Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in 1987 in Seattle, in the middle of the growing grunge scene. Though their music has clear grunge elements, it also takes cues from heavy metal and other variants of hard rock.

The band was formed in 1987 when Layne Staley met Cantrell at a party. By the time they had signed to Columbia Records in 1989 they had recruited bassist Mike Starr. Their first release was an EP We Die Young, and the title track became a radio hit. The debut LP was Facelift (1990), which spawned the hit "Man in the Box" and was certified gold within a year of its release.

Their next release was an unexpected acoustic album, Sap (1992), which featured vocal contributions by Ann Wilson (Heart) and Chris Cornell (Soundgarden). However, Dirt (1992) was a return to the guitar-driven rock of their debut. It was a huge success, achieving platinum success within a year. Unfortunately, Starr left the band at this point and was replaced by Mike Inez.

Another acoustic EP followed, 1994's Jar of Flies. It was recorded in a week and although of EP length, it distinguished itself by topping the album charts. Post-album touring was planned but never took place, fueling speculation that there were crippling substance abuse issues within the band. Instead a new album was released, Alice in Chains (1995), which was heavier and darker and hit the No.1 spot upon its debut. Again, no tour was forthcoming.

The band participated in the MTV Unplugged series, but their performance was messy and chaotic, with Staley fudging words and forgetting choruses. Nonetheless the resultant album reached No.3 in the charts. With Staley's condition worsening, the band had little option but to take a hiatus. Cantrell spent some time, with all the other AIC members except Staley, recording and releasing his 'solo' album Boggy Depot (1998). Staley managed to record two further songs with the band, "Get Born Again" and "Died", which were included on a compilation retrospective The Music Bank (1999).

Although they did not officially disband, they did not record again together. Staley deteriorated further, slipping into a deep depression after the drug related death of his girlfriend, and in 2002 he was found dead in his apartment - a result of a heroin and cocaine overdose. Cantrell dedicated his next solo album Degradation Trip (2002) -- mostly recorded before Staley died -- to Staley.

The remaining members of the band, Cantrell, Inez and Kinney, reunited in 2005 with Pat Lachman as vocalist. Further concerts followed and, in 2006, a small tour to coincide with the release of The Essential Alice in Chains compilation. An album of new material is planned for which the band has enlisted the vocal talents of William DuVall (Comes With the Fall).