Song:No Excuses
Album:The Essential Alice In Chains
Alice In Chains were a big part of the early 90s grunge movement based in Seattle. They didn't have any big hit singles but their albums were very successful. And they were a successful live draw. Lead singer Layne Staley started out in the mid-80s band Sleze. They decided to change their name to Alice N Chains. Then Staley met guitarist Jerry Cantrell at a party. He had seen Alice N Chains and he liked Staley's voice. Cantrell's parents had just kicked him out of the house so he went to live with Staley. Meanwhile Alice N Chains split up and Staley joined a funk band. When Cantrell's band Diamond Lie split up, he went looking for musicians to jam with. He talked to drummer Sean Kinney. He also needed a bassist and Mike Starr was the brother of Kinney's girlfriend. They eventually convinced Staley to be lead singer. He talked to the other members of Alice N Chains about using the name. Cantrell changed it to Alice In Chains. They started playing gigs and recorded a demo. The demo got them the guys who managed Soundgarden and that led to a record deal with Columbia in 1989. Their debut album Facelift was released in 1990. The album became a hit when MTV played the video for Man In A Box in heavy rotation. The album was certified 2XPlatinum. The 1992 album Dirt did even better. They also appeared in Cameron Crowe's 1992 film Singles which played a big role in popularizing the grunge scene. After touring, Starr left and was replaced by Mike Inez. Starr wanted to be at home with his family. Alice In Chains decided to go into the studio for a few days and record acoustically. This turned into the 1994 EP Jar Of Flies. No Excuses was a hit from that EP. It was the first EP to top the Billboard Hot 200 album chart. It was certified 3XPlatinum. Then Staley went into rehab for heroin addiction. While the band was rehearsing for an upcoming tour, it became clear the rehab didn't work. The tour was cancelled and it looked like the end for Alice In Chains. Staley joined the supergroup Mad Season. But Alice In Chains regrouped and released the 1996 album Alice In Chains. And they returned to touring. But after Staley overdosed in July 1996, they were again forced to go on hiatus. While Cantrell released a couple of solo albums, Staley died of an overdose in Apr. 19, 2002. That was the end of Alice In Chains. They reformed in 2006 with new singer William DuVall and a new album was released in 2009. They have a new album coming soon. This 2CD budget comp cover the Columbia years. Here's the video for No Excuses by Alice In Chains.
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