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

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.