Swing on This ~ Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1987 by guitarist Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Layne Staley.

In 1986, the band Sleeze disbanded and two of its members, vocalist Layne Staley and bassist Michael Starr met up with guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell at the Music Bank — a Seattle werehouse that was illegally being used as a flop house and practice studio for several bands that later became the major “grunge” bands of the late 1980s to mid-1990s.

Staley grew up in Kirkland Washington and had formed the original band Alice N’ Chainz while in high school, a band which he said “dressed in drag and played speed metal”. After meeting up with Jerry Cantrell, he revived the name with the variation to become Alice in Chains. They found a drummer, Sean Kinney, who was dating Cantrell’s sister at the time and together began writing original material and performing at various clubs in Seattle.

In 1990, they released their first album, Facelift which reached number 42 on Billboard and was probably one of the anchor albums that started the “grunge” scene. The single, “Man in the Box” reached number 18 and even got play on MTV. RIAA rated the album gold in 1990, and they went on the Clash of the Titans tour with Anthrax, Megadeath, and Slayer, closing the year with Van Halen.

Between 1990 and 1998, Alice in Chains release a whole slew of great songs. In 1992 Michael Starr left the band due to a serious heroin habit and an arrest at the Denver airport for shoplifting. He was replaced by former Ozzie Osbourne bassist Mike Inez.

There were several periods of hiatus — one being in 1995 when Staley hooked up with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready to tour in a band called Mad Season. In 1996 Alice in Chains got together to perform for MTV’s Unplugged. Their last concert with Layne Staley would be on July 3, 1996, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Staley’s health was an issue — he was getting deeper and deeper into heroin and cocaine. The death of his fiance in 1996 pushed Staley over the edge. He lost the will to live, and became a recluse. The last interview he gave he said, “I know I’m near death. I did crack and heroin for years. I never wanted to end my life this way.” He also said, “Don’t try to contact any Alice in Chains members. They are not my friends.” Layne was found dead in his University District condo, the cause of death being heroin and cocaine overdose.

The band officially disbanded after Layne’s death, but in 2005 Cantrell, Inez, and Kinney reunited for a benefit concert and in 2006 they officially got together and found a new lead singer, William DuVall formerly of Comes With Fall.

They tour with Velvet Revolver and plan on releasing a new album at the end of Summer, 2009.

Swing on This

http://djallyn.org/media/AIC_swing-on-this.flv

Mother said come home
Father said come home
Sisters said come home
So my friends said come home

I said

Let me be, I’m alright
Can’t you see, I’m just fine
Little skinny, okay
I’m asleep anyway

Then I heard a voice
Said “Son you have a choice”
I then slapped my face

Let me be, I’m okay
I’m awake anyway
It’s too bright over there
I can shift, cannot steer
So I drive them away
For a while, then I stay

(Solo)

Now I have to go home
Do as, when in Rome

Let me be, I’m alright
Can’t you see I’m just fine
Little skinny, okay
I’m asleep anyway
Let me be, I’m okay
I’m awake anyway

• Audio from the 1994 album, Jar of Flies:

Other Songs Posted for this Artist

• February 17, 2010 -- I Stay Away – Alice In Chains
• January 27, 2010 -- Don’t Follow – Alice in Chains
• January 13, 2010 -- Black Gives Way to Blue – Alice in Chains
• January 10, 2010 -- Your Decision – Alice in Chains
• November 12, 2009 -- Rooster – Alice in Chains
• September 19, 2009 -- Man in the Box ~ Alice in Chains
• November 29, 2008 -- Sludge Factory ~ Alice in Chains
• September 3, 2008 -- Down in a Hole ~ Alice in Chains
• July 21, 2008 -- Brother ~ Alice in Chains
• July 5, 2008 -- Would? ~ Alice in Chains
• January 24, 2008 -- No Excuses ~ Alice in Chains
• November 5, 2007 -- Barracuda ~ Alice in Chains with Gretchen Wilson

Tagged as: Alice in Chains