
Although widely associated with grunge music
, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal
and acoustic
elements.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains' harmonizing...
and original lead vocalist Layne Staley
Layne Staley
Layne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-lyricist of the rock group Alice in Chains, which was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1987 by Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the...
. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney
Sean Kinney
Sean Howard Kinney is an American musician best known for being the drummer of the influential grunge band Alice in Chains....
, and bassist Mike Starr
Mike Starr (musician)
Michael Christopher "Mike" Starr was an American musician, best known as the original bassist in Alice in Chains, with whom he played from the band's formation in 1987 until 1993.- Career :...
(who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez
Mike Inez
Mike Inez is a rock musician best known for his role as the bassist of Alice in Chains. Inez has also worked with other popular musical acts such as Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, and Heart. Inez is of Filipino ancestry.-Career:...
). Cantrell, Kinney and Inez are still members of the band.
Although widely associated with grunge music
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
elements.
Quotations
"Friends don't let friends get 'Friends' hair cuts."
Written on Mike Inez's bass guitar during Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged performance in 1996, in reference to the popular hairstyle of actress Jennifer Aniston of the then new sitcom Friends (TV series)|Friends, directed to members of metal band Metallica, who were in the audience (after the release of Load, when Metallica was accused of "selling out" because of their new, short haircuts).
Down in a hole and I dont know if I can be saved
See my heart I decorate it like a grave
You dont understand who they
Thought I was supposed to be
Look at me now a man
Who wont let himself be
"Down in a Hole"
Category:Bands