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Alice in Chains originated in Seattle, Washington, in 1987, founded by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who soon brought in bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne Staley. They quickly distinguished themselves with a darker, heavier sound than many of their Seattle contemporaries, blending elements of grunge, heavy metal, and alternative rock. The band initially gained local attention through relentless live performances, rapidly becoming one of the key players in the Seattle music scene.
After signing with Columbia Records, Alice in Chains released their debut album, Facelift, in 1990. The album was critically acclaimed and produced their breakthrough hit single, “Man in the Box,” which introduced their gritty style to mainstream audiences. The album was certified double platinum and positioned them at the forefront of the emerging grunge movement. Following this success, the band delivered the iconic album Dirt in 1992, considered one of the most influential rock albums of its era. Dirt spawned numerous hits, including “Would?,” “Rooster,” “Them Bones,” and “Angry Chair,” further solidifying their reputation.
In total, Alice in Chains has released six studio albums: Facelift (1990), Dirt (1992), Alice in Chains (1995), Black Gives Way to Blue (2009), The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013), and Rainier Fog (2018). Despite enduring personal struggles and lineup changes, notably the tragic passing of Layne Staley in 2002 and the departure of original bassist Mike Starr, the band continued making music. William DuVall joined as the new lead vocalist in 2006, marking a respectful yet powerful new chapter.
Throughout their career, Alice in Chains amassed numerous hit singles beyond their early successes. Tracks such as “No Excuses,” “I Stay Away,” “Heaven Beside You,” and “Check My Brain” have consistently dominated rock radio, demonstrating the band’s enduring ability to resonate deeply with fans. Their powerful blend of introspective lyrics, haunting harmonies, and heavy riffs carved a distinct identity that garnered widespread respect in the rock community.
Alice in Chains has received multiple accolades for their groundbreaking music. They earned eleven Grammy nominations throughout their career, highlighting singles such as “Would?” and albums like The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. They received a prestigious MTV Video Music Award in 1993 for Best Video from a Film for “Would?” and were honored with the Founders Award by Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture in 2020, recognizing their indelible impact on music history.
Fans and critics alike revere Alice in Chains not only for their musical excellence but also for their authenticity and resilience through adversity. Their deeply personal lyrics and emotional intensity have allowed listeners to find comfort and solidarity in their music. Their unwavering dedication to their art, even amidst significant personal losses and industry pressures, has made them enduring symbols of strength and artistic integrity in rock music.
Outside their musical contributions, members of Alice in Chains have engaged significantly in philanthropic activities. Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney, in particular, have supported charitable causes like MusiCares, which provides resources for struggling musicians facing addiction and health challenges. Additionally, they’ve actively participated in benefit concerts and fundraising efforts to support mental health awareness and addiction recovery programs, demonstrating a genuine commitment to making a difference beyond their artistry.
Alice in Chains remains profoundly influential and respected, continuing to attract new fans while maintaining a passionate, loyal following built over decades. Their music has transcended generational barriers, cementing their legacy as one of the most influential bands in rock history.
Complete List Of Alice In Chains Songs From A to Z
- A Little Bitter – Live – 2000
- A Little Bitter (Remix) – Music Bank – 1999
- A Looking in View – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Acid Bubble – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Again – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Again – Live – 2000
- Again (Tattoo of Pain Mix) – Music Bank – 1999
- All I Am – Rainier Fog – 2018
- All Secrets Known – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Am I Inside – Sap – 1992
- Angry Chair – Dirt – 1992
- Angry Chair – Unplugged – 1996
- Angry Chair – Live – 2000
- Black Gives Way to Blue – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Black Gives Way to Blue (Piano Mix) – Black Gives Way to Blue (iTunes edition) – 2009
- Bleed the Freak – Facelift – 1990
- Bleed the Freak – Live – 2000
- Bleed the Freak – Live Facelift – 1991
- Bleed the Freak (1988 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- Breath on a Window – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Brother – Sap – 1992
- Brother – Unplugged – 1996
- Brother (alternate mix) – Music Bank – 1999
- Brush Away – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Check My Brain – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Choke – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Confusion – Facelift – 1990
- Dam That River – Dirt – 1992
- Dam That River – Live – 2000
- Deaf Ears Blind Eyes – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Died – Music Bank – 1999
- Dirt – Dirt – 1992
- Dirt (Drunk and Disorderly version) – Live – 2000
