Alice in Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who then recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne Staley. The band is known for its distinctive vocal style, which often included the harmonized vocals of Staley and Cantrell. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, along with other Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. The band’s third studio album, Dirt (1992), and its follow-up, Alice in Chains (1995), have been certified quadruple-platinum and triple-platinum respectively by the RIAA. The band has had 16 top ten songs on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and four Grammy Award nominations. The band reunited in 2005 with its surviving members, and released Black Gives Way to Blue in 2009, its first album in 14 years. The band has toured extensively and released several EPs and two live albums. Its most recent album, Rainier Fog, was released in August 2018.
| Name | Alice in Chains |
| Genre | Grunge, Alternative Metal, Hard Rock |
| Formed | 1987 |
| Members | Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Mike Inez, William Duvall |
| Date of Birth | Jerry Cantrell (March 18, 1966), Sean Kinney (May 27, 1966), Mike Inez (June 6, 1966), William Duvall (September 15, 1967) |
| Label | Columbia Records |
10 Best Alice in Chains Quotes
“We always just wanted to be a really good rock band.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Rolling Stone
“We want to be respected as a band, and not just lumped in as a heavy metal band.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Rolling Stone
“We strive to make our music as honest as possible.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Grammy.com
“I think it’s important to be honest to yourself and to the audience.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Grammy.com
“I think our music has always been about being honest and open about what we feel and what’s going on in our lives.”
– William DuVall, from Grammy.com
“We try to always be growing and evolving as a band.”
– William DuVall, from Grammy.com
“We try to take the best of what we know and have experienced, and then try to move forward from there.”
– William DuVall, from Grammy.com
“It’s important to not get too comfortable with what you do and to keep pushing yourself to new heights.”
– Mike Inez, from Grammy.com
“We always try to be honest and sincere in our music.”
– Mike Inez, from Grammy.com
“We don’t try to change ourselves to fit a certain mold. We just be ourselves and try to make the best music we can.”
– Sean Kinney, from Grammy.com
8 Inspirational Alice in Chains Quotes
“We’ve been through some really weird, dark times and we’ve come out of it. We’re a lot tougher and a lot wiser.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from NME
“We’re just trying to make music that’s true to us and our fans, and we’re just trying to make ourselves happy.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Billboard
“No matter what, you’re going to have those moments of doubt, but you can’t let them take over.”
– Mike Inez, from Guitar World
“I think that, even though we’re all different, we’re kind of like the same person in different bodies. We’re all coming from the same place and have the same goals.”
– Mike Inez, from Billboard
“There’s a lot of stuff that I try to do in my music to make it sound like it’s coming from the same place, like a dream.”
– William DuVall, from Guitar World
“I think that it’s important to stay true to yourself and to your art and to be unafraid of experimentation.”
– William DuVall, from Consequence of Sound
“The most important thing is to take care of yourself, take care of each other and take care of your music.”
– Sean Kinney, from NME
“We try to take the positive things from the past, but still move forward.”
– Sean Kinney, from Billboard
7 Famous Alice in Chains Quotes
“I’m a classic example of somebody who’s too sensitive for this cruel, cruel world.”
– Layne Staley, from Rolling Stone
“We were a band that was kind of like a family. We were really tight.”
– Mike Starr, from Vice
“I think the more you listen to something, the more it will tell you.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Guitar World
“We’ve been unique in the way we’ve gone about things. We got right down to business — no bullshit.”
– Sean Kinney, from Loudersound
“We wanted to make something where, if you listen to it over and over again, you’d find new things in it.”
– William DuVall, from Kerrang
“We always knew it was something special and we knew it was something that was bigger than us.”
– Mike Inez, from Rolling Stone
“It’s really a blessing, you know. You don’t take it for granted, that’s for sure.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from NME
7 Alice in Chains Quotes About Love
“Love is a thing that, if you don’t give it away, it will make you sick.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from MTV
“Love is the answer to all questions.”
– Sean Kinney, from Loudersound
“Love is a really powerful thing.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Rolling Stone
“Love is the most powerful energy of them all.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Loudwire
“Love is everything.”
– William DuVall, from NME
“Love is the only thing that we can take with us.”
– William DuVall, from YouTube
“Love is the only thing that matters.”
– William DuVall, from YouTube
7 Alice in Chains Quotes About Life
“We all have our stories, our paths, and our struggles. That is life.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Rolling Stone
“I’m not the kind of guy who’s gonna stand up and tell you, ‘Life is great and everything’s wonderful.’ That’s bullsh*t. Life is hard.”
– Jerry Cantrell, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a precious gift, and you should treat it with respect.”
– Mike Inez, from Guitar World
“I think life is what you make of it.”
– Mike Inez, from Guitar World
“Sometimes we’re so focused on the things we don’t have, we forget to appreciate the things we do have. That’s life.”
– William DuVall, from Loudersound
“When life gets complicated, something simple can be a godsend.”
– William DuVall, from Loudersound
“Life is a journey. It’s a long one, so make the most of it.”
