Tool (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Danny Carey (Drums) 1990 -
Justin Chancellor (Bass) 1995 -
Adam Jones (Guitar) 1990 -
Maynard James Keenan (Vocals) 1990 -
Paul D'Amour 1990 - 1996
Albums
Opiate (1992)
Undertow (1993)
Ænima (1996)
Salival (Live) (2000)
Lateralus (2001)
10,000 Days (2006)
BIOGRAPHY
Formed around 1990 in Los Angeles, California, United States, Tool is a band that is most noted for combining hard rock and grunge with a wide variety of progressive structures, irregular time signatures and lyrics that range thematically from anger to philosophical and social matters. After performing a handful of shows in the Los Angeles area and up the West Coast, they toured in the United States with Rollins Band in the summer of 1992 in support of their EP Opiate. Their first full length recording, Undertow, was released in 1993.
Emerging with a groovy heavy metal sound on their first release, when the genre was dominated by thrash metal, they were later seen at the top of the alternative metal movement with the release of their second full-length studio album Ænima in 1996, the first recording the band made after original bassist Paul d’Amour left the band to form Lusk. After an ongoing evolution of their sound and continuous efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution on Lateralus (2001), their most recent album 10,000 Days (2006), as well as respective tours, they are generally described as a style-transgressing act and part of progressive and art rock.
Their aspirational work features exceptionally long or complex releases, controversial lyrics and cover art, and unorthodox music videos, which results in a rather ambivalent relationship between the band and today’s music industry, at times marked by censorship, and the band’s ongoing struggle for privacy.
Nevertheless, Tool receive critical acclaim, have won Grammy Awards, perform worldwide tours, and produce albums that top the charts in several countries. Between album releases, the band takes extended breaks that allow for collaboration with other artists to design award-winning album packaging, elaborate light shows and involvement in notable side-projects.
Danny Carey (Drums) 1990 -
Justin Chancellor (Bass) 1995 -
Adam Jones (Guitar) 1990 -
Maynard James Keenan (Vocals) 1990 -
Paul D'Amour 1990 - 1996
Albums
Opiate (1992)
Undertow (1993)
Ænima (1996)
Salival (Live) (2000)
Lateralus (2001)
10,000 Days (2006)
BIOGRAPHY
Formed around 1990 in Los Angeles, California, United States, Tool is a band that is most noted for combining hard rock and grunge with a wide variety of progressive structures, irregular time signatures and lyrics that range thematically from anger to philosophical and social matters. After performing a handful of shows in the Los Angeles area and up the West Coast, they toured in the United States with Rollins Band in the summer of 1992 in support of their EP Opiate. Their first full length recording, Undertow, was released in 1993.
Emerging with a groovy heavy metal sound on their first release, when the genre was dominated by thrash metal, they were later seen at the top of the alternative metal movement with the release of their second full-length studio album Ænima in 1996, the first recording the band made after original bassist Paul d’Amour left the band to form Lusk. After an ongoing evolution of their sound and continuous efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution on Lateralus (2001), their most recent album 10,000 Days (2006), as well as respective tours, they are generally described as a style-transgressing act and part of progressive and art rock.
Their aspirational work features exceptionally long or complex releases, controversial lyrics and cover art, and unorthodox music videos, which results in a rather ambivalent relationship between the band and today’s music industry, at times marked by censorship, and the band’s ongoing struggle for privacy.
Nevertheless, Tool receive critical acclaim, have won Grammy Awards, perform worldwide tours, and produce albums that top the charts in several countries. Between album releases, the band takes extended breaks that allow for collaboration with other artists to design award-winning album packaging, elaborate light shows and involvement in notable side-projects.
The Vines (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Craig Nicholls (guitar and vocals)
Patrick Matthews (bass and backing Vocals)
David Oliffe (drums)
BIOGRAPHY
The original lineup of the Vines met in suburban Sydney in the mid 1990s where Craig Nicholls, Patrick Matthews and David Oliffe met while working at their local McDonald’s. They decided to form a band with Nicholls on Guitar and Vocals, Matthews on Bass and Backing Vocals and Olliffe on drums. The band played Nirvana covers at parties while working on developing a sound of their own on Nicholls’ four-track recorder. The band was named the Vines because Nicholls’ father played in a Sydney band called the Vynes. After much press hype over their demos, the band released their first album, the critically well-received and commercially successful Highly Evolved, which saw Nicholls hailed by some as the next Kurt Cobain. Their success put some strain on the band, and while recording their first album, David Oliffe left the band, promptly to be replaced with present drummer Hamish Rosser. Winning Days was released in 2004, however apart from the hit single Ride, it wasn’t received as well by the music press than it’s predecessor. Nicholls’ erratic behavior in live performances and interviews also caused the band to fall out of favor in certain circles. Nicholls was later diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism, and the band went on temporary hiatus. During this time, Patrick Matthews left the Vines for the band Youth Group.
In mid 2005, the group had reported that they were working on their third album. In November, the band’s manager Andy Kelly announced they had finished recording all the songs that will be on their next album. The album Vision Valley was released on the 1st of April 2006 in Australia, the 3rd of April in Europe and the UK and the 4th of April in the United States.
Their fourth album, ‘Melodia’, is due for release 12 July 2008.
Craig Nicholls (guitar and vocals)
Patrick Matthews (bass and backing Vocals)
David Oliffe (drums)
BIOGRAPHY
The original lineup of the Vines met in suburban Sydney in the mid 1990s where Craig Nicholls, Patrick Matthews and David Oliffe met while working at their local McDonald’s. They decided to form a band with Nicholls on Guitar and Vocals, Matthews on Bass and Backing Vocals and Olliffe on drums. The band played Nirvana covers at parties while working on developing a sound of their own on Nicholls’ four-track recorder. The band was named the Vines because Nicholls’ father played in a Sydney band called the Vynes. After much press hype over their demos, the band released their first album, the critically well-received and commercially successful Highly Evolved, which saw Nicholls hailed by some as the next Kurt Cobain. Their success put some strain on the band, and while recording their first album, David Oliffe left the band, promptly to be replaced with present drummer Hamish Rosser. Winning Days was released in 2004, however apart from the hit single Ride, it wasn’t received as well by the music press than it’s predecessor. Nicholls’ erratic behavior in live performances and interviews also caused the band to fall out of favor in certain circles. Nicholls was later diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism, and the band went on temporary hiatus. During this time, Patrick Matthews left the Vines for the band Youth Group.
In mid 2005, the group had reported that they were working on their third album. In November, the band’s manager Andy Kelly announced they had finished recording all the songs that will be on their next album. The album Vision Valley was released on the 1st of April 2006 in Australia, the 3rd of April in Europe and the UK and the 4th of April in the United States.
