FAQ |
GENERAL Who Alice in Chains Are Description: If you must categorize, AIC seem to fit into the rock genre, somewhere between hard rock and alternative. Their fan base seems to span beyond categories, so I won't bother trying to pigeonhole them. I'm sure the band would appreciate it. Where to Find Further FAQ Revisions As previously mentioned, there is no set schedule for revisions and updates for this FAQ, but as interesting information or changes comes up, chances are you will be able to find updated versions posted to alt.music.aliceinchains. It will also be available via anonymous ftp at ftp.halcyon.com in the directory /pub/users/angrychr/. If you have updated information to contribute to further revisions, please send any pertinent information to me at [email protected] and I'll be sure and get it included in the next revision. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BEGINNINGS The Members Alice in Chains are: Jerry Cantrell, (guitar, vocals) 3-18-66 Layne Staley, (lead vocals, guitar) 8-22-67 Sean Kinney, (drums, percussion) 5-27-66 Mike Inez, (bass - 1993 - present) 5-14-66 Mike Starr, (bass - to 1993) 4- 6-66 The Name There is much speculation regarding the meaning behind the name 'Alice In Chains.' The story seems to be that is just sounded good. However, AIC was not the first name the band had given themselves throughout their careers. ... Among the rejects, 'Diamond Lie 'and 'Fuck.' One story goes that during an in-store appearance, the band passed out condoms with 'Fuck The Band' on the wrappers. Band History I'll keep this brief. An official history of the band can be found elsewhere on the internet. (see WWW Information below) Formed in Seattle in 1987, Alice in Chains were classified by local rock press and glam rock style ripoffs and got little or no respect for the most part. After finding their own style, they managed to get signed to Columbia records in 1989 and started work on their first major label release, an EP called 'We Die Young.' After the release of their first major label full-length record 'Facelift' things started to look up for the band, who were now being labeled the most successful band to come out of the Seattle area. The band are now known mostly for their sometimes dirgy and intense, but always exceptional music dealing with issues such as relationships, pain, and drugs, to name just a few. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RELEASES (Most of this information was taken from the current Alice in Chains discography compiled by Doug Fierro. There are singles listed in the discography that, for purposes of brevity, are not listed here. The current discography is available via the AIC Homepage. See internet resources below.) We Die Young (EP) Columbia Records, June 1990. The bands first release. This was a very limited release and is no longer in print. If you want to find this, you may have to do some hunting because no one I know knows where to find it anymore. Track listing: We Die Young, Killing Yourself, and It Ain't Like That. Here's a JPG of the front cover of the EP [146k]: http://www.halycon.com/angrychr/wedie.jpg. Facelift (CK 46075) Columbia Records, August 1990. The bands first full length record. Still available in all fine record stores, I'm sure. The general focus of this record seems to be relationships and related emotions. A departure from their glam rock/demo days, AIC displayed maturity in dealing with serious subjects lyrically as well as the growing complexity of song structure that the band is now known for. It also provides a glimpse of what is to come in later releases. This release was certified gold in September 1991. Track listing: We Die Young, Man in the Box, Sea of Sorrow, Bleed the Freak, I Can't Remember, Love Hate Love, It Ain't Like That, Sunshine, Put You Down, Confusion, I Know Somethin'('Bout You), Real Thing. Sap (EP) (44K 74182) Columbia Records, November 1991. The band's second EP. Inspired by a dream Sean Kinney had in which, at a press conference, he announces the band's new album is titled 'Sap.' Okay, it wasn't a full-length, but AIC apparently decided not to mess with fate. Recorded in a short period of time, AIC showed a softer side with melodic, acoustically based songs recorded with fellow Seattle musicians Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Mark Arm (Mudhoney) and some powerful background vocals provided by Ann Wilson (Heart). Also included on this release is an unlisted track (#5) entitled 'Love Song' where the band played 'musical chairs' with their instruments (Sean does double-duty with piano and vocals, Layne is on drums, Mike Starr on guitar and Jerry on bass). Track listing: Brother, Got Me Wrong, Right Turn (listed under Alice Mudgarden), Am I Inside, Love Song. (#5 is an unlisted track). Dirt (CK 52475) Columbia Records, November 1992. Mostly regarded as a drug record, this release dealt with the addictions that Layne had battled for a number of years, among other things. The songs were supposed to be arranged in a progression, giving the record a story-like quality, starting with the problem, the consequences, and some sort of a resolution. This explains why some CD's were released with the order changed. Apparently, earlier