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 Frontman WILLIAM DUVALL takes a moment to discuss his role in Seattle grunge monoliths ALICE IN CHAINS with DAN RIDLEY.
"I think anytime you are following an act’s singer, especially one like Layne Staley, that’s an incredibly hard thing to do. They (Alice In Chains) represent the last time good guys won in rock culture. I don’t know when one could think of anything to compare to it."
We here at Rave do not envy 41 year-old William DuVall. It can be no easy task to pick up the microphone and become the new voice of one of the ‘90s most celebrated and influential groups, but we guess someone had to do it. And it may as well be someone who both has the experience and exudes the same sincerity that made the group such a genuine proposition in the first place. February will see this new Alice In Chains hit the Australian festival circuit for Soundwave 2009, and consequently you can make up your own minds if the DuVall-fronted version approaches the original. (Yes. Sometimes we like you to do that.).
"It is a very serious affair, but I have faith in who we are now and what we are doing," admits the new frontman. "The truth in it and the wisdom in it. I came to understand very quickly that there is and will be an honest, pure and beautiful way of honouring what has come before and with what we intend to do now. It’s a tricky business, but I sincerely believe we can do this and that’s what we are doing. The unity within the group is very natural. It’s undeniable. We are going to do what we do and hope that people respond to it."
Although never stating an official split, the original Seattle quintet found itself constantly inundated with periods of inactivity due largely to former vocalist Layne Staley’s battle with substance abuse, which in 2002 culminated in his death. In light of these events the band took an indefinite hiatus. 2005 saw the band re-emerge to perform numerous reunion and benefit concerts with DuVall filling in as vocalist. The band finally announced his role in an official capacity in late 2007. Confident not only of his own ability to fill the position, DuVall feels assured that his own unique pedigree (with Neon Christ and Comes With The Fall) will bring a new energy to the quintet.
"I think first and foremost, fundamentally, what I bring is a natural synergy with how they have always behaved and conducted themselves as a very well-oiled machine … a very honest and intense being," he muses. "The thing I bring that’s different is that I come from underground culture that’s happening now. Maybe I bring that street level or punk energy to it like they had back in the day. (laughs)"
This being all well and good, the true test will be how this new perspective translates into an album. For a band that has not produced a full length album in 14 years, undertaking such an enterprise cannot be anything less than daunting. DuVall is confident that the new work in question will feel natural and will be a welcomed addition the band’s legacy.
"The new music is crushing. There is certainly a lot to talk about with everything that’s happened in our lives," he says. "I think this whole thing we are doing now has evolved so naturally and so organically – much like it did for them back in the day. I think it reflects and stays true to their past and at the same time it stays true to the way I have always handled myself in the underground."
ALICE IN CHAINS play the Soundwave Festival at the RNA Showgrounds on Saturday Feb 21. Check out www.myspace.com/aliceinchains and www.soundwavefestival.com for more info.
1. Written by joel, on 19-02-2009 05:36
R.I.P. layne , , the band alice in chain wow. . the musicaians are far too good to be left alone to ponder, , bring the tunes to those who believe it will work, , dont get me wrong you never can replace layne, but but why leave the rest of the band behind, , let there be grunge  |
2. Written by Bron, on 02-03-2009 12:25
Saw the 'new' AIC at the Palais in St Kilda last Thursday. OMG they were awesome - every song totally brilliant, the pounding drums and bass, Jerry the guitar-messiah, and the lyrics that mean so much - thanks guys - can't wait for the new album to come out. From what we could hear of Will's voice, and maybe the mix wasn't good because it was hard to hear him, he did a great job - big shoes to fill. Great to hear everyone singing along to every song, what a buzz. |
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