Their fourth album, ‘Melodia’, is due for release 12 July 2008.
Soundgarden (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Chris Cornell (1984 - )
Hiro Yamamoto (1984 - 1989)
Kim Thayil (1984 - )
Scott Sundquist (1984 - )
Matt Cameron (1986 - )
Jason Everman (1990 - )
Jason Everman (1990 - )
Ben Shepherd (1990 - )
BIOGRAPHY
Soundgarden was a seminal seattle rock band who helped to define the sound that came to be called grunge. Despite starting years earlier, and having a sound that more closely resembled Black Sabbath or Deep Purple than their contemporaries, they are usually considered one of the ‘big four’ of the ’90s Seattle grunge bands, along with Alice in Chains, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. They were ranked number 14 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
The band was formed in 1984 by Chris Cornell (vocals, and originally drums) and Hiro Yamamoto (bass), to be joined later by Kim Thayil (guitar) and Scott Sundquist (drums). Thayil joined the band after moving to Seattle from illinois with Yamamoto and Bruce Pavitt, who would later start sub pop records. Scott Sundquist, who left in 1986 to concentrate more on his family, was replaced on drums by Matt Cameron. Yamamoto was replaced by Jason Everman on bass after the release of 1989’s Louder Than Love. Jason Everman was quickly replaced by Ben Shepherd, who remained with Soundgarden for the rest of its life-span.
Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, following an aborted tour in support of their album Down on the Upside, as a result of increasing tensions within the group. Cornell when on to pursue a solo career, releasing a solo album, Euphoria Morning. He subsequently went on to form Audioslave with former Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, while Cameron subsequently joined Pearl Jam, replacing Jack Irons on drums.
The band was named after an outdoor art/sound installation called the “Sound Garden,” located on NOAA property near Seattle’s Magnuson Park, which makes eerie sounds when the wind blows.
Chris Cornell (1984 - )
Hiro Yamamoto (1984 - 1989)
Kim Thayil (1984 - )
Scott Sundquist (1984 - )
Matt Cameron (1986 - )
Jason Everman (1990 - )
Jason Everman (1990 - )
Ben Shepherd (1990 - )
BIOGRAPHY
Soundgarden was a seminal seattle rock band who helped to define the sound that came to be called grunge. Despite starting years earlier, and having a sound that more closely resembled Black Sabbath or Deep Purple than their contemporaries, they are usually considered one of the ‘big four’ of the ’90s Seattle grunge bands, along with Alice in Chains, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. They were ranked number 14 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
The band was formed in 1984 by Chris Cornell (vocals, and originally drums) and Hiro Yamamoto (bass), to be joined later by Kim Thayil (guitar) and Scott Sundquist (drums). Thayil joined the band after moving to Seattle from illinois with Yamamoto and Bruce Pavitt, who would later start sub pop records. Scott Sundquist, who left in 1986 to concentrate more on his family, was replaced on drums by Matt Cameron. Yamamoto was replaced by Jason Everman on bass after the release of 1989’s Louder Than Love. Jason Everman was quickly replaced by Ben Shepherd, who remained with Soundgarden for the rest of its life-span.
Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, following an aborted tour in support of their album Down on the Upside, as a result of increasing tensions within the group. Cornell when on to pursue a solo career, releasing a solo album, Euphoria Morning. He subsequently went on to form Audioslave with former Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, while Cameron subsequently joined Pearl Jam, replacing Jack Irons on drums.
The band was named after an outdoor art/sound installation called the “Sound Garden,” located on NOAA property near Seattle’s Magnuson Park, which makes eerie sounds when the wind blows.
Smashing Pumpkins (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Billy Corgan (1988 - )
James Iha (1988 - 2000)
D'Arcy Wretzky (1988 - 2000)
Jimmy Chamberlin (1988 - )
Auf der Maur (1999 - 2000)
Jimmy Chamberlin (1988 - )
Jeff Schroeder (2007 - )
Ginger Reyes (2007 - )
Lisa Harriton (2007 - )
Jeff Schroeder (2007 - )
BIOGRAPHY
The Smashing Pumpkins are an influential American alternative rock/grunge band, formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Billy Corgan and James Iha met in a record store, and began performing in local nightclubs with their bassist, D’Arcy Wretzky, using a drum machine. Playing with a drum machine frustrated both the band and their audience, and so Chicago jazz drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was hired soon afterwards.
Less influenced by punk than many of their contemporaries, the Pumpkins had a densely layered, guitar-heavy sound, with powerful loud-to-soft-to-loud transitions, while still picking up grunge, heavy metal, power pop, psychedelic rock, shoegazer-style production.
In later recordings, namely Adore, the fourth album, an electronica flair filtered in after Jimmy Chamberlin temporarily left the band for drug rehab. Though Chamberlin returned for their fifth album, Machina/The Machines of God, electronica undertones remained. The emotional tone of bandleader Billy Corgan’s songs ranged from angry (X.Y.U.) to dour (Disarm) to jubilant (Cherub Rock).
Selling more than 18.3 million albums in the United States alone (as of 2006), the Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 1990s. However, internal fighting, diminishing sales, drug problems, cultural vitality, and what is speculated to be improper treatment from their record company, hampered the band in their later years, leading to the 2000 break-up.
Prior to the complete dissolution of the original line-up, their final tour (dubbed “Sacred and Profane”), featured former Hole bassist Auf der Maur to fill in the gap left by D’Arcy Wretzky, who left in September of 1999. Besides touring with the band she also appeared in the videos accompanying “Machina/The Machines of God”.
The band’s final album, “MACHINA II / The Friends And Enemies of Modern Music” was unofficially released on vinyl in 2000, prior to their break-up, with the record company refusing to back the band with a pressing. Only 25 vinyl copies were made, each signed by the band. The album was then released across various fan sites by those who received the album and transferred it digitally, as a final tribute to the band’s supporters.
Problems have been seen since then with Billy Corgan, James Iha (who later joined A Perfect Circle), and D’Arcy Wretzky, both of whom started their own record company Scratchie Records.
Billy Corgan would continue from there first forming the band Zwan with members Matt Sweeney, Paz Lenchantin, David Pajo, and Jimmy Chamberlin. After a bad breakup shortly after their debut album Mary Star of the Sea Billy turned solo and released the album TheFutureEmbrace. Jimmy Chamberlin formed the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, and Corgan recorded vocals for them on the track entitled Loki Cat.
In mid-april 2006 The Smashing Pumpkins “reunited” with original members Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin. They performed live as The Smashing Pumpkins for the first time in 6 and a half years on May 22, 2007 in Paris, France. There, the band unveiled new members Jeff Schroeder, Ginger Reyes and Lisa Harriton who took over rhythm guitarist, bassist and keyboard duties respectively.
