At this point, Alice in Chains’ second act has outlasted its first. The Seattle hard rock band had its first success during the ’90s grunge boom, joining fellow Seattle artists like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden in defining the sound of alternative rock. A big part of that came from vocalist Layne Staley, whose influence can still be heard on current bands. Thanks to hits like “Man in the Box,” “Rooster,” “Would?” and “No Excuses,” AIC became one of the most popular bands in America, but Staley’s personal troubles derailed the group. Staley’s last AIC performance was in 1996, and he died in 2002.
But after lying dormant for a few years, the band returned in 2005 with new singer William DuVall, who, along with guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney, has helped bring the band’s music to a new audience. The band has toured extensively since and released two new albums with DuVall, most recently 2013’s The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. Both honoring Staley’s legacy and producing successful new music, AIC has retaken its place as one of the top bands in hard rock.
The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, 8 p.m. Oct. 1, starting at $39.95 plus tax and fee. 888.929.7849
