Along with Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana, Alice in Chains was a very important piece of the puzzle that made a musical genre known as grunge critical and commercial success, which emerged in the early 90's. Just like the bands mentioned at the start of this article, Alice in Chains is also a band from Seattle, Washington. Layne Staley (vocals) and Jerry Cantrell (guitars) were the ones responsible for the conception of this band in the late 80's.
Staley had a metal cover band named Alice N' Chains prior to the conception of the group. The group soon broke up and Staley joined a funk group. He then met Cantrell during the time that the former was working at a rehearsal studio in Seattle. The two had chemistry and similar ideas that led them to put up their own rehearsal studio. Then, Cantrell asked Staley to join his band Diamond Lie and he agreed. They played at bars and clubs, which increased the number of their followers and fans. After several performances, the group decided to adapt the Alice in Chains name instead of Diamond Lie.
Their performances at clubs and bars paid off, as a promoter saw their potential and gave them the opportunity to have their own demo album. The demo was entitled 'Treehouse Tapes' and was released in 1988. Then, the management team that handles grunge rock band Soundgarden had the chance of hearing the demo. The team was impressed and sent it to a Columbia Records representative. Afterwards, Alice in Chains was signed to Columbia Records in 1989.
In 1990, the band was given the opportunity to record their first EP 'We Die Young' that is used as a preview of what Alice in Chains is - the sound, the attitude, and the intensity. The single off their first EP was an instant hit especially on radio stations that play heavy music. Due to the single's popularity, Columbia Records decided to give the band their first full-length album as soon as possible.
In the same year, 'Facelift' was released. It reached #42 on Billboard's Top 200 album charts and sold 400,000 copies six months after its debut. Afterwards, their single 'Man in the Box' was included to the daily playlist of MTV, a TV channel that plays music videos of different artists from different genres. It propelled the popularity of the band to greater heights and the single made its way to different rock charts across the country. In 1992, the band launched 'Dirt,' their follow up to their successful debut. It reached the sixth spot on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple platinum. Both albums received critical acclaim and nods from many music enthusiasts and columnists.
Alice in Chains is undoubtedly one of the pillars of grunge and alternative music. To find out more about alternative rock bands you can visit my alternative music blog at http://alternativemindset.net/
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