Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell speaks in Spokane about new solo album and a day he will never forget

“Brighten”, Jerry Cantrell’s first solo album since the underrated “Degradation Trip” in 2002, is a varied old-school rock release with mostly short songs and a common thread that connects each of the nine tracks.

The co-founder of Alice in Chains called from his home south of Seattle to talk about Brighten, the influence Spokane had on Alice in Chains and where the legendary band signed a major label deal a generation ago. The chat evolves into two boys of the same age (55) who love music. We reflect on what we saw as we grew up during a rapidly evolving period in rock music on different sides of the country.

You’re more than a capable singer, but were you one of those reluctant singers, a la Metallica’s James Hetfield, and did (the late Alice in Chains frontman) Layne Staley help you become the singer you are?

I was happy to play guitar with Alice in Chains and sing as a backup. When you have a guy like Layne Staley in the band, you don’t want to compete with him. But I commend Layne for giving me the confidence to sing. I was amazed by him. I was the main writer of the band. Layne said, “Nothing against these lyrics, but they are very personal. I think you should sing it. “I thought,” You are better than me. ” He said, “You will be fine.” We have given each other trust. Layne was a unique powerhouse with a lot of empathy.

Your singing during “Brighten” is emotional and the songs get to the heart of the matter.

I was raised by a few country and blues fans, and country and blues gets right to the point. Nothing extra is required. You have to tell a story in two or three minutes and that’s it. I’ve been known to wiggle a bit during the songs, but the only long one on this album is Black Hearts and Evil Done.

This song is the lonely epic cut on “Brighten”, but it’s the most powerful of the new songs.

I get a lot of good feedback on this. “Black Hearts” is only part of the record. There are songs on this album that are harsh and aggressive and then there are things that I write that are inconspicuous.

“Brighten” stands out because so many releases have a single and four songs that sound like the featured track.

I do not understand that. I’ve never looked at it before. The albums I’ve worked on have always had songs that are different from each other. I can’t wait to play these songs in front of an audience.

You have decided to go on tour in 2022. Why did you decide not to go on tour this year?

We are all living through this unique, world changing event. It’s a new disease that likes crowds and what I do for a living is playing for crowds. I know a lot of people are on tour now, but I’m just being extra careful.

Spokane is not part of your 2022 itinerary. Could that change?

Yes. Spokane is not on the itinerary, but neither is San Francisco. After the first leg, I hope to come back and play the cities that we will miss, like Spokane.

You have a long history with Spokane. Do you remember your first show in Spokane with Alice in Chains?

Yes. One of our very first shows was in Spokane. We opened for the BulletBoys in a Spokane cafeteria. It was at a university. I remember the tables and chairs. In the early days, Alice opened up to everyone. Susan (Silver) or Kelly (Curtis) got calls and we played on a bill with each group.

Which Spokane gig is the most memorable?

It was undoubtedly when we were playing the raceway (Raceway Park, July 2, 1989). We were signed (by Columbia) that day. We opened for Great White and Tesla. The PA wasn’t even on. We played four or five songs for about 20 people. It was one of our worst gigs ever. … We had people who checked us out from the label. But the guys (from Columbia) told us they would sign us anyway (laughs). We will always remember this broadcast.

It’s always cool to see bands making a difference early in their careers. I recorded My Bloody Valentine with about 75 people in 1989 and it was like listening to the future.

Some of my favorite concert moments were seeing bands before they got big. I remember seeing Pantera in Houston early in their career and Faith No More when (singer) Chuck (Mosely) was still in the band. I remember seeing Jane’s Addiction at the Moore Theater (in Seattle) early in her career.

I saw Janes at the same time. I was reviewing a zine, B-Side, and the editor, who hated the band for no good reason, also reviewed and called them Jane’s an unprintable word.

Oh my God! I can’t tell you how much I hate that! The same thing happened to us. Our hometown rag, The Rocket, had a line over us … and they tried to stick it to us at every opportunity. One of the most satisfying things of my career has been (Rocket Editor) Charles Cross admitted that he did everything he could to kill us, but we just didn’t want to die.

Playing an active role in ruining someone’s career says a lot about you. A band may not be your favorite thing to do, but writing Janes (an unprintable word) is ridiculous (laughs). I love this band. You were so influential.

I remember reading an article connecting your band to Janes back then because you both had female nicknames.

The reason we met with (producer) Dave Jerden is because he produced Jane’s Addiction and we both had girl names!

What was it like to be in a band that was part of a noticeable change in rock and pop culture?

It felt like the good guys had won for once. We were part of this deep tapestry of creativity. It reminds me of when people say rock is dead.

They have been saying it since the moment rock ‘n’ roll was invented. It’s not dead. It’s all cyclical. But that time (1991) was amazing.

People always talk about 1991, but the seeds were sown in 1987, 1988. Check out the endless, groundbreaking albums released in 1988. Sonic Youth’s “Daydream Nation”, Public Enemys “It Takes a Nation to Hold Us Back”, Ministry’s “Stigmata”, “Life’s Too Good” by Sugarcubes and “Nothing’s Shocking” by Jane’s Addiction, to name a few. 1988 is one of the greatest years in music since so much went underground and some of it somehow slipped into the mainstream.

That’s really smart and a good point. It’s always on the move. The 80s had a lot of great music and so many great live bands.

The biggest live band of this era were your buddies Fishbone. I hung out with these people quite a bit in the late 80s and early 90s. I remember when I asked former Fishbone guitarist Kendall Jones what the next Fishbone album would sound like, he picked up his guitar and said, “Alice in Chains, Baby, Alice in Chains.”

These guys mean a lot to us. We traveled a lot with Fishbone. I learned a lot from these guys. Kendall called me last night. What they did with “Them Bones” (cover) was sick. Fishbone is such a great live band. Only a handful of bands on the planet can compete with Fishbone on stage. You don’t want to follow them.

That’s exactly what LL Cool J once told me. He said the worst mistake of his career was performing after Fishbone.

I was at this gig! They booed him off the stage after two songs! LL is cool, but that was a bad choice.

What was the first show you saw?

Black Sabbath. The Heaven and Hell Tour with Ronnie James Dio (1980). What was yours

KISS with AC / DC with Bon Scott as the opener in 1977. But the show that perhaps impressed me the most was Van Halen in 1981. After seeing that show you were forced to form a band. Can you imagine that Van Halen was there today?

It would be pretty sick.

Alice in Chains reminds me a little of Van Halen with the harmonies. Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony never got enough recognition for his backing vocals.

Anthony was sick, but Ed (guitarist Eddie Van Halen) was great too.

What’s next for Alice in Chains?

We talked about doing a couple of shows next year, but my focus is on this record, touring behind this album when I get out. But I’ll get back to you with Alice in Chains.

What are you listening to these days

Not much. I like it when it’s quiet. I make enough clubs and when I see bands I get enough clubs. But i like rock.

And Gene Simmons, who says Rock is dead, is wrong, right?

Rock is not dead. It’s all cyclical. Can’t wait for Godzilla to get out of the swamp again and mess things up. It will happen.

For more information on Jerry Cantrell, please visit jerrycantrell.com.