Jerry Cantrell: “Fuck No, We’re Not Worried.”
Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell has insisted that the band are not worried about how people will respond to the band’s first album since the death of Layne Stayley.
Speaking to The Herald Sun, Cantrell has said:
“I don’t think there’s one of us who expected to be where we are today,” he said. “We started from a very cool place — Sean (Kinney, drums) organized a benefit in our home town to raise some money for the tsunami relief, and it was a hit. ”
“It was a pretty heavy moment, playing together for the first time since we had lost Layne (Staley, former vocalist), but it was also really cool to see our fans’ reaction — that was really inspiring. It led to the next step of us saying, ‘That was fun, why don’t we get together and just play in a room?’ ”
“So we did. And that led us to William (DuVall, current Alice In Chains vocalist), who was a friend of mine for several years. And that led to the tours, which led us to writing. And the material we were coming up with was really cool . . . so here we are today.”
“Am I worried we’re gonna fall on our face? Dirty our memory? Is that what I’m worried about?” Cantrell asked.”
“Fuck no, I’m not worried about that at all. If we didn’t believe in what we’re doing, and why we’re doing it, we wouldn’t be doing it.”
“The reasons are all pure to us, and as long as we stick to that we can’t go wrong. People will say whatever they’re going to say, but they’re not inside this band,” insists Cantrell.
“There’s no replacing Layne, and we’re not intending to replace Layne.”
“William performs the old material very well, and very respectfully — not trying to be Layne — but we don’t even feel like Will is a new lead singer of Alice In Chains.”
“There’s also myself, who’s been a big part of the vocal sound in this band with the support of Layne. Layne was really instrumental in me growing as a vocalist.”
“So we feel like we’ve added a really talented member in Will and the unit is strong, we’re growing together.”
Alice In Chains have been working on their new record with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush) since October 2008. The as-yet untitled album will be released in 2009.
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He’s damn right too not to be worried. The new album should be decent.
‘Chains are my favourite band and always will be. I never got to see them live when Layne was still with us (R.I.P. but I gotta say, DuVall impressed me when I saw them (both times) in 2006. I’m looking forward to this album even if no-one else is and I’ll see them again once they hit these shores (sometime soon, hopefully).
The shadow of Layne will loom over this, but it’s Jerry’s band. This album will sink or swim on its own merits.
I think that it’ll still be a good album, considering other bands ahem, “comeback albums” This one should kick ass! Still, no-one can hold a candle to layne!
Alice in Chains….they are one of my favourite grunge bands. Layne Staley had a great voice. I am waiting to hear the new ‘Chains album.
Duvall sucks and sounds like a whiny bitch. I’m fine with them doing another album, just don’t call it Alice In Chains…because you’re not anymore. I feel bad for Jerry, Mike and Sean in that they got fame and Layne’s addiction ended a beautiful ride too early. Jerry wrote most of the songs granted, but Layne was that X-Factor. Plain and simple.
I respect Jerry and the rest of the band, but without Layne, there is no Alice in Chains…kinda like the Doors without Morrison, it just ain’t happening
as far as im concerned cantrell is right. layne staley could hit notes unknown to most people. but cantrell backed him up in every song. together they made what most of us worship today. i only hope him and will have that same kind of chemistry