The band’s latest studio album, titled “Zeitgeist”, was released on July 10, 2007 to mixed reviews. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, #1 on the United World Chart, and in the top ten for several other countries.
On Jan 2, 2008 the Pumpkins released the American Gothic EP exclusively on iTunes as part of an expanded version of Zeitgeist. The four tracks: “The Rose March”, “Again Again Again (The Crux)”, “Pox”, and “Sunkissed” demonstrate a more acoustic sound when compared to the rest of Zeitgeist.
In March, 2008 the group contributed the song “Superchrist” to a compilation CD released by Guitar Center. Though Corgan and Chamberlin have continued to record as a duo, Jeff Schroeder indicated that he might be contributing to future recordings. No longer signed to a record label, Corgan and Chamberlin purchased a recording studio in Chicago and began recording in May, again, as a pair. The band released the single G.L.O.W. on October 1st of 2008.
Billy Corgan (1988 - )
James Iha (1988 - 2000)
D'Arcy Wretzky (1988 - 2000)
Jimmy Chamberlin (1988 - )
Auf der Maur (1999 - 2000)
Jimmy Chamberlin (1988 - )
Jeff Schroeder (2007 - )
Ginger Reyes (2007 - )
Lisa Harriton (2007 - )
Jeff Schroeder (2007 - )
BIOGRAPHY
The Smashing Pumpkins are an influential American alternative rock/grunge band, formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Billy Corgan and James Iha met in a record store, and began performing in local nightclubs with their bassist, D’Arcy Wretzky, using a drum machine. Playing with a drum machine frustrated both the band and their audience, and so Chicago jazz drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was hired soon afterwards.
Less influenced by punk than many of their contemporaries, the Pumpkins had a densely layered, guitar-heavy sound, with powerful loud-to-soft-to-loud transitions, while still picking up grunge, heavy metal, power pop, psychedelic rock, shoegazer-style production.
In later recordings, namely Adore, the fourth album, an electronica flair filtered in after Jimmy Chamberlin temporarily left the band for drug rehab. Though Chamberlin returned for their fifth album, Machina/The Machines of God, electronica undertones remained. The emotional tone of bandleader Billy Corgan’s songs ranged from angry (X.Y.U.) to dour (Disarm) to jubilant (Cherub Rock).
Selling more than 18.3 million albums in the United States alone (as of 2006), the Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 1990s. However, internal fighting, diminishing sales, drug problems, cultural vitality, and what is speculated to be improper treatment from their record company, hampered the band in their later years, leading to the 2000 break-up.
Prior to the complete dissolution of the original line-up, their final tour (dubbed “Sacred and Profane”), featured former Hole bassist Auf der Maur to fill in the gap left by D’Arcy Wretzky, who left in September of 1999. Besides touring with the band she also appeared in the videos accompanying “Machina/The Machines of God”.
The band’s final album, “MACHINA II / The Friends And Enemies of Modern Music” was unofficially released on vinyl in 2000, prior to their break-up, with the record company refusing to back the band with a pressing. Only 25 vinyl copies were made, each signed by the band. The album was then released across various fan sites by those who received the album and transferred it digitally, as a final tribute to the band’s supporters.
Problems have been seen since then with Billy Corgan, James Iha (who later joined A Perfect Circle), and D’Arcy Wretzky, both of whom started their own record company Scratchie Records.
Billy Corgan would continue from there first forming the band Zwan with members Matt Sweeney, Paz Lenchantin, David Pajo, and Jimmy Chamberlin. After a bad breakup shortly after their debut album Mary Star of the Sea Billy turned solo and released the album TheFutureEmbrace. Jimmy Chamberlin formed the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, and Corgan recorded vocals for them on the track entitled Loki Cat.
In mid-april 2006 The Smashing Pumpkins “reunited” with original members Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin. They performed live as The Smashing Pumpkins for the first time in 6 and a half years on May 22, 2007 in Paris, France. There, the band unveiled new members Jeff Schroeder, Ginger Reyes and Lisa Harriton who took over rhythm guitarist, bassist and keyboard duties respectively.
The band’s latest studio album, titled “Zeitgeist”, was released on July 10, 2007 to mixed reviews. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, #1 on the United World Chart, and in the top ten for several other countries.
On Jan 2, 2008 the Pumpkins released the American Gothic EP exclusively on iTunes as part of an expanded version of Zeitgeist. The four tracks: “The Rose March”, “Again Again Again (The Crux)”, “Pox”, and “Sunkissed” demonstrate a more acoustic sound when compared to the rest of Zeitgeist.
In March, 2008 the group contributed the song “Superchrist” to a compilation CD released by Guitar Center. Though Corgan and Chamberlin have continued to record as a duo, Jeff Schroeder indicated that he might be contributing to future recordings. No longer signed to a record label, Corgan and Chamberlin purchased a recording studio in Chicago and began recording in May, again, as a pair. The band released the single G.L.O.W. on October 1st of 2008.
Screaming Trees (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Gary Lee Conner
Van Conner
Mark Lanegan
Mark Pickerel (1985 - 1992)
Barrett Martin (1992 - 2000)
DISCOGRAPHY:
Albums
1986 Clairvoyance
1987 Even If and Especially When
1988 Invisible Lantern
1989 Buzz Factory
1991 Uncle Anesthesia
1992 Sweet Oblivion
1996 Dust
EPs
Beat Happening - Screaming Trees
Other Worlds
Change Has Come
Something About Today
Winter Songs Tour Tracks
Compilations
Anthology: SST Years 1985-1989
Nearly Lost You
Ocean Of Confusion - Songs Of Screaming Trees 1990-1996
BIOGRAPHY
Screaming Trees were a grunge band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985. Their sound was a mix of 60’s psychedelia and punk rock, and even though they were critically acclaimed by many, they never achieved the superstardom of, say, Nirvana or Soundgarden. Following the Dust tour, Screaming Trees took another hiatus. After a June 25th 2000 concert to celebrate the opening Seattle’s Experience Music Project, the group unsurprisingly announced their official breakup.
One of their earliest performances was in Ellensburg where they opened for future superstars Soundgarden and Faith No More. Ticket price for this show was $3.00
The founding members were brothers Gary Lee Conner (guitars) and Van Conner (bass), vocalist Mark Lanegan, and drummer Mark Pickerel. They released several albums on the SST label, and then moved on to the Epic label later, after which Pickerel was replaced with Barrett Martin. After the band disbanded, most band members have moved on to other projects. Mark Lanegan did so most notably.
