Alice in Chains @ Braehead Arena, Glasgow (23rd May 2019)
with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
I'll start this review off by pointing out my hopeful avoidance of any bias towards the main band of this review. Safe to say, Alice in Chains have definitely had quite an impact on my life, being one of the few bands that made me want to give the whole music thing a try myself. Jerry Cantrell specifically has been the person that inspired me to pick up an instrument and not give up, and Alice songs have been among the first I learned how to play. With that said, I'm also as hopeful in the idea that this review should do justice to a gig I'll no doubt remember for years to come.
The gig took place in Glasgow's Braehead Arena venue, a converted ice-rink inside the Braehead Shopping Centre- admittedly a very odd choice of venue for the evening, as most of the audience I imagine would agree. Personally speaking, it was a bit of a juxtaposition to get to see one of the great bands that dominated the darker, mood-driven alt-rock/grunge scene of the 90s playing only a short distance away from someone undoubtedly returning shoes to Next or similar. But I digress. All environmental oddities aside, the venue had a surprisingly good quality of sound all round providing a somewhat unique rawness you wouldn't normally find in a purpose-built venue, a pleasant surprise to myself but one I can imagine most fans would be happy with.
The first band on was Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (also known as B.R.M.C), who were the main support band for Alice on this tour. Coming from San Francisco, California, the alt-rock trio blues it up with their trademark hollow-body goodness, with their popular hits such as 'Beat the Devil's Tattoo' and 'Spread Your Love'.
For a 3-piece band, the amount of versatility and musical range among the members (as well as their comfortable on-stage professionalism) is all a pleasure to watch. Bassist and vocalist Robert Levon Been occasionally switches from bass to acoustic guitar while taking on lead vocals for a few songs; guitarist and vocalist Peter Hayes equips a harmonica for the last few songs when passing over vocal duties, and drummer Leah Shapiro struts her stuff on the kit flawlessly. If you're into some good straight-forward hard rock and blues, B.R.M.C will no doubt be right up your street.
After a mid-length break, eagerly-anticipated headliners Alice in Chains then took to the stage, looking as effortlessly cool as ever. Jerry Cantrell appears adorned in a kilt, very fittingly enough and reminiscent to the band's previous appearance in Glasgow back in 2013 (this in itself gets many a cheer from the crowd and has the fans talking in excitement). The band kick off with 'Bleed the Freak' from debut album Facelift, definitely an unexpected surprise to begin a set with such an early classic but without a doubt a welcome one at that. So things were already off to a great start.
The band power through a jam-packed setlist with all the classic and recent hits that helped make them the rock giants they are today, as well as some new material from their latest studio effort Rainier Fog (see the RWEI review for that album here if you want!). This is an album that is almost like a love letter to Seattle and its legendary music scene, honouring fallen heroes such as Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, and of course the late but great former Alice band members Layne Staley and Mike Starr. Both of whom would no doubt approve of the band's efforts today. At this point in time, William Duvall has been the band's frontman for just over a decade, and appears to be comfortable with the earlier material more than ever, never not moving and always appearing to be enjoying the show immensely during every song.
Occasionally the band members switch things up by changing position on stage, giving everyone in the audience an equal chance at getting to look up to the masters at work and show their appreciation. Duvall smiles and encourages the fans, while Cantrell approvingly takes in the view himself, not once needing to look at his guitar. Bassist Mike Inez never falters with his always-impressive bass playing, and of course drummer Sean Kinney is a force of nature in his own right, never missing a beat and giving it everything.
As well as the back-to-back hits, the band also pepper the set with some new tunes from their latest album, such as the undeniably fun rocker 'Never Fade', the doom-laden 'Red Giant', as well as the album's title track itself. Popular hits from the previous new-era albums fortunately also make a welcome appearance, such as the note-bendingly excellent 'Check My Brain', the huge-sounding 'Hollow' and the unbelievably sludgy 'Stone'. The latter of which was interspersed mid-way with a quick moment or two of crowd interaction in anticipation for an already heavy song about to get even heavier; in which the band did not disappoint.
After a few more classic cuts, 'Angry Chair' gives way seamlessly to grunge anthem 'Man in the Box', with the entire crowd going full force into headbanging mode as Cantrell churns out undoubtedly one of the greatest and catchiest rock riffs of the 90s. Being their biggest song, you'd think this would be the end of the evening. But the band then return on-stage with a more-than-generous encore of Rainier Fog's foot-stomping lead single 'The One You Know', classic EP track 'Got Me Wrong', the heart-breakingly timeless 'Would?' and of course 'Rooster'. This song is without a doubt one of the most powerful songs in Alice's extensive back-catalogue, so an appropriate way to round things off.
In this day and age, the energy of these guys at this point in time would put most young bands out there to shame. In times like these, it's only a good thing that bands like Alice are still around, still able to show off what made the 90s music scene so special, as they certainly don't write them like this anymore. If you ever get the opportunity to see Alice in Chains, you'll be sure not to regret it.
