Alice in Chains

by David de Sola

    3. Susan Silver, deposition transcript, April 23, 2007, obtained by the author through public records.

    4. E-mail to the author from Darren Julien. On the sale of Layne’s original artwork for the Mad Season album, see http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/memorabilia/mad-season-layne-staley-5144945-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5144945&sid=b3876a3a-2da0-469b-bbcf-2a6407ecc8a4.

    5. Adriana Rubio, Layne Staley: Angry Chair—A Look Inside the Heart and Soul of an Incredible Musician (Evansdale, Iowa: Xanadu Enterprises, 2003), 69–77, 91. On Rubio’s efforts to get an interview with a man claiming to be Jim Morrison, see Adriana Rubio, Jim Morrison: Ceremony—Exploring the Shaman Possession (Evansdale, Iowa: ARTS Publications, 2005), 124–48.

    6. David de Sola, “Setting the Alice in Chains Record Straight,” Icepicks and Nukes, December 16, 2011, http://icepicksandnukes.com/2011/12/16/setting-the-alice-in-chains-record-straight/; David de Sola, “Statement from Liz Coats,” Icepicks and Nukes, January 2, 2012, http://icepicksandnukes.com/2012/01/02/statement-from-liz-coats/; e-mail from Adriana Rubio to the author, December 16, 2011; e-mail from Liz Coats to the author, December 29, 2011.

    7. TEAS Plus application, serial number 85491584, December 9, 2011; “Motion for an Extension of Answer or Discovery or Trial Periods with Consent,” July 9, 2014—both documents were accessed electronically through uspto.gov.

    8. Silver, deposition; Chris Cornell, deposition, September 10, 2008, obtained by the author through public records; Janet George, “Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (FNFCL),” September 22, 2005, obtained by the author through public records; Susan Silver, complaint, May 18, 2007, obtained by the author through public records; Susan Silver, declaration, September 9, 2008, obtained by the author through public records; King County Superior Court records, obtained by the author.

    9. “Motion and Declaration to Appoint Arbitrators and to Strike Order to Show Cause,” July 29, 2005, obtained by the author through public records; Chris Cornell, “Declaration of Chris Cornell in Support of Motion to Enforce Property Settlement Agreement,” June 26, 2007, obtained by the author through public records; Scott Johnson and Aneehal Afzali, “Opposition to Cornell’s Motion to Enforce Property Settlement Agreement,” September 17, 2008, obtained by the author through public records.

  10. Bob Gulla, “Into the Flood Again,” Guitar One, June 2001.

  11. Fuse, “Alice in Chains Talk New Album and the Band’s Evolution,” May 30, 2013, http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2013/05/fuse-news-alice-in-chains-new-album-interview.

  12. Marc Burrows, “No Barricades: William DuVall on Hardcore, Grunge and Alice in Chains,” Drowned in Sound, November 8, 2013, http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4147119-no-barricades--william-duvall-on-hardcore-grunge-and-alice-in-chains.

  13. Randy DuTeau, “A Crackberry Interview with My Former Bandmate William ‘Kip’ DuVall, Now Lead Singer for Alice in Chains,” Metro Spirit, September 18, 2007, http://introvertedloudmouth.blogspot.com/2008/02/kip-duvall.html.

  14. Blabbermouth.net, “Archive News,” March 7, 2001, http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=21.

  15. Michael Christopher, “Degradation Trip: An Interview with Jerry Cantrell,” Popmatters.com, December 26, 2002, http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/cantrell-jerry-021226/; Joe D’Angelo, “Jerry Cantrell Perseveres in Wake of Staley’s Death,” MTV News, April 24, 2002, http://web.archive.org/web/20021001190829/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453571/20020424/story.jhtml; Leah Greenblatt, “Jerry Cantrell Delivers Bittersweet, AIC-Heavy Set at Seattle Nickelback Gig,” MTV News, May 20, 2002, http://web.archive.org/web/20020803134329/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1454099/20020520/story.jhtml.

  16. Gary Graff, “Rockers Team Up in Spys4Darwin,” ABC News, May 31, 2001, http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=104499; David Basham, “Bassist Jason Newsted Leaves Metallica,” MTV News, January 17, 2001, http://www.mtv.com/news/1438016/bassist-jason-newsted-leaves-metallica/. On Mike Inez being considered as a replacement for Newsted, see Mike Inez biography on Ampeg Web site, http://www.ampeg.com/artists/mike-inez/; Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson, with Charles R. Cross, Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll (New York: It Books, 2012), 279; letter from Sony Music Entertainment to Alice in Chains partnership and Peter Paterno, October 22, 2004, obtained by the author through public records as part of the Nancy McCallum v. Alice in Chains Partnership et al. lawsuit, which was filed in King County Superior Court on May 2, 2013.