Gary Lee Conner
Van Conner
Mark Lanegan
Mark Pickerel (1985 - 1992)
Barrett Martin (1992 - 2000)
DISCOGRAPHY:
Albums
1986 Clairvoyance
1987 Even If and Especially When
1988 Invisible Lantern
1989 Buzz Factory
1991 Uncle Anesthesia
1992 Sweet Oblivion
1996 Dust
EPs
Beat Happening - Screaming Trees
Other Worlds
Change Has Come
Something About Today
Winter Songs Tour Tracks
Compilations
Anthology: SST Years 1985-1989
Nearly Lost You
Ocean Of Confusion - Songs Of Screaming Trees 1990-1996
BIOGRAPHY
Screaming Trees were a grunge band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985. Their sound was a mix of 60’s psychedelia and punk rock, and even though they were critically acclaimed by many, they never achieved the superstardom of, say, Nirvana or Soundgarden. Following the Dust tour, Screaming Trees took another hiatus. After a June 25th 2000 concert to celebrate the opening Seattle’s Experience Music Project, the group unsurprisingly announced their official breakup.
One of their earliest performances was in Ellensburg where they opened for future superstars Soundgarden and Faith No More. Ticket price for this show was $3.00
The founding members were brothers Gary Lee Conner (guitars) and Van Conner (bass), vocalist Mark Lanegan, and drummer Mark Pickerel. They released several albums on the SST label, and then moved on to the Epic label later, after which Pickerel was replaced with Barrett Martin. After the band disbanded, most band members have moved on to other projects. Mark Lanegan did so most notably.
Puddle of Mudd (profile band)
BIOGRAPHY
Puddle of Mudd is an American post-grunge band. The original incarnation of this band was formed in 1992 in Kansas City, Missouri. Critics label the band as grunge-derivative. In their hometown, they released their debut album “Stuck” in 1993, following “Abrasive” in 1996. These two albums gained very little publicity, and only their polished, commercialized efforts were known, leading new fans to believe that they were just carbon copies of original grunge bands, specifically Nirvana and Alice in Chains.
After this incarnation split up, a new version was formed in Los Angeles by vocalist Wes Scantlin.
Wes Scantlin was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. Raised in Kansas City, he attended Park Hill High School. He left after high school, and formed Puddle of Mudd in Los Angeles. They are now famous for songs such as “Control”, “She Hates Me”, and “Blurry”.
The band was named after the band’s old practice spot on the Missouri River flooded leaving a puddle of mud in their practice area.
Puddle of Mudd is signed to Fred Durst’s record label, Flawless Records.
In 2005 two members, Paul Phillips and Greg Upchurch, left the band. Greg currently drums for 3 Doors Down while Paul, now playing in Society Red, left citing creative and personal differences.
Their song “Control” was the official theme song of WWE’s Survivor Series pay-per-view event in November 2001, and their song “Nothing Left To Lose” was the official theme song of WWE’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in January 2004.
Their debut album, “Come Clean” spawned 4 hits and has sold 5 million albums to date. Their follow up, “Life on Display” spawned 1 hit single and sold 600.000 albums. In 2007, the band released “Famous”, which takes a general rock as well as “nu-grunge” approach.
The band is currently working on a live album that is slated for release in 2008.
Puddle of Mudd is an American post-grunge band. The original incarnation of this band was formed in 1992 in Kansas City, Missouri. Critics label the band as grunge-derivative. In their hometown, they released their debut album “Stuck” in 1993, following “Abrasive” in 1996. These two albums gained very little publicity, and only their polished, commercialized efforts were known, leading new fans to believe that they were just carbon copies of original grunge bands, specifically Nirvana and Alice in Chains.
After this incarnation split up, a new version was formed in Los Angeles by vocalist Wes Scantlin.
Wes Scantlin was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. Raised in Kansas City, he attended Park Hill High School. He left after high school, and formed Puddle of Mudd in Los Angeles. They are now famous for songs such as “Control”, “She Hates Me”, and “Blurry”.
The band was named after the band’s old practice spot on the Missouri River flooded leaving a puddle of mud in their practice area.
Puddle of Mudd is signed to Fred Durst’s record label, Flawless Records.
In 2005 two members, Paul Phillips and Greg Upchurch, left the band. Greg currently drums for 3 Doors Down while Paul, now playing in Society Red, left citing creative and personal differences.
Their song “Control” was the official theme song of WWE’s Survivor Series pay-per-view event in November 2001, and their song “Nothing Left To Lose” was the official theme song of WWE’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in January 2004.
Their debut album, “Come Clean” spawned 4 hits and has sold 5 million albums to date. Their follow up, “Life on Display” spawned 1 hit single and sold 600.000 albums. In 2007, the band released “Famous”, which takes a general rock as well as “nu-grunge” approach.
The band is currently working on a live album that is slated for release in 2008.
Pearl Jam (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Eddie Vedder
Stone Gossard
Mike McCready
Jeff Ament
Matt Cameron (1998 - )
Jack Irons (1994 - 1998)
Dave Abruzzese (1992 - 1994)
Dave Krusen (1991 - 1992)
BIOGRAPHY
Pearl Jam is an American grunge band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Since its inception, the band’s line-up has included Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guitar), Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), and Mike McCready (lead guitar). The band’s current drummer is Matt Cameron, formerly of Soundgarden, who has been with the band since 1998.
Formed after the demise of Ament and Gossard’s previous band Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam broke into the mainstream with its debut album Ten. One of the key bands of the grunge movement in the early 1990s, Pearl Jam was criticized early on—most notably by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain—as being a corporate cash-in on the alternative rock explosion. However, over the course of the band’s career its members became noted for their refusal to adhere to traditional music industry practices, including refusing to make music videos and engaging in a much-publicized boycott of Ticketmaster. In 2006, Rolling Stone described the band as having “spent much of the past decade deliberately tearing apart their own fame.”
The band has sold 30 million records in the U.S., and an estimated 60 million albums worldwide. Pearl Jam has outlasted many of its contemporaries from the alternative rock breakthrough of the early 1990s and is considered one of the most influential bands of the decade. Allmusic calls it “the most popular American rock & roll band of the ’90s”.
Eddie Vedder
Stone Gossard
Mike McCready
Jeff Ament
Matt Cameron (1998 - )
Jack Irons (1994 - 1998)
Dave Abruzzese (1992 - 1994)
Dave Krusen (1991 - 1992)
BIOGRAPHY
Pearl Jam is an American grunge band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Since its inception, the band’s line-up has included Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guitar), Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), and Mike McCready (lead guitar). The band’s current drummer is Matt Cameron, formerly of Soundgarden, who has been with the band since 1998.
Formed after the demise of Ament and Gossard’s previous band Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam broke into the mainstream with its debut album Ten. One of the key bands of the grunge movement in the early 1990s, Pearl Jam was criticized early on—most notably by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain—as being a corporate cash-in on the alternative rock explosion. However, over the course of the band’s career its members became noted for their refusal to adhere to traditional music industry practices, including refusing to make music videos and engaging in a much-publicized boycott of Ticketmaster. In 2006, Rolling Stone described the band as having “spent much of the past decade deliberately tearing apart their own fame.”