– William DuVall, from Loudersound
5 Quotes About Alice in Chains
“Alice in Chains was the soundtrack to my teenage years.”
– Chad Gray, from Rolling Stone
“Alice in Chains was a pioneering band in the Seattle music scene in the early 90s.”
– Michael Azerrad, from Rolling Stone
“Alice in Chains is an iconic band that has had a major influence on the rock genre.”
– Joe Smith, from Louder Sound
“Alice in Chains has been a part of my life since I was a young teen, and they have always been a source of inspiration for me.”
– Dave Mustaine, from MetalSucks
Interview with Alice in Chains
Frequently Asked Questions About Alice in Chains
1. What are some of the most famous quotes from Alice in Chains?
Alice in Chains is a Seattle-based rock band that has been producing hard-hitting, iconic music for over three decades. The band has released six studio albums, one live album, two extended plays, and a number of compilations. The lyrics of their songs often touch on dark themes like addiction, depression, and death. As such, their music is filled with thought-provoking and meaningful quotes. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Alice in Chains:
- “It’s better to feel pain, than to feel nothing at all.” – Nutshell
- “You can’t have it all, but you can have one thing right.” – Heaven Beside You
- “Life’s a never-ending wheel, some will win, some will lose.” – Man in the Box
- “It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.” – Would?
- “It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t.” – Down in a Hole
- “No excuse for the things I do, I just do what I please.” – Rooster
- “We all die in the end, so make the most of it.” – No Excuses
- “Pain is just another word for love.” – I Stay Away
2. What is the message behind Alice in Chains’ songs?
Alice in Chains is a Seattle-based rock band from the late 80s and early 90s whose music has remained popular and influential to this day. The band’s songs are often characterized by dark and brooding lyrics, often dealing with themes of pain, loss, and death. The message behind Alice in Chains’ songs is one of resilience and hope in the face of despair.
- The band’s songs often depict a struggle against the hardships of life.
- The lyrics often confront issues such as depression, addiction, and death.
- The message behind Alice in Chains’ songs is one of hope in the face of despair.
- The band encourages listeners to embrace their struggles and find the strength to persevere.
- The lyrics often emphasize the importance of finding peace and comfort in the face of hardship.
- The band’s lyrics often speak to the power of friendship and community in helping to overcome difficult times.
3. What are the most popular Alice in Chains albums?
Alice in Chains is one of the most influential grunge bands of the 1990s. Since their debut album, Facelift, in 1990, the band has released six studio albums and two EPs. All of their albums have achieved great success and have been certified either gold or platinum by the RIAA. Here is a list of the most popular Alice in Chains albums:
- Facelift (1990)
- Dirt (1992)
- Alice in Chains (1995)
- Unplugged (1996)
- Jar of Flies (1994)
- Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999)
- Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
- The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)
Alice in Chains has been praised for their unique sound and lyrics, which often deal with dark, personal themes. Their music has influenced countless other bands and continues to be popular today.
4. How have Alice in Chains impacted the music industry?
Alice in Chains is one of the most influential hard rock bands of the 1990s, and they have had a lasting impact on the music industry. Here are some of the ways they have impacted the music industry:
- Alice in Chains’ sound was a major influence on the grunge music scene, and their heavy riffs and powerful vocals helped to create a genre that has remained popular for decades.
- They were among the first bands to incorporate elements of metal and punk into their music, creating a unique sound that was the bridge between the two genres.
- Alice in Chains was one of the first bands to incorporate the use of layering and multi-tracking in their music, giving their songs a more complex and dynamic sound.
- They have released several groundbreaking albums, including “Dirt”, “Jar of Flies”, and “Alice in Chains”, which are still considered to be some of the best albums of all time.
- Alice in Chains was one of the first bands to incorporate the use of video clips to promote their music, which has become a staple in the music industry.
- Their music has been featured in numerous movies and television shows, giving them mainstream exposure and helping to further their influence in the music industry.
- Through their music, Alice in Chains has been able to spread awareness about mental health issues, and the importance of taking care of oneself.
Alice in Chains has been an important and influential force in the music industry, and their impact can still be felt today.
5. What themes does Alice in Chains explore in their music?
Alice in Chains has been known to explore a variety of themes in their music, including love, loss, anger, alienation, and depression.
- Love
- Loss
- Anger
- Alienation
- Depression
The band has addressed many of these topics directly through their lyrics, but some of the themes have been implied through their music. For example, their songs often contain references to drug use and mental health, which are topics that are often linked to depression. The band has also explored themes of mortality, with songs such as “Would?” and “Nutshell” addressing the subject of death. Alice in Chains’ music also often contains themes of anger and frustration, which are often expressed through the band’s heavy guitar riffs and aggressive singing.
Conclusion
Alice in Chains is one of the most influential bands of the 1990s. They have created a unique sound that is still heard today and their music continues to inspire generations of musicians. Their lyrics are filled with emotion and their music is powerful and meaningful. Alice in Chains has left a lasting impression on the music industry and will always be remembered as a great influence in the world of rock and metal.