  17. CNN, “Tsunami of 2004 Fast Facts,” http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/world/tsunami-of-2004-fast-facts/.

  18. Travis Hay, “Alice in Chains Owns Stage in Tsunami-Relief Show Full of Surprises,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 20, 2005, http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Alice-in-Chains-owns-stage-in-tsunami-relief-show-1166879.php. Full set lists of the performance are available at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-photos-from-tsunami-benefit-concert-posted-online/ and http://www.last.fm/music/Alice+in+Chains/Tsunami+Relief+Benefit+Show.

  19. Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney, interview with Voice of America, May 26, 2010, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yQ7z6TJFM.

  20. Duff McKagan, It’s So Easy and Other Lies (New York: Touchstone Books, 2011), 337–38; Alice in Chains, Black Gives Way to Blue electronic press kit (hereafter, BGWTB EPK), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYbTnLgJsE.

  21. VH1, Decades Rock Live! Web site, http://www.decadesrocklive.com/artists/mainlist.php; VH1 Classic, announcement, April 17, 2006, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vh1-classic-and-world-productions-present-all-star-line-up-for-live-television-concert-series-decades-rock-live-heart-premiering-on-vh1-classic-on-friday-may-5-at-800-pm-etpt-56413912.html.

  22. Burrows, “No Barricades.”

  23. Greg Prato, Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music (Toronto: ECW Press, 2009), 461.

  24. Burrows, “No Barricades.”

  25. BGWTB EPK.

  26. Gillian G. Gaar, “Alice in Chains Homecoming,” Seattle Weekly, February 2, 2010, http://www.seattleweekly.com/2010-02-03/music/alice-in-chains-homecoming/.

  27. McKagan, It’s So Easy, 342–43; Benny Doyle, “Songs in Their Sails,” Music, November 13, 2013, http://themusic.com.au/interviews/all/2013/11/13/alice-in-chains-william-duvall/21506/; Alice in Chains and Velvet Revolver’s 2007 tour dates can be viewed at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/velvet-revolver-alice-in-chains-more-north-american-tour-dates-announced/; BGWTB EPK; Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney, interview with Radio.com, August 26, 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSzIDVAGp5o.

  28. Bud Scoppa, “Alice in Chains,” Mix, September 1, 2009, http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/alice-in-chains-0909//index.html.

  29. “Check My Brain—The Making Of,” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zARYZk1gi7g.

  30. BGWTB EPK.

  31. Dan Snierson, “Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell and Elton John on Their ‘Black Gives Way to Blue’ Collaboration,” Entertainment Weekly, October 1, 2009; Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney, interview with Voice of America, May 26, 2010, part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yQ7z6TJFM, part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEavsV_FdfY. For information on Elton John’s background and career achievements, see Edna Gundersen, “Elton Still Standing for Gay Rights, Home, Tammy Faye,” USA Today, September 23, 2013, http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/09/23/elton-john-still-standing-for-gay-rights-family-tammy-faye-bakker/2852913/. Information that Layne used to sing Elton John songs at the Music Bank was provided by Tim Branom during an interview with the author.

  32. RIAA Gold and Platinum searchable database, http://www.billboard.com/artist/278597/alice-chains/chart?f=305; Blabbermouth.net, “Alice in Chains Drummer Compares Having New Album Illegally Downloaded to Prison Rape,” September 27, 2009, http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-drummer-compares-having-new-album-illegally-downloaded-to-prison-rape/
.

  33. Steve Baltin, “Lessons Learned with Jerry Cantrell,” Grammy.com, May 30, 2012, http://www.grammy.com/news/lessons-learned-with-jerry-cantrell; Steve Baltin, “Jerry Cantrell Gives the Dirt on Alice in Chains’ New Album,” Grammy.com, May 23, 2013, http://www.grammy.com/news/jerry-cantrell-gives-the-dirt-on-alice-in-chains-new-album.

  34. Steve Baltin, “Jerry Cantrell on New Alice in Chains Record: ‘Time to Get to Work,’” Rolling Stone, May 10, 2012, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jerry-cantrell-on-new-alice-in-chains-record-time-to-get-to-work-20120510; Steve Baltin, “Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell Honored with Stevie Ray Vaughan Award,” Rolling Stone, June 1, 2012, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-honored-with-stevie-ray-vaughan-award-20120601; Michael Moses, press release, “Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell to Be Honored at May 31st MusiCares Benefit Concert; Alice in Chains to Perform,” March 22, 2012, MusiCares Web site, http://www.grammy.org/musicares.