The band has sold 30 million records in the U.S., and an estimated 60 million albums worldwide. Pearl Jam has outlasted many of its contemporaries from the alternative rock breakthrough of the early 1990s and is considered one of the most influential bands of the decade. Allmusic calls it “the most popular American rock & roll band of the ’90s”.
Nirvana (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Kurt Cobain - vocals, guitar (1987–1994)
Krist Novoselic - bass (1987–1994)
Dave Grohl - drums, vocals (1990–1994)
PERIOR MEMBERS:
Aaron Burckhard - drums (1987–1988)
Dale Crover - drums (1988, 1990)
Dave Foster - drums (1988)
Chad Channing - drums (1988–1990)
Jason Everman - guitar (1989)
Dan Peters - drums (1990)
TOURING MEMBERS:
Pat Smear - guitar (1993–1994)
Lori Goldston - cello (1993–1994)
Melora Creager - cello (1994)
BIOGRAPHY
Nirvana was a popular and highly influential American grunge band. The band formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987, and was part of the Seattle grunge scene of the late 80s. Other Seattle grunge bands such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden also gained in popularity, and, as a result, alternative rock became a dominant genre on American and Canadian radio and music television during the early-to-mid ’90s.
Nirvana’s initial incarnation consisted of Kurt Cobain on guitar and vocals, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Chad Channing. After a brief stint as a four-piece in 1989 with the addition of second guitarist Jason Everman, followed soon after by the replacement of Channing on drums in 1990, the band found the lineup that would form the core of the group when they added former Scream drummer Dave Grohl.
As Nirvana’s frontman, Cobain found himself referred to in the media as the “spokesman of a generation”, with Nirvana the “flagship band” of “Generation X”. Cobain was uncomfortable with the attention, and placed his focus on the band’s music, challenging the band’s audience with their much more abrasive third studio album In Utero, cosidered to be a conscious attempt to shed their audience. While Nirvana’s mainstream popularity waned in the months following its release, their core audience cherished the band’s dark interior, particularly after their 1993 performance on MTV Unplugged with the Meat Puppets, a band that Cobain had always idolised, performing with them the songs Oh, Me, Plateau and Lake of Fire. It was later released and topped the charts in 1994.
Nirvana’s brief run ended with the suicide of Cobain in 1994, but the band’s popularity expanded in the years that followed. Eight years after Cobain’s death, “You Know You’re Right”, an unfinished demo that the band recorded two months prior to Cobain’s death, topped radio playlists around the world. Since their debut, the band has sold more than fifty million albums worldwide, including more than ten million copies of Nevermind in the US alone. Nirvana remains a consistent presence on radio stations worldwide.
In 2004, the box set “With the Lights Out”, a collection of radio sessions, home demos, studio demos and outtakes, was released. A year later, “Sliver: The Best of the Box” was released, a compilation of selected “WTLO” tracks, but with 3 new tracks including a track from the famous “Fecal Matter” demo.
Kurt Cobain - vocals, guitar (1987–1994)
Krist Novoselic - bass (1987–1994)
Dave Grohl - drums, vocals (1990–1994)
PERIOR MEMBERS:
Aaron Burckhard - drums (1987–1988)
Dale Crover - drums (1988, 1990)
Dave Foster - drums (1988)
Chad Channing - drums (1988–1990)
Jason Everman - guitar (1989)
Dan Peters - drums (1990)
TOURING MEMBERS:
Pat Smear - guitar (1993–1994)
Lori Goldston - cello (1993–1994)
Melora Creager - cello (1994)
BIOGRAPHY
Nirvana was a popular and highly influential American grunge band. The band formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987, and was part of the Seattle grunge scene of the late 80s. Other Seattle grunge bands such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden also gained in popularity, and, as a result, alternative rock became a dominant genre on American and Canadian radio and music television during the early-to-mid ’90s.
Nirvana’s initial incarnation consisted of Kurt Cobain on guitar and vocals, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Chad Channing. After a brief stint as a four-piece in 1989 with the addition of second guitarist Jason Everman, followed soon after by the replacement of Channing on drums in 1990, the band found the lineup that would form the core of the group when they added former Scream drummer Dave Grohl.
As Nirvana’s frontman, Cobain found himself referred to in the media as the “spokesman of a generation”, with Nirvana the “flagship band” of “Generation X”. Cobain was uncomfortable with the attention, and placed his focus on the band’s music, challenging the band’s audience with their much more abrasive third studio album In Utero, cosidered to be a conscious attempt to shed their audience. While Nirvana’s mainstream popularity waned in the months following its release, their core audience cherished the band’s dark interior, particularly after their 1993 performance on MTV Unplugged with the Meat Puppets, a band that Cobain had always idolised, performing with them the songs Oh, Me, Plateau and Lake of Fire. It was later released and topped the charts in 1994.
Nirvana’s brief run ended with the suicide of Cobain in 1994, but the band’s popularity expanded in the years that followed. Eight years after Cobain’s death, “You Know You’re Right”, an unfinished demo that the band recorded two months prior to Cobain’s death, topped radio playlists around the world. Since their debut, the band has sold more than fifty million albums worldwide, including more than ten million copies of Nevermind in the US alone. Nirvana remains a consistent presence on radio stations worldwide.
In 2004, the box set “With the Lights Out”, a collection of radio sessions, home demos, studio demos and outtakes, was released. A year later, “Sliver: The Best of the Box” was released, a compilation of selected “WTLO” tracks, but with 3 new tracks including a track from the famous “Fecal Matter” demo.
Hole (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Courtney Love (1989 - 2002)
Eric Erlandson (1989 - 2002)
Patty Schemel (1993 - 1997)
Melissa Auf der Maur (1994 - 1999)
Kristen Pfaff (1993 - 1994)
Caroline Rue (1989 - 1992)
Jill Emery (1989 - 1992)
Samantha Maloney (1997 - 2002)
BIOGRAPHY
Hole was an alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1989 fronted by Courtney Love and co-founded by Eric Erlandson, and featuring Patty Schemel on drums and Melissa Auf der Maur on bass from 1994 until October 20, 1999; previous bassist Kristen Pfaff died of a heroin overdose in 1994. Other previous band members include drummer Caroline Rue and bassist Jill Emery.
Hole’s 1991 album, Pretty on the Inside, received praise from underground critics. After the success of Pretty on the Inside, Hole was signed to Geffen Records. Hole entered the studio to record their major label debut in 1993, the resulting album, Live Through This, included the hit singles Doll Parts, Violet, and Miss World.
