Alice in Chains w/ Shooter Jennings
Uptown Amphitheatre
April 20, 2010
The Deal: Reformed Alice in Chains finds new life with singer William DuVall; rips through nearly two-hour set for drenched, energetic crowd.
The Good: The show opened with a 30-minute set by Shooter Jennings, who will be back in town on April 24 for a show at the Visulite Theatre. His set focused on his new album, which takes more of a darker, ’70s rock tone than his previous country rock style.
Sure, not too long ago, lots of people were upset that the Alice in Chains show at The Fillmore was canceled due to guitarist Jerry Cantrell’s illness, but the band came back and made all those in attendance forget about that night in quick fashion. The band started the night behind a white curtain as the opening notes of “All Secrets Known” rang out. (Before that, an announcer came out with cops and a megaphone in the style of the last show, but instead of canceling, he apologized that the show would still go on. insert laughter here)
Right off the bat, DuVall showed that he wasn’t trying to be former singer Layne Staley, instead using his own style and guitar playing to set him self apart. DuVall has a smoother vocal tone than Staley’s haunting rasp, but it’s a seamless pairing with Cantrell — their guitar work went well together, too.
All band members could be seen smiling and enjoying the night as they rotated microphone stands often in order to make best use of the stage — and instead of just standing in one spot. DuVall and Cantrell often made their way to the front of the stage to get closer to the crowd and usher in bigger applause.
The band’s new songs fit in nicely with the old stuff and the group played a great variety throughout the night. Songs like “It Ain’t Like That” and “Got Me Wrong” worked well with more obscure songs like “Rotten Apple,” and against newer material from the band’s recent release, Black Gives Way to Blue.
The Bad: There was a slow and steady rain for the duration of the show, but I don’t think many people cared.
The Verdict: Sure, there’s something missing when it comes to Staley’s haunting vocals and presence, but that’s not to take anything away from DuVall who is a great fit. Having seen the original Alice in Chains with Staley, Cantrell’s solo band and the new version of the band, I’d say this is the next best thing to the original. Let’s hope the new version isn’t just a one-off and they continue for years to come.
AIC Setlist
All Secrets Known
It Ain’t Like That
Again
Check My Brain
Them Bones
Dam That River
Rain When I Die
Your Decision
Got Me Wrong
We Die Young
A Looking In View
Rotten Apple
Sickman
Grind
No Excuses
Angry Chair
Man in the Box
Encore
Would?
Rooster
This article appears in Apr 20-26, 2010.