Words: Ray Mondo
I'll start this review off by pointing out my hopeful avoidance of any bias towards the main band of this review. Safe to say, Alice in Chains have definitely had quite an impact on my life, being one of the few bands that made me want to give the whole music thing a try myself. Jerry Cantrell specifically has been the person that inspired me to pick up an instrument and not give up, and Alice songs have been among the first I learned how to play. With that said, I'm also as hopeful in the idea that this review should do justice to a gig I'll no doubt remember for years to come.
The gig took place in Glasgow's Braehead Arena venue, a converted ice-rink inside the Braehead Shopping Centre- admittedly a very odd choice of venue for the evening, as most of the audience I imagine would agree. Personally speaking, it was a bit of a juxtaposition to get to see one of the great bands that dominated the darker, mood-driven alt-rock/grunge scene of the 90s playing only a short distance away from someone undoubtedly returning shoes to Next or similar. But I digress. All environmental oddities aside, the venue had a surprisingly good quality of sound all round providing a somewhat unique rawness you wouldn't normally find in a purpose-built venue, a pleasant surprise to myself but one I can imagine most fans would be happy with.
___________________
For a 3-piece band, the amount of versatility and musical range among the members (as well as their comfortable on-stage professionalism) is all a pleasure to watch. Bassist and vocalist Robert Levon Been occasionally switches from bass to acoustic guitar while taking on lead vocals for a few songs; guitarist and vocalist Peter Hayes equips a harmonica for the last few songs when passing over vocal duties, and drummer Leah Shapiro struts her stuff on the kit flawlessly. If you're into some good straight-forward hard rock and blues, B.R.M.C will no doubt be right up your street.
___________________
After a mid-length break, eagerly-anticipated headliners Alice in Chains then took to the stage, looking as effortlessly cool as ever. Jerry Cantrell appears adorned in a kilt, very fittingly enough and reminiscent to the band's previous appearance in Glasgow back in 2013 (this in itself gets many a cheer from the crowd and has the fans talking in excitement). The band kick off with 'Bleed the Freak' from debut album Facelift, definitely an unexpected surprise to begin a set with such an early classic but without a doubt a welcome one at that. So things were already off to a great start.
The band power through a jam-packed setlist with all the classic and recent hits that helped make them the rock giants they are today, as well as some new material from their latest studio effort Rainier Fog (see the RWEI review for that album here if you want!). This is an album that is almost like a love letter to Seattle and its legendary music scene, honouring fallen heroes such as Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, and of course the late but great former Alice band members Layne Staley and Mike Starr. Both of whom would no doubt approve of the band's efforts today. At this point in time, William Duvall has been the band's frontman for just over a decade, and appears to be comfortable with the earlier material more than ever, never not moving and always appearing to be enjoying the show immensely during every song.
Occasionally the band members switch things up by changing position on stage, giving everyone in the audience an equal chance at getting to look up to the masters at work and show their appreciation. Duvall smiles and encourages the fans, while Cantrell approvingly takes in the view himself, not once needing to look at his guitar. Bassist Mike Inez never falters with his always-impressive bass playing, and of course drummer Sean Kinney is a force of nature in his own right, never missing a beat and giving it everything.
As well as the back-to-back hits, the band also pepper the set with some new tunes from their latest album, such as the undeniably fun rocker 'Never Fade', the doom-laden 'Red Giant', as well as the album's title track itself. Popular hits from the previous new-era albums fortunately also make a welcome appearance, such as the note-bendingly excellent 'Check My Brain', the huge-sounding 'Hollow' and the unbelievably sludgy 'Stone'. The latter of which was interspersed mid-way with a quick moment or two of crowd interaction in anticipation for an already heavy song about to get even heavier; in which the band did not disappoint.
After a few more classic cuts, 'Angry Chair' gives way seamlessly to grunge anthem 'Man in the Box', with the entire crowd going full force into headbanging mode as Cantrell churns out undoubtedly one of the greatest and catchiest rock riffs of the 90s. Being their biggest song, you'd think this would be the end of the evening. But the band then return on-stage with a more-than-generous encore of Rainier Fog's foot-stomping lead single 'The One You Know', classic EP track 'Got Me Wrong', the heart-breakingly timeless 'Would?' and of course 'Rooster'. This song is without a doubt one of the most powerful songs in Alice's extensive back-catalogue, so an appropriate way to round things off.
In this day and age, the energy of these guys at this point in time would put most young bands out there to shame. In times like these, it's only a good thing that bands like Alice are still around, still able to show off what made the 90s music scene so special, as they certainly don't write them like this anymore. If you ever get the opportunity to see Alice in Chains, you'll be sure not to regret it.
___________________
Thanks to Ray for writing up this review, and thanks to you for reading! Please leave a comment below, check out/follow RWEI over on the socials or get in touch if you would like to contribute or make a submission. Cheers!
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