  35. Video of Jerry’s MusiCares acceptance speech can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zxbmq4TpIs. Regarding the tenth anniversary of Jerry’s sobriety, see Backstage with Baldy, “July 1st—Vancouver,” http://aliceinchains.umg-wp-stage.com/blog/july-1st-vancouver/.

  36. Kyle McGovern, “Alice in Chains Vow ‘The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here’ Will Be Unsurprising Yet Unique,” SPIN, February 14, 2013, http://www.spin.com/articles/alice-in-chains-new-album-title-social-media-decoder-devil-put-dinosaurs-here/; Billboard.com database.

  37. Nancy McCallum v. Alice in Chains Partnership et al. lawsuit, which was filed in King County Superior Court on May 2, 2013, obtained by the author through public records.

  38. O. Yale Lewise, Jr., and Michael D. Hunsinger, “Stipulation re the Exchange of the Disclosure of Possible Primary Witnesses,” February 26, 2014, obtained by the author through public records as part of the McCallum v. Alice in Chains lawsuit.

  39. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “Induction Process,” http://rockhall.com/inductees/induction-process/?gclid=CKq2o-ue47oCFallOgodeDcAoA.

  40. For a partial listing of Alice in Chains Grammy nominations, see http://www.grammy.com/news/hope-is-on-its-way-for-alice-in-chains. Troy L. Smith, “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs: 25 acts that should be inducted,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 17, 2013, http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2013/12/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_snu_1.html.

  41. Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney, interview with Radio.com, August 26, 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSzIDVAGp5o.

  42. Dave Kerr, “A Looking in View: Jerry Cantrell on Alice in Chains’ Legacy,” Skinny, November 13, 2013, http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/features/306328-a_looking_in_view_jerry_cantrell_alice_in_chains_legacy.

  Bibliography

  BOOKS

  Anderson, Kyle. Accidental Revolution: The Story of Grunge. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2007.

  Brandon, John. Unchained: The Story of Mike Starr and His Rise and Fall in Alice in Chains. Evansdale, Iowa: Xanadu Enterprises, 2001.

  Brown, Jake. Alice in Chains: In the Studio. Nashville: Rock n’ Roll Books, 2010.

  Cross, Charles R. Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain. New York: Hyperion Books, 2001.

  ______. Here We Are Now: The Lasting Impact of Kurt Cobain. New York: It Books, 2014.

  Fernandez, Humberto, and Therissa A. Libby. Heroin: Its History, Pharmacology, and Treatment. Center City, Minn.: Hazelden, 2011.

  Forrest, Bob, with Michael Albo. Running with Monsters: A Memoir. New York: Crown Archetype, 2013.

  Hansen, Tom. American Junkie. New York: Emergency Press, 2010.

  Henderson, Justin. Grunge Seattle. Berkeley: Roaring Forties Press, 2010.

  Jourgensen, Al, and Jon Wiederhorn. Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen. New York: Da Capo Press, 2013.

  McKagan, Duff. It’s So Easy and Other Lies. New York: Touchstone, 2011.

  McMurray, Jacob. Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind. Seattle: Fantagraphics Books, 2011.

  Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam Twenty. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011.

  Prato, Greg. Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music. Toronto: ECW Press, 2009.

  Rubio, Adriana. Layne Staley: Angry Chair—A Look Inside the Heart and Soul of an Incredible Musician. Evansdale, Iowa: Xanadu Enterprises, 2003.

  ______. Layne Staley: Get Born Again. Evansdale, Iowa: ARTS Publications, 2006.

  True, Everett. Nirvana. Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo Press, 2007.

  Wiederhorn, Jon, and Katherine Turman. Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal. New York: HarperCollins, 2013.

  Wilson, Ann, and Nancy Wilson, with Charles R. Cross. Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll. New York: It Books, 2012.

  Yarm, Mark. Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge. New York: Crown Archetype, 2011.

  ARTICLES

  Adair, Don. “Dark Dirges Mark Alice’s Local Return.” The Spokesman-Review, September 17, 1993.

  Anderson, Rick. “Smack Is Back.” Seattle Weekly, October 9, 2006. http://www.seattleweekly.com/2003-01-08/news/smack-is-back/.

  Bendel, Jenny. “A Chat with Diamond Lie.” City Heat, circa January/February 1988.

  Brand, Russell. “My Life Without Drugs.” The Guardian, March 8, 2013. http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/mar/09/russell-brand-life-without-drugs.

  ______. “Philip Seymour Hoffman Is Another Victim of Extremely Stupid Drug Laws.” The Guardian, February 6, 2014. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/06/russell-brand-philip-seymour-hoffman-drug-laws.

  Burrows, Marc. “No Barricades: William DuVall on Hardcore, Grunge and Alice in Chains.” Drowned in Sound, November 8, 2013. http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4147119-no-barricades--william-duvall-on-hardcore-grunge-and-alice-in-chains.

