Alice in Chains

by Jeff Suwak

Alice in Chains come across as the missing link between old-school heavy metal and what would come to be called grunge. Many have imitated them, but none have been able to truly replicate their style. There's never been a voice such as Layne Staley's, just as there has never been a creative force quite like Jerry Cantrell. Though Staley's heroin addiction derailed the band right at their peak, they still managed to create some of the most iconic music of the '90s.

If grunge did have a unifying principle, it wasn't fuzzy guitars, punk-like attitudes, or flannel. Rather, it was a devotion to authenticity and sincerity in music. Grunge can't be understood without looking at the 1980s, which rightfully or wrongfully were defined by corporate tastelessness, greed, and a general vapidity. Grunge was a response to the '80s zeitgeist. It was music made with raw feeling, and that's how it connected with youth around the world. Alice in Chains exemplified that philosophy and stuck to music that was intensely personal. It was technically brilliant stuff, but its real lasting power comes from that sincerity.

Here, we've put together an Alice in Chains quiz to test your knowledge of the band.
January 7, 2022
Fact or Fiction: Grunge
Fact or Fiction: Band Names
More Fact or Fiction

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.