Hole’s third album, Celebrity Skin, had a completely new sound for the band. Featuring a more “pop” sound, the album was a critical success with somewhat strong sales and successful singles. However rumours that many songs had been “ghost-written” by Billy Corgan, coupled with Love’s refusal to acknowledge the input of late husband Kurt Cobain on previous releases, fueled criticism of the “musical integrity” of Courtney’s work. Band members have changed frequently over the years; drummer Samantha Maloney was hired for the promotion and tour in support of Celebrity Skin after Schemel left the band for unspecified reasons. Actor Edward Norton, who was also Courtney Love’s boyfriend, played guitar with the band for a few gigs.
Hole was officially disbanded by Love via a message posted at the band’s website in 2002. After the split, the four musicians each took on projects of their own. Auf der Maur joined The Smashing Pumpkins and later recorded a solo album; Erlandson continued to work as a session musician; Maloney toured with Mötley Crüe, Scarling., Peaches, and Eagles of Death Metal; and Love began a solo career, releasing America’s Sweetheart in 2004.
Courtney Love (1989 - 2002)
Eric Erlandson (1989 - 2002)
Patty Schemel (1993 - 1997)
Melissa Auf der Maur (1994 - 1999)
Kristen Pfaff (1993 - 1994)
Caroline Rue (1989 - 1992)
Jill Emery (1989 - 1992)
Samantha Maloney (1997 - 2002)
BIOGRAPHY
Hole was an alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1989 fronted by Courtney Love and co-founded by Eric Erlandson, and featuring Patty Schemel on drums and Melissa Auf der Maur on bass from 1994 until October 20, 1999; previous bassist Kristen Pfaff died of a heroin overdose in 1994. Other previous band members include drummer Caroline Rue and bassist Jill Emery.
Hole’s 1991 album, Pretty on the Inside, received praise from underground critics. After the success of Pretty on the Inside, Hole was signed to Geffen Records. Hole entered the studio to record their major label debut in 1993, the resulting album, Live Through This, included the hit singles Doll Parts, Violet, and Miss World.
Hole’s third album, Celebrity Skin, had a completely new sound for the band. Featuring a more “pop” sound, the album was a critical success with somewhat strong sales and successful singles. However rumours that many songs had been “ghost-written” by Billy Corgan, coupled with Love’s refusal to acknowledge the input of late husband Kurt Cobain on previous releases, fueled criticism of the “musical integrity” of Courtney’s work. Band members have changed frequently over the years; drummer Samantha Maloney was hired for the promotion and tour in support of Celebrity Skin after Schemel left the band for unspecified reasons. Actor Edward Norton, who was also Courtney Love’s boyfriend, played guitar with the band for a few gigs.
Hole was officially disbanded by Love via a message posted at the band’s website in 2002. After the split, the four musicians each took on projects of their own. Auf der Maur joined The Smashing Pumpkins and later recorded a solo album; Erlandson continued to work as a session musician; Maloney toured with Mötley Crüe, Scarling., Peaches, and Eagles of Death Metal; and Love began a solo career, releasing America’s Sweetheart in 2004.
Babes In Toyland (profile band)
BIOGRAPHY
Babes in Toyland was an American all-female grunge/punk trio formed in Minneapolis in 1987. Members included Kat Bjelland (guitar and vocals), Lori Barbero (drums) and Michelle Leon (bass). Leon left the band in 1992 and was replaced by Maureen Herman. The band achieved notoriety through Bjelland’s “baby doll” image, sometimes referred to as the “kinderwhore” look, which contrasted dramatically with the raw power of her singing voice and her aggressive lyrics. The band’s first major label album, Fontanelle, sold around 200,000 copies. The lead song on the album, “Bruise Violet”, is said to be an attack on Courtney Love of Hole: “You see the stars through eyes lit up with lies/You got your stories all twisted up in mine.” (Love is a former bandmate of Bjelland’s.) However, in a recent interview, Bjelland has denied this, saying instead that “Violet” was the name of a muse to both her and Love. The band was picked to take part in the 1993 Lollapalooza tour. While the band was inspirational to many performers in the Olympia, WA-based riot grrrl movement, they never participated directly, and were closer to the Minneapolis punk rock and international grunge scenes of the day. The band was the subject of the 1994 book, Babes in Toyland: The Making and Selling of a Rock and Roll Band by Neal Karlen, which dealt with the band’s signing to Warner and the recording of Fontanelle. The band also appears in the 1992 documentary, 1991: The Year Punk Broke.
The band split and reformed throughout the 1990s, losing their record label when Herman left the band in 1996. Dana Cochrane, formerly of Mickey Finn, played bass with the band during live gigs in 1996. Leon rejoined for a brief period in 1997, after which the band went into hiatus, and Bjelland and Barbero played with a new bassist, Jesse Farmer, in 2000. But a year earlier, Bjelland had formed a new band, Katastrophy Wife, which seemed to replace Babes as her main vehicle. Babes in Toyland (with Farmer on bass) played a reunion show billed as “The Last Tour” on November 21, 2001—released as a live album called Minneapolism—and this seems to be the last official Babes activity; Bjelland played some shows in Europe in 2002 as Babes in Toyland with a new drummer and bassist, but stopped using the name after Barbero and Herman raised legal issues.
Babes in Toyland was an American all-female grunge/punk trio formed in Minneapolis in 1987. Members included Kat Bjelland (guitar and vocals), Lori Barbero (drums) and Michelle Leon (bass). Leon left the band in 1992 and was replaced by Maureen Herman. The band achieved notoriety through Bjelland’s “baby doll” image, sometimes referred to as the “kinderwhore” look, which contrasted dramatically with the raw power of her singing voice and her aggressive lyrics. The band’s first major label album, Fontanelle, sold around 200,000 copies. The lead song on the album, “Bruise Violet”, is said to be an attack on Courtney Love of Hole: “You see the stars through eyes lit up with lies/You got your stories all twisted up in mine.” (Love is a former bandmate of Bjelland’s.) However, in a recent interview, Bjelland has denied this, saying instead that “Violet” was the name of a muse to both her and Love. The band was picked to take part in the 1993 Lollapalooza tour. While the band was inspirational to many performers in the Olympia, WA-based riot grrrl movement, they never participated directly, and were closer to the Minneapolis punk rock and international grunge scenes of the day. The band was the subject of the 1994 book, Babes in Toyland: The Making and Selling of a Rock and Roll Band by Neal Karlen, which dealt with the band’s signing to Warner and the recording of Fontanelle. The band also appears in the 1992 documentary, 1991: The Year Punk Broke.
The band split and reformed throughout the 1990s, losing their record label when Herman left the band in 1996. Dana Cochrane, formerly of Mickey Finn, played bass with the band during live gigs in 1996. Leon rejoined for a brief period in 1997, after which the band went into hiatus, and Bjelland and Barbero played with a new bassist, Jesse Farmer, in 2000. But a year earlier, Bjelland had formed a new band, Katastrophy Wife, which seemed to replace Babes as her main vehicle. Babes in Toyland (with Farmer on bass) played a reunion show billed as “The Last Tour” on November 21, 2001—released as a live album called Minneapolism—and this seems to be the last official Babes activity; Bjelland played some shows in Europe in 2002 as Babes in Toyland with a new drummer and bassist, but stopped using the name after Barbero and Herman raised legal issues.
