The Joint at the Hard Rock on 10/25/07 was heavily
laced with pot and anticipation for the Alice In
Chains Show. As I walked out of the VIP section mid-floor, The bouncer asked me what I thought of the show. I smirked as I
heard another person say "Layne is rolling over in his grave right now!"
I went to the Hard Rock,which is the best venue in Las Vegas to see a show, to cover Alice In Chains featuring their new front
man, what's his face. Personally, everyone who reads this ezine knows my feelings on the band moving forward and playing
Layne's songs.
To be fair to the band, and in the hope of
keeping Layne's legend alive, I went to the show putting my feelings aside. By the lack of audience turn-out, the shouts
crying out for the band to "Remember Layne",
Cantrell's distance from the remaining surviving
members , and one awkwardly placed front man (if you
can even call him that), the show was one big attempt
to recapture something that can't be re-captured.
It was more than obvious the essence of the original
Alice In Chains died with Layne. The band was moving
on without an essential part, and it was evident
throughout their show. Many people from Seattle were in the crowd. A lot of them wanted to see Jerry, but still had ill will
for the new singer. As I mingled with the crowd, one lady who went to Layne's memorial made an interesting comment. Her comment
was "Cantrell is really talented, he doesn't need these guys. These guys need him like they needed Layne."
I want my readers to know I re-wrote this article
several times. Nothing I write can even match the
disgust I feel for the direction this "new" band is taking with the old Alice In Chains songs. Then again, I am partial. Layne
has been, and is, a big part of my life. I tried to look at the show through the eyes of a fan or the eyes of Jerry. One
part of me hates the band is moving on, that is probably the same part that hates the fact that Layne is gone. Another part
of me doesn't understand why I care so much about what Jerry Cantrell does with what is half of his band. Thus, I couldn't
get a review out of my pen that was committed to either side of this trivial coin.
I think I would feel better about Alice In Chains going on tour with these old songs if Jerry just did the songs, opposed
to hiring someone to "fill in" for Layne. Or if Jerry just moved on and wrote new songs while playing a few
of the past songs in tribute to Layne. I think what
bothers me most is Layne's songs were personal, not
meant to be cover tunes for aspiring musicians trying
to play in the big leagues by sitting next to Cantrell.
Layne's song were about the addiction that eventually killed him. To be up on stage trying to imitate art, in my eyes, is
disrespectful. I know in 97-98 Layne quit the band, and quit the band some more. Rock Stars have egos and with Layne and
Jerry both being front and center, there were issues. I can see Jerry moving on, but this new singer still leaves a bad taste
in the mouths of all Alice In Chains' fans. I compare the singer to loosing a child. The family moves on and remembers the
departed child. The family does't have another child and name it the same name as the passed child, then asks the new child
to mimic the departed one. Most people in the crowd agreed with me. It is best to move on, keep Alice In Chains in place,
but get new songs or ditch the new singer.
Various MySpace pages, and many of my readers, all are against this new singer and the band moving forward while playing all
of Layne's songs. There is even one movement
called "Respect for Layne" trying to get Cantrell to
respect Layne and his fans by moving forward without
a new singer. I don't think Jerry is trying to piss off his fans, or disrespect Layne. Even I don't think I can take the "Respect
for Layne" page seriously enough to sign their petition, but I am glad it is out there and getting people to talk and remeber
Layne.
I don't believe in anyway Jerry is trying to, or is, disrespectful of Layne. I believe the Alice in Chains guitarist
is simply moving forward the best he knows how. I am just sharing my difference of opinion, as well as what I felt in the
temperature of The Joint at their Las Vegas show. I will say The Hard Rock couldn't have been more
courteous to me and my staff. They were terrific, as
always! Their concert hall, The Joint, is by far the
best place to see a show in Las Vegas. It is intimate
enough that even purchasing the cheap seats gets you
within feet of the band on the main level, and without
binoculars being needed in the balcony. I highly
recommend seeing any of your favorite bands at The
Joint inside the Hardrock any day of the week. Their
sound system, staff and overall atmosphere is killer!
I am moving on with my book about Layne called "Itch", and will donate over 50% off the profits to The LA Free Clinic and
The Layne Staley Fund. I also wish nothing but the best for the surviving members of the band. Until then, I hope the band
takes my opinion with some heart and realizes that the chemistry between Layne and the rest of the band can't be dulled by
ample amount of pot in a concert hall. The Whispers amongst fans at the concert are growing louder and louder with distaste
for this so-called new Layne; I mean lead singer!
Tanya Vece
upsidedowninwonderland@yahoo.com
702-205-8924
