Jerry Cantrell breaks silence on the virtual limbo of Alice In Chains and their 'new' live album

It's coming up to five years since the band from the grunge-capital Seattle, daily growing in the myth stakes, has done anything together. The new album is a collection of live performances dated 1990 (from
their hometown), 1993 (Glasgow), and. 1996 (opening the virtual limbo of for re-masked KISS). 'Alice In Chains Live' contalns 15 tracks showcasing highlights from the band's shortish but turbulent career.

Alice In Chains - comprising Layne Staley (voice), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Sean Kinney (drums) and Mike Inez (bass) - were formed at the turn of the 1990s but have spent half of their time in virtual existence. The new album comes at a time when there are renewed rumours of AiC reforming although they have neither manager nor a record label. While there was a
compilation 'Nothing Safe' released last year, the band haven't really done anything together since Spring 1996.

"Everything got on top of us," Jerry Cantrell explains. "Deadlines, schedules, pressure of success are the things that really kill rock soul; I believe that this band is in this state because of it. But I can frankly say that we stand behind everything we've done so far and have no regrets. But, the way we worked very hard and then stopped..."

"It's always the same: band records an album, then has to do the promotion, then go touring, a short break and then allover again. After you've done it a few times, there is no enthusiasm anymore, it kills creativity in bands and completely drains musicians. That's why a lot of people look for escape via drugs."

Forced vacation

Being on a forced vacation for years wasn't something that agreed with Jerry Cantrell and after a little excursion cutting a track for Jim Carey's movie 'The Cable Guy', he cut a solo 'Boggy Depot' album.

"Some different aspects of my music making," Cantrell recalls, "came through which really was fulfilling. When you work on your own you only have yourself to satisfy; when you work in a group there are always other people whose contribution comes into play. In a group it is a four-way way while solo, it is one way, your own. I've made an honest and, hopefully, interesting album and did it to satisfy myself, my curiosity, to express some thoughts..."

There was a report that errant AiC vocalist Layne would guest in one song, which, unsurprisingly, failed to occur, but it might happen for the second one, soon to be produced.

A future in chains?

The last time AiC worked together was in 1996, first for the 'Unplugged' CD and then four opening dates for re-masked Kiss. Didn't that encourage a certain member to reconsider the question of touring?

"It was really enjoyable," the amiable guitarsmith retorts, "and an honour to open for Kiss. We all are fans of theirs and it was really great to play to all these Kiss-heads! We were also received rather well. But no, none of it had changed anything for Layne who is against touring and there is nothing we can do about it. He has his reasons and we can only respect them. We sure can't fire and replace him as that wouldn't be Alice In Chains anymore."

Have they ever tried to collectively appeal to his duty to the band and its fans?

"No, because that would have the opposite effect. He especially refuses to deal with situations when he is pressurised. The only reason he did 'Unplugged' and the Kiss shows was because he felt positive about it. And there was no pressure from anybody to do it. And, even if we managed to change his mind, how long before he changed it back? Set up a tour, go into all the expense and then he turns around and says he couldn't do it?"

How often have they seen each other since those Kiss dates?

"We keep in touch and see each other often. We are still a band and talk with each other."

We'll have to keep reading between the lines then...