- Don’t Follow – Jar of Flies – 1994
- Down in a Hole – Dirt – 1992
- Down in a Hole – Unplugged – 1996
- Down in a Hole (Live) – Black Gives Way to Blue (Japanese edition) – 2009
- Drone – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Fear the Voices – Music Bank – 1999
- Fly – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Frogs – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Frogs – Unplugged – 1996
- Get Born Again – Nothing Safe: Best of the Box – 1999
- God Am – Alice in Chains – 1995
- God Am – Live – 2000
- God Smack – Dirt – 1992
- Got Me Wrong – Sap – 1992
- Got Me Wrong – Unplugged – 1996
- Grind – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Hate to Feel – Dirt – 1992
- Head Creeps – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Heaven Beside You – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Heaven Beside You – Unplugged – 1996
- Hollow – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Hung on a Hook – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- I Can’t Have You Blues (1988 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- I Can’t Remember – Facelift – 1990
- I Know Somethin (Bout You) – Facelift – 1990
- I Stay Away – Jar of Flies – 1994
- Intro (Dream Sequence)/Iron Gland – Dirt – 1992
- It Ain’t Like That – Facelift – 1990
- It Ain’t Like That – We Die Young EP – 1990
- It Ain’t Like That – Live Facelift – 1991
- Junkhead – Dirt – 1992
- Junkhead – Live – 2000
- Junkhead (1992 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- Killer Is Me – Unplugged – 1996
- Killing Yourself – We Die Young EP – 1990
- Killing Yourself (1988 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- Lab Monkey – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Last of My Kind – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Lesson Learned – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Love Song – Sap – 1992
- Love, Hate, Love – Facelift – 1990
- Love, Hate, Love – Live – 2000
- Love, Hate, Love – Live Facelift – 1991
- Low Ceiling – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Lying Season – Music Bank – 1999
- Man in the Box – Facelift – 1990
- Man in the Box – Live – 2000
- Man in the Box – Live Facelift – 1991
- Maybe – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Never Fade – Rainier Fog – 2018
- No Excuses – Jar of Flies – 1994
- No Excuses – Unplugged – 1996
- Nothin’ Song – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Nutshell – Jar of Flies – 1994
- Nutshell – Unplugged – 1996
- Over Now – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Over Now – Unplugged – 1996
- Phantom Limb – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Pretty Done – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Private Hell – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Put You Down – Facelift – 1990
- Queen of the Rodeo – Live – 2000
- Queen of the Rodeo (Live 1990) – Music Bank – 1999
- Rain When I Die – Dirt – 1992
- Rainier Fog – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Real Thing – Facelift – 1990
- Real Thing – Live Facelift – 1991
- Red Giant – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Right Turn – Sap – 1992
- Rooster – Dirt – 1992
- Rooster – Unplugged – 1996
- Rooster – Live – 2000
- Rooster (Live) – Nothing Safe: Best of the Box – 1999
- Rooster (1991 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- Rotten Apple – Jar of Flies – 1994
- Scalpel – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Sea of Sorrow – Facelift – 1990
- Sea of Sorrow – Live Facelift – 1991
- Sea of Sorrow (1988 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- Shame in You – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Sickman – Dirt – 1992
- Sludge Factory – Alice in Chains – 1995
- Sludge Factory – Unplugged – 1996
- So Close – Alice in Chains – 1995
- So Far Under – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Social Parasite (1988 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- Stone – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- Sunshine – Facelift – 1990
- Swing on This – Jar of Flies – 1994
- Take Her Out – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- The One You Know – Rainier Fog – 2018
- Them Bones – Dirt – 1992
- Them Bones – Live – 2000
- Voices – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here – 2013
- We Die Young – Facelift – 1990
- We Die Young – We Die Young EP – 1990
- We Die Young – Live Facelift – 1991
- We Die Young (Demo) – Nothing Safe: Best of the Box – 1999
- What the Hell Have I – Nothing Safe: Best of the Box – 1999
- Whatcha Gonna Do (1988 demo) – Music Bank – 1999
- Whale & Wasp – Jar of Flies – 1994
- When the Sun Rose Again – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Would? – Dirt – 1992
- Would? – Unplugged – 1996
- Would? – Live – 2000
- Your Decision – Black Gives Way to Blue – 2009
- Your Decision (Live) – Black Gives Way to Blue (iTunes edition) – 2009
Album Song Count (Running Total)
Facelift (1990): 12 songs
We Die Young EP (1990): 3 songs
Live Facelift (1991): 7 songs
Sap (1992): 5 songs
Dirt (1992): 13 songs
Jar of Flies (1994): 7 songs
Alice in Chains (1995): 12 songs
Unplugged (1996): 13 songs
Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999): 4 songs (counting only the previously unreleased tracks)
Music Bank (1999): 15 songs (counting only the previously unreleased tracks)
Live (2000): 14 songs
Black Gives Way to Blue (2009): 14 songs (including bonus tracks)
The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013): 12 songs
Rainier Fog (2018): 10 songs
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