Alice In Chains (profile band)
BAND MEMBERS:
Mike Star – bass, backing vocals (1987-1993)
Layne Staley – lead vocals (1987–2002) (deceased)
Jerry Cantrell – lead guitar, vocals (1987–2002, 2005–present)
Sean Kinney – drums, percussion (1987–2002, 2005–present)
Mike Inez – bass, backing vocals (1993–2002, 2005–present)
William DuVall – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2007-present)
TOURING MUSICIANS:
Scott Olson – acoustic guitar (1996) (Unplugged performance)
Patrick Lachman – lead vocals (2005–2006)
Duff McKagan – rhythm guitar (Reunion tour)
BIOGRAPHY
Alice in Chains was one of the most influential American hard rock bands of the early ’90s. Drawing equally from the heavy riffing of metal and the gloomy strains of post-punk, the band developed a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers. They were hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands. While this dichotomy helped the group soar to multi-platinum status with their second album, 1992’s Dirt, it also divided them. Guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell always leaned toward the mainstream, while vocalist Layne Staley was fascinated with the seamy underground. Such tension drove the band toward stardom in their early years, but following Dirt, Alice in Chains suffered from near-crippling internal tensions that kept the band off the road for the remainder of the ’90s.
Formed in 1987 by Staley, guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Starr, and drummer Sean Kinney, the band was first named “Alice N’ Chainz”, and later changed to “Alice in Chains”. Combining the unique voice and intense delivery of Staley with the evocative songwriting and vocal harmonies of Cantrell, Alice in Chains created an immediately identifiable sound that also proved to be quite versatile as their repertoire grew to include both driving, angry rock songs and mellow acoustic compositions. The unique vocal harmonies of Staley and Cantrell included overlapping passages, and dual lead vocals. Alyssa Burrows said the band’s distinctive sound “came from Staley’s vocal style and his lyrics dealing with personal struggles and addiction”. Staley’s songs were often considered “dark”, with themes such as drug abuse, depression, and suicide, while Cantrell’s lyrics dealt more with personal relationships.
Although Alice in Chains has been labelled grunge, alternative rock, and hard rock, Jerry Cantrell identifies the band as primarily heavy metal. He told Guitar World in 1996; “We’re a lot of different things… I don’t quite know what the mixture is, but there’s definitely metal, blues, rock and roll, maybe a touch of punk. The metal part will never leave, and I never want it to”. Alice in Chains has cited musical influences such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica.
Jerry Cantrell’s guitar style combines what Stephen Erlewine of All Music Guide called “pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures” to create “slow, brooding minor-key grinds”. While down-tuned distorted guitars mixed with Staley’s distinctive “snarl-to-a-scream” vocals appealed to heavy metal fans, the band also had “a sense of melody that was undeniable,” which introduced Alice in Chains to a much wider pop audience outside of the heavy metal underground.
The band found commercial and artistic success in the early 90’s, primarily through the release of Dirt which also highlighted Staley’s increasingly apparent addiction to heroin. The band appeared on the successful lollapalooza tour in 1993 and released the Jar of Flies EP in 1994, but often found its attempts to follow up success in the studio or on the road to be hampered by Staley’s erratic, drug-fuelled behaviour. Former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Mike Inez came to replace Starr and the band would eventually record a third studio LP as well as a performance of MTV Unplugged. Ultimately, however, Alice in Chains would fail to maintain a consistent career in the post-grunge music world and limped into hiatus when Cantrell turned his attention to solo projects (which often included contributions from Kinney and Inez). Staley finally succumbed to his affliction when he overdosed in April 2002.
Although Alice in Chains never officially disbanded, Staley became a recluse, rarely leaving his Seattle condominium following the death of his fiancée in 1996, due to bacterial endocarditis. “Drugs worked for me for years”, Staley told Rolling Stone in 1996, “and now they’re turning against me, now I’m walking through hell”. In 1998, Staley reunited with Alice in Chains to record two new songs, “Get Born Again” and “Died”. Originally written for Cantrell’s solo album, the songs were released in the fall of 1999 on box set, Music Bank. The set contains 48 songs, including rarities, demos, and previous album tracks. The band also released a 15-track compilation titled Nothing Safe: Best of the Box, serving as a sampler for Music Bank, as well as the band’s first greatest hits compilation. The band’s last official releases include a live album, simply titled Live, released on December 5, 2000, and a second greatest hits compilation, titled Greatest Hits in 2001.
After a decade battling drug addiction, Layne Staley was found dead in his condominium on April 19, 2002. An autopsy revealed Staley died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine 14 days previously. In his last interview, which was given months before his death, Staley admitted, “I know I’m near death, I did crack and heroin for years. I never wanted to end my life this way”. Cantrell, shaken by the death of his friend and band mate, dedicated his 2002 solo album, Degradation Trip, to Staley.
Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez and Sean Kinney reformed and played shows in late 2005 and early 2006 with a variety of guest vocalists, including Billy Corgan, Pat Lachman, Wes Scantlin, Maynard James Keenan, Ann Wilson and Phil Anselmo. For their European and U.S. tours of mid-late 2006, William Duvall (Comes With the Fall) performed lead vocals.
Vocalist for Comes With the Fall, William DuVall, joined Alice in Chains as lead singer during the band’s reunion concerts. Velvet Revolver and ex-Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan also joined the band for the reunion tour, playing rhythm guitar on selected songs. Before the tour, Kinney mentioned in an interview that he would be interested in writing new material, but not as Alice in Chains. However, AliceinChains.com reported that the band has begun writing new material, with DuVall on lead vocals. The band members plan to release their first studio album since 1995 by the end of 2008.
Alice in Chains has sold more than ten million albums in the United States, released two number-one albums and 19 top 40 singles, and has received six Grammy nominations. The band was ranked number 34 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Alice in Chains has had a large impact on many bands, such as Godsmack, who, according to Jon Wiederhorn of MTV, “have sonically followed Alice in Chains’ lead while adding their own distinctive edge”. Godsmack singer Sully Erna has also cited Layne Staley as his primary influence. Staind has covered Alice in Chains’ song “Nutshell” live, which appears on the compilation The Singles: 1996-2006, and also wrote a song entitled “Layne”, in Staley’s dedication, on the album 14 Shades of Grey. Other bands that have been inspired by Alice in Chains include Taproot, Puddle of Mudd, Smile Empty Soul, Creed, Nickelback, Cold and Tantric. Metallica, who originally influenced Alice in Chains, in turn said they always wanted to tour with the band, citing Alice in Chains as a major influence on the vocal melodies for Metallica’s eighth studio album St. Anger.
