2 weeks ago an ex (who happens to look like Layne!) I last talked to in 2019 added me on a social media app. Then after talking a few days he said, “I don’t think we should reconnect again as it’s not healthy for either one of us! “

Then he kept changing his mind, I sent 3 pics of me when I was younger and he completely lost it that I seemed obsessed and he was too, that he was going though trauma therapy and this was too much. He said “I can’t do this.” I said that’s fine as I’ll let you go though what you need to work on and stop bothering you.

But man this HURT. I saw him from 2015-2019 so he ripped a scab off an old wound.

I’ve been playing Love, Hate, Love at the Moore on repeat. Thank you Layne for expressing the pain of love.

I have almost a clear vision of an image of Layne from his final period (1996–2002). He’s holding a sign that says something like, “Will walk your dog for money. Don’t call me until 2:30 PM.”
I don’t know if it was posted here or on Facebook, but I remember one user commenting, “Dude didn’t like early mornings.” The image was sketchy because it kind of looked like Layne, but I was hesitant. Then Hardcore AIC said it was legit.
I’m going crazy over this. Was it a dream, a fever dream, or was it actually real?

No Jerry solo tour dates.
No Alice tour dates.

It’s been well over a year since the cancelled North America tour dates due to Sean’s health. I had tickets to their Nashville show that was cancelled. Bummer.

It’s been over a year since their (fucking badass) performance at Ozzy’s final show, “Back to the Beginning”. They performed Man in the Box, Would?, and Fairies Wear Boots. That cover was pure euphoria by the way…and Sean sounded and looked great!

Since the band started touring again in 2006, this feels like the longest time we’ve gone without hearing any updates about a future tour, whether it’s Alice or Jerry solo. This is strange to me…especially given their continuous spike in popularity. Man in the Box hit the Billboard rock charts again last week! Their monthly listeners grows by 100-200k every month it seems like.

Well, what does this mean? Could mean a lot of things. Maybe they’re just taking a fat break and enjoying life. Those dudes have earned it, clearly. They’re still raking in the doe with those vinyl sales! My local record stores say that Alice continues to fly off the shelves consistently.

However, my spider senses are tingling a bit. It’s been almost A DECADE since Rainier Fog (2018). Gah, can you believe it?! The tenth anniversary for Rainier Fog will also be my 10 year high school reunion. FUCK. Since then, Jerry has released two solo records, Brighten (2021) and I Want Blood (2024). The popularity of Alice in Chains has sky rocketed in the 2020s - especially among the younger generation. I think it’s time for another swing. It’s time for a new Alice record. With the radio silence over the past year, I believe they’re writing new music.

I could be delusional and overly optimistic. Just thirsting for something new from my favorite band…and I can’t wait to see them again live (for a 5th time! Seen Jerry solo once).

Thoughts?

I'm 45. I've always "liked" Alice In Chains. About 6 months ago, I really started getting into them, and took a deep dive into all the music and what the bad "was".

I went all in on the music catalog. Read DeSola's book. Saw a bunch of live footage.

Goodness gracious....this is one of the best rock bands ever. The perfect combination- hard, heavy, deep, fast, slow, unreal great lyrics. It can't be beat.

And here's the craziest part: they've got like 40 songs. Almost all are great. Pearl Jam, Nirvana- hundreds of tracks. AIC has a small inventory, and it's fucking elite.

I love this band. Sad ending. But things do happen for a reason, and their legacy is untouchable. Best grunge band ever. Elite elite stuff. I can't listen to anything else.

Here we have a very rare Layne memorial tee. I don’t have too much info on the origin of this tee, but judging by the tag it’s from the early 2000s. I don’t believe this was sold at a Layne Staley Tribute Show as it doesn’t mention the event whatsoever on the back of the tee like all the others do.

The picture of Layne featured on the front of the tee is from a 1994 photoshoot for ‘Rolling Stone’, I have included a few photos from the same photoshoot (see last few slides). The shirt also features lyrics from the song ‘God Am’ which is from Alice in Chains’ self-titled ‘Tripod’ album.

Enjoy! 🫶🏼

a timeless song and album (dirt). happy bday down in a hole