Seeing Alice in Chains in 2018 is definitely not something that I thought would even be a thing. After the death of Layne Staley in 2002, it just seemed that Alice in Chains was done for but in 2007, the band resurfaced strong, confident, and ready to carry with not only a new vocalist/guitarist (William DuVall) but a brand new album of material called Black Gives Way to Blue. 11 years, Alice in Chains is still going strong, touring hard, and keeping the legacy alive. For their 2018 Tour, Alice in Chains decided to hit the road with fellow Seatleites Walking Papers as their direct support. This was something I was very excited about so getting to see them along with Alice in Chains was sure to be a real fucking treat.
Kicking things off were local glam rockers Starbenders. Starbenders are one of those bands that I hear very little about around town but goddamn was I blown away by what they had to bring. Their 25 minute opening set was a perfect way to wake up the sold out Roxy Theater and prepare them for a killer night of music. Lead by Kimi Shelter on lead vox/guitars, Starbenders reminded me quite a bit of Purson only instead of being of the 60’s psych rock variety, Starbenders seemed to pull more from the 70’s glam rock of T-Rex while mixing with a sound that was very reminiscent of The Donnas. Starbenders are definitely a band that I will be keeping an eye on in the future without a doubt.
Between bands I couldn’t help but take inventory of the room. This was a really odd audience and not the audience I thought I would ever see at an Alice in Chains show. The room was full of soccer moms, sunburned dads, and lots of “just over 21” types. Hell, the crowd themselves could get their own review but I’ll digress. After some dude who looked about 10 years older than me (but probably is 10 years younger) fell on me, I backed away and he flipped over a row of seats taking out 5 women and their over priced mixed drinks. Ok, it was time for me to move and try and use this press pass to get me some place where I could actually watch the show and not get fallen on.
I secured a nice spot in the upper balcony on the side of the stage just as the house lights went down. Walking Papers walked out on stage and the crowd was typically reserved in their welcoming. I mean, after all, they were about to play to a roomful of Alice in Chains fans. Lead vocalist Jeff Angell strolled to center stage as the band kicked into “Death on the Lips” and right off the bat I was floored. Walking Papers really took ownership of the stage in a huge way but did so in the most natural of all ways. Angell’s Mick Jagger meets Jim Morrison “don’t give a fuck” swagger is every bit as captivating as the showboating “look at me” frontmen out there that fail miserably at trying to win over a crowd.
One of the things I loved about Walking Papers’ set was that they weren’t out there to try and win anyone over. They were literally out there just doing what they love and inviting any and everyone who wanted to be a part of the party to join in. Keyboardist Benjamin Anderson is a showman in his own right and he owns the keys with all the energy of a kid hopped up on way too much Kool-Aid. “I’ll Stick Around” was hands down the highlight of their short but sweet set and by the end of the set left me wanting more. While at first I didn’t think that the pairing with AIC was really that good, the line at their merch booth proved me wrong which made me very happy. Great music knows no boundaries and people who love good music definitely showed their appreciation to Walking Papers.
The last time I saw Alice in Chains was in 1993 at Lollapalooza where they sadly went on before, of all bands, Primus. That’s ok because I got an amazing performance but I had no idea that it would be the last time I would ever see this amazing band. Having seen them twice with Layne, I felt complete. In 2007, like many fans, you can imagine my resistance to the idea of Alice in Chains reunite with a new vocalist. Blind Melon had done this as well with some success and approval from the fans so I figured I would do the same as well. The problem was I just couldn’t bring myself to be open to it. Why? Because even in 1993 as broken, bruised, and scarred as Alice in Chains was, they were perfect. What made them so perfect was the pain, the brokenness, the tension, and the very openly known struggle of Layne Staley and his addiction to heroin which he would eventually succumb to.
So here I am, 25 years later and for the first time I am about to see Alice in Chains for the first time since Layne died. The opening chords of “Bleed the Freak” opened up a vortex as the crowd roared with approval and it literally gave me goosebumps. There were times I would close my eyes and feel Layne but the I would open them and see a highly and fully functional band on stage just ripping it out and giving it everything they had. The band went right into “Check My Brain” from their 2009 Black Gives Way to Blue album and it was interesting to see that song go over just as well if not better than “Bleed the Freak.” This proved that Alice in Chains is indeed back and that their fans are not just fans holding onto nostalgia. They are in it for the long haul.
Alice in Chains’ nearly two hour set featured all the classics such as “Dam That River”, “Them Bones”, and “Down In A Hole” but it was really fun to hear songs that I never got to hear live like “Again”, “Got Me Wrong” and “Heaven Beside You.” Hearing them do “Nutshell” brought a tear to my eye because it made me think of Layne and how fragile he was at this time. Alice In Chains sounded absolutely amazing and they looked amazing but there was something amiss. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but as I processed it the next day with a friend, I was finally able to figure it out. It was missing the damaged, broken, baggage that was Layne Staley. I mean that in no disrespect at all but the times I saw Alice In Chains live it was a very dark experience.
While the band was energetic on stage, you could feel the pain, feel the tension, and feel the struggle whereas this line up you don’t get any of that. What you get with this line up is a fully functional band, no baggage, no stress, but you get a band that is having the time of their lives. Mike Inez and Sean Kinney still prove to be one of the tightest rhythm sections out there and Inez looked like he was having a blast. There was lots of fun interaction between DuVall and Cantrell on stage which even had DuVall imitating Paul Stanley which was really funny to see.
I’m sure for Cantrell, Alice in Chains is a whole different experience. After all those years of seeing his best friend being eaten away, it must be nice for Jerry Cantrell and his other band mates to go on stage every night and have a good time, playing songs, and preserving the legacy of these amazing songs. With that being said, go see this band and hear these songs done with all of the respect and honor that they deserve. You will not be disappointed but if you feel a void while watching them, maybe you’ll know what it is, recognize it for not being there, and then like the band, just enjoy the fucking show!
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