  Cornell, Chris. “Essence of Dreams.” October 14, 2008. http://www.myspace.com/chriscornell/blog/440829728.

  Cross, Charles R. “The Last Days of Layne Staley.” Rolling Stone, June 1, 2002.

  Darzin, Daina. “The Real Dirt.” Rolling Stone, February 24, 1994.

  ______. “Alice in Chains’ Staley Remembered by Mad Season Mate & Rage’s Morello.” Yahoo! Music, April 23, 2002. http://music.yahoo.com/alice-in-chains/news/alice-in-chains-staley-remembered-by-mad-season-mate-rages-morello—12063858.

  de Sola, David. “How Alice in Chains Found the Most Memorable Voice in Grunge.” The Atlantic, April 5, 2012. http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/04/how-alice-in-chains-found-the-most-memorable-voice-in-grunge/255469/.

  ______. “Setting the Alice in Chains Record Straight.” Icepicks and Nukes, December 16, 2011. http://icepicksandnukes.com/2011/12/16/setting-the-alice-in-chains-record-straight/.

  ______. “Statement from Liz Coats.” Icepicks and Nukes, January 2, 2012. http://icepicksandnukes.com/2012/01/02/statement-from-liz-coats/.

  Duteau, Randy. “A Crackberry Interview with My Former Bandmate William ‘Kip’ DuVall, Now Lead Singer for Alice in Chains.” Metro Spirit, September 18, 2007. http://introvertedloudmouth.blogspot.com/2008/02/kip-duvall.html.

  Fischer, Blair. “Malice in Chains?” Rolling Stone, September 4, 1998. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/malice-in-chains-19980904.

  Fridell, Brad. “Pot Case Goes to Feds; No Arrest Made Yet.” Ballard Tribune, August 24, 1988.

  Gaar, Gillian G. “Alice in Chains Homecoming.” Seattle Weekly, February 2, 2010. http://www.seattleweekly.com/2010-02-03/music/alice-in-chains-homecoming/.

  Gilbert, Jeff. “Alive: Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready Says Goodbye to Drugs and Alcohol and Is a Better Man for It.” Guitar World, April 1995.

  ______. “Rain Man: Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell Cleans Up His Act and Hits Pay Dirt.” Guitar World, January 1992.

  Gilbert, Jeff, and Andy Aledort. “Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains Discusses Songwriting and Band’s New Self-Titled Album.” Guitar World, January 1996. http://www.guitarworld.com/1
996-guitar-world-interview-jerry-cantrell-alice-chains-discusses-songwriting-and-bands-new-self-titled-album?page=0,0.

  Gill, Chris. “Dirt.” Guitar Legends, issue 117.

  Hay, Travis. “Alice in Chains Owns Stage in Tsunami-Relief Show Full of Surprises.” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 20, 2005. http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Alice-in-Chains-owns-stage-in-tsunami-relief-show-1166879.php.

  Heckman, Candice. “In Seattle Gloom, Fans Honor Staley.” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 26, 2002. http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/In-Seattle-gloom-fans-honor-Staley-1086186.php.

  Ho, Vanessa, Linda Keene, Kery Murakami, and Peyton Whitely. “‘Seattle Scene’ and Heroin Use: How Bad Is It?” The Seattle Times, April 20, 1994.

  Jacobson, Mark. “The Return of Superfly.” New York, August 14, 2000. http://nymag.com/nymag/features/3649/.

  Kaufman, Gil. “Mike Starr Mourned by Former Alice in Chains Bandmates.” MTV News, March 9, 2011. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659488/mike-starr-alice-in-chains-death.jhtml.

  MacDonald, Patrick. “‘Dry’ Club Hopes That Music, Films Will Keep Place Afloat.” The Seattle Times, July 29, 1983.

  ______. “Established Acts Take Big Awards.” The Seattle Times, March 4, 1991.

  ______. “Internet Dominates Talk at Music Conference.” The Seattle Times, October 20, 1997.

  ______. “It’s a Concert for Peace at the Paramount.” The Seattle Times, February 22, 1991.

  ______. “Screaming Trees: A Band with Bark Has a New EP.” The Seattle Times, October 12, 1990.

  ______. “Seafair Will Be Making a Scene with Joey Arias.” The Seattle Times, August 4, 1989.

  ______. “Soundgarden’s History: One of Seattle’s First and Loudest Grunge Bands Calls It Quits After 12 Years of Setting the Pace for Alternative Rock.” The Seattle Times, April 10, 1997.

  ______. “Word.” The Seattle Times, December 7, 1990.

  McCready, Mike. “Mike McCready Remembers Seattle Bassist John Baker Saunders, 1954–1999.” The Rocket, January 27, 1999.