Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell shared insights about his vocal evolution in a recent interview with American Musical Supply. Layne Staley’s encouragement helped shape the band’s signature two-vocalist approach.
“I mean, standing next to Layne Staley, I don’t really need to be singing too much. That guy’s pretty bada**. So I was very happy just to be a songwriter and pipe up on some backups once in a while,” Cantrell recalled.
“But he gave me some encouragement early on, like, ‘You write a lot of this sh*t. And I love this stuff. Don’t get me wrong, what I’m saying to you, ’cause I love it and I love singing it,'” he continued. “‘But a lot of this stuff’s really personal to you. So you should sing a few of these.'”
Cantrell described his first lead vocal performance: “I started doing stuff on like the acoustic EP, on ‘Sap.’ It was the first time I took a lead. I just kind of built from there and kept doing more and more.”
This revelation highlights the unique dynamic that shaped Alice In Chains’ distinctive sound. Historical context provides deeper insight into their collaborative journey.
The Origins Of Dual Vocals
Research from Diffuser.fm reveals Cantrell’s choir background shaped his musical approach. His appreciation for multi-vocalist bands like Kiss, The Who, and The Beatles influenced his harmonies with Staley.
Their combined voices became Alice In Chains’ defining characteristic. The vocalists developed a natural method of complementing each other’s parts through intricate harmonies.
Breakthrough Moments
Coverage from 96.3 The Blaze highlights a crucial milestone. The ‘Sap’ EP featured Cantrell’s first lead vocal on ‘Brother.’ He also shared vocal duties with Staley on ‘Got Me Wrong.’
This period marked a significant step in Cantrell’s vocal development. Staley’s ongoing support boosted his confidence as a singer.
Legacy And Continuation
Blabbermouth documents how Cantrell preserved the band’s vocal approach after Staley’s passing. He maintained this tradition with new vocalist William DuVall.
The vocal blueprint established during the Staley era remains intact. Cantrell and DuVall continue the distinctive vocal dynamic that defines Alice In Chains.
