Alice in Chains (28 May 1996)

Alice in Chains perform an accoustic concert as part of the MTV Unplugged series.

Director:

Joe Perota

Writers:

Jim Burns (creator), Robert Small (creator)

Stars:

Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, Sean Kinney

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Jerry Cantrell	...	Himself - Guitar and Vocals
Mike Inez	...	Himself - Bass
Sean Kinney	...	Himself - Drums
Layne Staley	...	Himself - Vocals
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alice in Chains	...	Themselves
Scott Olson	...	Himself - Guitar (as Scotty Olsson)

Storyline

In their first live concert in over 2 years (and possibly their last concert ever), Alternative/metal group Alice in Chains performs acoustically at MTV Unplugged. Includes acoustic versions of the hit songs "Got Me Wrong," "Rooster," "Would?," and "Down in a Hole."

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Plot Keywords:

rock band | live performance | concert film | rock music | rock concert

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1996 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Majestic Theater, Brooklyn Academy of Music - 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Music Television (MTV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Spoofs Friends (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Would?"
Written by Jerry Cantrell

User Reviews

Alice in Chains' now official final performance is tragic and haunting

As I'm sure many of you know, Alice in Chains' lead singer Layne Staley has finally given in to his drug addictions. When I first heard the news, my thoughts drifted to various stories I had heard about Staley's drug problems, rumors that he was recovering and that AIC was planning a reunion tour. Now he's gone and we know that there had never been any hope for him. Last night, I was surprised to find AIC's last performance, an MTV unplugged, on MTV2 (surprised because MTV has done everything short of denying that Layne is even dead to avoid mentioning him), this was the second time I'd seen it, but this time, it was after I knew of Staley's passing, and it was a completely different perspective. This was the band's first appearance in 3 years, since Layne's drug problems repeatedly derailed tours. The performance itself was fantastic, some of the unplugged songs put the versions on the album to shame, and Staley's vocals are, for the most part, pretty solid. Down in Hole, Would?, No Excuses and Over Now are all amazing. But in light of Layne's death, you can't help but watch this performance and see how far he'd fallen, even 6 years before his death. He looks terrible, he's rail-thin, barely concious, his eyes are blank, when he goes for high notes, you can see that he's really fighting to get there. When the performance ends, he can barely stand up straight as he leaves the studio. Staley went on to spend the next six years living in almost total seclusion as he sank deeper into his drug habit, but watching this, I was surprised he even lasted another year. This performance is simultaneously fantastic and painful to watch. See it to remember one of the best bands of the Seattle movement, see it to remember Layne Stayley and his fantastic voice.

10/10