pressings had the songs out of order, while subsequent releases had the correct order of the songs. However, there has been much debate over which release came out first. In a recent interview, Jerry Cantrell cleared up the debate about the song order, mentioning that that the version with 'Down in a Hole' as the fourth song is the current and corrected version. Track listing: (current version) Them Bones, Dam That River, Rain When I Die, Down in A Hole, Sickman, Rooster, Junkhead, Dirt, God Smack, [untitled - dubbed 'Iron Gland'], Hate to Feel, Angry Chair, Would?. Jar of Flies (EP) (CK 57628) Columbia Records, January 1994. Desperately recorded in seven days in September of 1993, this was another mostly-acoustic EP release just for the heck of it, according to the band. Little did anyone know that it would top the Billboard chart in its first week of release. Surprising, since the band didn't even have note one in mind when they headed into the studio. Track listing: Rotten Apple, Nutshell, I Stay Away, No Excuses, Whale & Wasp, Don't Follow, Swing on This. Jar of Flies (CD+) (Mac: SONY 7464-68085 2 | Win: SONY 7464-66893 2) Sony, October 1995. This CD Plus format is the Jar of Flies CD in its entirety, but can also be used with a CD-ROM to allow access to graphics files, interviews, a band history, sound and video clips, and other goodies. This user does not have a CD-ROM drive, so I'm unsure of exactly what is on it. NOTE: Before buying this CD Plus format CD, you MUST make sure that the CD-ROM your are using is multi-session/multi-tasking capable, as many people have had problems getting it to work, regardless of the drivers used. Alice in Chains (CK 67248) Columbia Records, November 1995. Recorded between April and September, 1995 at Bad Animals Studios in Seattle, Washington, this is the band's latest studio offering. The vinyl version was released on October 31st, with the CD/Cass. released the week after on November 7th. The front cover art is a picture of 'Sunshine,' a three legged dog. The cover picture (and the record's former working title 'Tripod') was inspired by a three-legged dog who apparently terrorized Sean Kinney whilst he delivered newspapers in the early days. Incidentally, Sean also designed the artwork for the CD as well. Track listing: Grind, Brush Away, Sludge Factory, Heaven Beside You, Head Creeps, Again, Shame in You, God Am, So Close, Nothin' Song, Frogs, Over Now. Live Facelift (video) (14V-49081) SMV Home Video, 1991. A combination of live video shot in December of 1990 (during the biggest snowstorm in NW history) at the Moore Theater, Seattle, WA and some professionally shot/directed promo videos for three songs from the 'Facelift' release. Track listing: (live footage) Man in the Box, Real Thing, Love Hate Love, Sea of Sorrow, Bleed the Freak, (videos) We Die Young, Man in the Box, Sea of Sorrow. Running time: 40 mins. The Nona Tapes (video) (14V-50137) CMV Home Video, December 1995. During AIC's time off before the recording of the new record, there were quite a few rumors generated about exactly what the band was up to. This video is a compilation of short interviews/stories to address some of the goings-on of the band members during this period. It's based around a fictious character, Nona Weisbaum (convincingly played by Jerry Cantrell), an unpublished 20-year veteran freelance gossip writer, and her adventures in interviewing Seattle 'rock boys' - Alice in Chains. The video also includes promotional photo shoot footage, the complete video for 'Grind' (the first single), and a preview of 'Heaven Beside You'. Running time: approx. 20 minutes. Unplugged (7464 67703 4) Sony Music, July 1996. Recorded in April at New York's Brooklyn Academy of Music for MTV's Unplugged Special, Alice in Chains performed a range of songs spanning the course of four of AIC's previous releases. Armed with acoustic guitars, some candles, a captive audience, and second guitarist Scott Olson, AIC gave one of their best live performances ever and captured the moment on record for your listening pleasure. This also includes a new song the guys wrote the morning of the taping called 'The Killer is Me.' Track listing: Nutshell, Brother, No Excuses, Sludge Factory, Down In A Hole, Angry Chair, Rooster, Got Me Wrong, Heaven Beside You, Would?, Frogs, Over Now, The Killer Is Me. MTV Unplugged (video) Sony Distribution, October 1996 This is basically the video version of the 'Unplugged' CD, taped for MTV's 'Unplugged' special. It's scheduled for release on October 8th. Soundtracks and Compilations (Soundtracks) Singles - 'Would?' [available on Dirt] The Last Action Hero - 'What the Hell Have I', 'A Little Bitter'. [unreleased tracks] Clerks - 'Got Me Wrong' [available on the Sap EP] The Cable Guy - 'Leave Me Alone' [unreleased track written by Jerry Cantrell and performed by Jerry Cantrell with Sean Kinney] (Compilations) Seattle Scruffs - Killing Yourself, I Can't Remember, Chemical Addiction, Sea of Sorrow, Can't Have You Blues. Also included are two from Soundgarden, and six from Mother Love Bone. [This should probably be in the bootlegs section, since it's not an official release.] Genrecide - Right Turn. [available on the Sap EP] |