Mike Star – bass, backing vocals (1987-1993)
Layne Staley – lead vocals (1987–2002) (deceased)
Jerry Cantrell – lead guitar, vocals (1987–2002, 2005–present)
Sean Kinney – drums, percussion (1987–2002, 2005–present)
Mike Inez – bass, backing vocals (1993–2002, 2005–present)
William DuVall – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2007-present)
TOURING MUSICIANS:
Scott Olson – acoustic guitar (1996) (Unplugged performance)
Patrick Lachman – lead vocals (2005–2006)
Duff McKagan – rhythm guitar (Reunion tour)
BIOGRAPHY
Alice in Chains was one of the most influential American hard rock bands of the early ’90s. Drawing equally from the heavy riffing of metal and the gloomy strains of post-punk, the band developed a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers. They were hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands. While this dichotomy helped the group soar to multi-platinum status with their second album, 1992’s Dirt, it also divided them. Guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell always leaned toward the mainstream, while vocalist Layne Staley was fascinated with the seamy underground. Such tension drove the band toward stardom in their early years, but following Dirt, Alice in Chains suffered from near-crippling internal tensions that kept the band off the road for the remainder of the ’90s.
Formed in 1987 by Staley, guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Starr, and drummer Sean Kinney, the band was first named “Alice N’ Chainz”, and later changed to “Alice in Chains”. Combining the unique voice and intense delivery of Staley with the evocative songwriting and vocal harmonies of Cantrell, Alice in Chains created an immediately identifiable sound that also proved to be quite versatile as their repertoire grew to include both driving, angry rock songs and mellow acoustic compositions. The unique vocal harmonies of Staley and Cantrell included overlapping passages, and dual lead vocals. Alyssa Burrows said the band’s distinctive sound “came from Staley’s vocal style and his lyrics dealing with personal struggles and addiction”. Staley’s songs were often considered “dark”, with themes such as drug abuse, depression, and suicide, while Cantrell’s lyrics dealt more with personal relationships.
Although Alice in Chains has been labelled grunge, alternative rock, and hard rock, Jerry Cantrell identifies the band as primarily heavy metal. He told Guitar World in 1996; “We’re a lot of different things… I don’t quite know what the mixture is, but there’s definitely metal, blues, rock and roll, maybe a touch of punk. The metal part will never leave, and I never want it to”. Alice in Chains has cited musical influences such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica.
Jerry Cantrell’s guitar style combines what Stephen Erlewine of All Music Guide called “pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures” to create “slow, brooding minor-key grinds”. While down-tuned distorted guitars mixed with Staley’s distinctive “snarl-to-a-scream” vocals appealed to heavy metal fans, the band also had “a sense of melody that was undeniable,” which introduced Alice in Chains to a much wider pop audience outside of the heavy metal underground.
The band found commercial and artistic success in the early 90’s, primarily through the release of Dirt which also highlighted Staley’s increasingly apparent addiction to heroin. The band appeared on the successful lollapalooza tour in 1993 and released the Jar of Flies EP in 1994, but often found its attempts to follow up success in the studio or on the road to be hampered by Staley’s erratic, drug-fuelled behaviour. Former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Mike Inez came to replace Starr and the band would eventually record a third studio LP as well as a performance of MTV Unplugged. Ultimately, however, Alice in Chains would fail to maintain a consistent career in the post-grunge music world and limped into hiatus when Cantrell turned his attention to solo projects (which often included contributions from Kinney and Inez). Staley finally succumbed to his affliction when he overdosed in April 2002.
Although Alice in Chains never officially disbanded, Staley became a recluse, rarely leaving his Seattle condominium following the death of his fiancée in 1996, due to bacterial endocarditis. “Drugs worked for me for years”, Staley told Rolling Stone in 1996, “and now they’re turning against me, now I’m walking through hell”. In 1998, Staley reunited with Alice in Chains to record two new songs, “Get Born Again” and “Died”. Originally written for Cantrell’s solo album, the songs were released in the fall of 1999 on box set, Music Bank. The set contains 48 songs, including rarities, demos, and previous album tracks. The band also released a 15-track compilation titled Nothing Safe: Best of the Box, serving as a sampler for Music Bank, as well as the band’s first greatest hits compilation. The band’s last official releases include a live album, simply titled Live, released on December 5, 2000, and a second greatest hits compilation, titled Greatest Hits in 2001.
After a decade battling drug addiction, Layne Staley was found dead in his condominium on April 19, 2002. An autopsy revealed Staley died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine 14 days previously. In his last interview, which was given months before his death, Staley admitted, “I know I’m near death, I did crack and heroin for years. I never wanted to end my life this way”. Cantrell, shaken by the death of his friend and band mate, dedicated his 2002 solo album, Degradation Trip, to Staley.
Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez and Sean Kinney reformed and played shows in late 2005 and early 2006 with a variety of guest vocalists, including Billy Corgan, Pat Lachman, Wes Scantlin, Maynard James Keenan, Ann Wilson and Phil Anselmo. For their European and U.S. tours of mid-late 2006, William Duvall (Comes With the Fall) performed lead vocals.
Vocalist for Comes With the Fall, William DuVall, joined Alice in Chains as lead singer during the band’s reunion concerts. Velvet Revolver and ex-Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan also joined the band for the reunion tour, playing rhythm guitar on selected songs. Before the tour, Kinney mentioned in an interview that he would be interested in writing new material, but not as Alice in Chains. However, AliceinChains.com reported that the band has begun writing new material, with DuVall on lead vocals. The band members plan to release their first studio album since 1995 by the end of 2008.
Alice in Chains has sold more than ten million albums in the United States, released two number-one albums and 19 top 40 singles, and has received six Grammy nominations. The band was ranked number 34 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Alice in Chains has had a large impact on many bands, such as Godsmack, who, according to Jon Wiederhorn of MTV, “have sonically followed Alice in Chains’ lead while adding their own distinctive edge”. Godsmack singer Sully Erna has also cited Layne Staley as his primary influence. Staind has covered Alice in Chains’ song “Nutshell” live, which appears on the compilation The Singles: 1996-2006, and also wrote a song entitled “Layne”, in Staley’s dedication, on the album 14 Shades of Grey. Other bands that have been inspired by Alice in Chains include Taproot, Puddle of Mudd, Smile Empty Soul, Creed, Nickelback, Cold and Tantric. Metallica, who originally influenced Alice in Chains, in turn said they always wanted to tour with the band, citing Alice in Chains as a major influence on the vocal melodies for Metallica’s eighth studio album St. Anger.
