| December 28, 2017 | |||||||||
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Lyrics: It’s alright Every day, it’s something It’s okay
Every day, it’s something Yeah, it’s fine Every day, it’s something Get It: Get your copy of Jar of Flies here: |
Seattle rockers Alice in Chains were best known for their gritty, grungy, under-a-perpetual-rain cloud sound that epitomized the Seattle sound of the early 1990s. However, AiC is much more than a grunge band; they are solid musicians who have released several acoustic-based records that show off the depths of their musical talents. In fact, 1994’s Jar of Flies and 1992’s Sap EPs—both acoustic affairs—remain in frequent rotation here at the Dances with Bass studios. AiC has produced 5 studio albums, 3 EPs (extended play singles), 3 live albums, 4 compilation albums, 2 DVDs, 30 music videos, and 28 singles. Of those 28 singles, 26 charted in the top 40 on either/both the mainstream and alternative rock charts. AiC’s hits include Man in the Box, Would, Rooster, Down in a Hole, and today’s featured track, No Excuses. AiC’s signature sound was the dark vocal harmony of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell (in the featured video, Staley is the blond vocalist). Sadly, Staley’s existence was fraught with drug dependence, and in 2002, he was found dead of an overdose of heroin and cocaine in his Seattle home. He had been dead for two weeks. His family and fellow band members had tried for years to get Staley into treatment, but he refused and isolated himself. In the end, he weighed just 86 pounds. In 2011, former bassist Mike Starr also died of a drug overdose in his Salt Lake City, Utah home. On a sadly ironic note, Starr was the last person to see Staley alive. On what police believe was the day before Staley died in 2002, Starr visited Staley at his home and quarreled with him over Staley’s refusal to seek rehab. Starr is not featured in either of the clips below because he’d already left the band though remained connected with some members, including Staley. Since Staley’s death, AiC has since reformed and has released two albums: Black Gives Way to Blue (2009) and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013). Vocalist Jerry Cantrell has released two solo records. Also, Staley was the vocalist for Mad Season, a supergroup that also included Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin, and bassist John Baker Saunders (who also died in 1999 from a drug overdose). Mad Season’s Above record scored a hit single, River of Deceit, in 1995. Despite all the tragedy surrounding AiC, the band produced some of the most iconic music coming from the 1990s Seattle grunge scene and received nine Grammy nominations. Video: This is the official video for No Excuses: Following is Alice in Chains performing No Excuses live on MTV Unplugged. The night this performance was filmed, Staley overdosed on heroin and was hospitalized. He would recover but never kick the drug addiction that ultimately took his life. And as a bonus, the following is a tribute video made for Layne Staley. The song, Black Gives Way to Blue, is the title track to AiCs 2009 album and is a tribute to Staley. Sir Elton John plays piano on the track. You Might Also Like:
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