Jerry Cantrell on Riffs, Extreme Metal, and Seattle’s Greatest Rock Record

Did You Really Lock Yourself in a Garage to Write Songs?
Sabrina Salerno, Instagram
“Ha ha ha! That’s a bit of an exaggeration. When I write, I tend to stay in the same place, usually my house—it’s not a garage! Ha ha ha!”
Do You Write Differently for Alice In Chains and Your Solo Albums?
“Not really. Alice In Chains can create any kind of record or song we want. We’ve done Facelift, Sap, Dirt, and Jar Of Flies. If I’m working on music and the band likes it, it becomes an Alice song. My solo albums are all different too. Boggy Depot doesn’t sound like Degradation Trip.”
How Many Guitars Do You Own?
Edward Glory, Facebook
“Maybe around 100. The last guitar I got was a pink champagne sparkle Flying V from Gibson. I still buy guitars, but I’m not like Joe Bonamassa or Kirk [Hammett]. Kirk will spend hundreds of thousands on a guitar. He owns Peter Green’s guitar. Slash has some really expensive ’59 Les Pauls. The most I’ve spent? Maybe $12,000 to $15,000.”
How is Nona Weisbaum Doing?
Kirstenrhianti, Instagram
“She’s doing well and living in Scottsdale, Arizona.”
Did You Ever Get Into Extreme Metal Like Death or Black Metal?
Sam Nicholson, Facebook
“I wasn’t into it as much, but Layne was. He loved Slayer, King Diamond, and Venom. Layne liked heavier music. I leaned more toward the New Wave of British Heavy Metal—Judas Priest, for example. Layne’s favorite vocalists were King Diamond and Ian Gillan.”
What Bands Did You Listen to as a Kid?
Richard Wilson, Facebook
“The first music I connected with was country and AM pop radio in my aunt and uncle’s cars. Later, I discovered Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, the Bee Gees. Saturday Night Fever was one of my favorite albums. When I picked up the guitar, I got into Kiss, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, Van Halen, and British metal bands. I also love funk and soul—Marvin Gaye is a legend! My taste has always been diverse.”
What Riff Defines Alice In Chains?
Reigning_Ting, Instagram
“That’s tough. Man In The Box was our first major riff and remains one of our most recognized. Rooster is another, though it’s more of a progression than a riff.”
Have You Ever Gotten Tired of Playing Man In The Box?
“Once I hit the first note and hear the crowd, any tiredness disappears. If you have a song people want to hear, you play it for them. We’ve been lucky to have multiple songs like that. The challenge is deciding what to cut from the setlist. Someone’s always going to be bummed. Ha ha!”
What’s Your Favorite Seattle Album of All Time?
Thegazzolo, Instagram
“Are You Experienced. It’s Hendrix. Come on, man! He was Seattle’s first big rock icon.”
Did Singles Feel Important to the Seattle Scene at the Time?
Eddie Marshall, Facebook
“It did. Cameron Crowe was a big music fan and supporter. For him, music and film were intertwined. That movie was a ‘love letter to Seattle.’”
Would You Rather Be Remembered as a Great Songwriter or Guitarist?
Duncan Kerr, Facebook
“I think I’m in the conversation for both. I have a unique sound, and that’s what every artist wants—being recognized within a few notes.”
What Was the Band’s Reaction to Mike Inez’s ‘Friends Don’t Let Friends Get Friends Haircuts’ Joke?
Yk.Wav, Instagram
“That was when Metallica cut their hair. Maybe some hair was starting to go, so they made a wise decision. Ha ha! Mike was just having fun. Metallica laughed about it.”
Would You Ever Do a Collaboration Album with James Hetfield?
Leandro Ignacio, Facebook
“James and I have talked about it informally. I’ve jammed with him at Kirk’s place, and we’ve played guitar at his house. I’d love to write a song together. But he’s got a demanding day job, so who knows?”
Do You Think You’re Underrated as a Vocalist?
Sharon Jane Davies, Facebook
“Maybe. I’ve done it for so long, but I’m not the center stage guy. I like harmonizing. Layne loved harmonies too. Two voices together can create something even bigger.”
Have You Ever Been Asked to Score a Film?
Alan Buettel, Facebook
“I did some scoring with Michael Kamen for Last Action Hero. Alice contributed A Little Bitter and What The Hell Have I. It was fun playing along to scenes while he directed me.”
Would You Ever Record with Mike Patton?
Emil Gut, Facebook
“Oh yeah! Patton is a supreme weirdo. That’s the highest compliment.”
How Did You Meet Duff McKagan?
Astilla Dominguez, Facebook
“I think Duff remembers better than I do. While I survived the ’90s, not all of me did.”
Did Alice In Chains Try Out Famous Vocalists Before Reforming?
Adam Oakes, Facebook
“Not really. We just jammed as friends. We played with Phil Anselmo and Pat Lachman once. But I knew William DuVall from my solo band. We were already good friends.”
If I Would, Could You?
Omar Garcia, Facebook
“Obviously, I did.”
Jerry Cantrell’s latest solo album I Want Blood is available now via Double J. Catch him at Download Festival in June and at London’s Kentish Town Forum on June 17.
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