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MAY
" I’m counting the minutes..."
I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. I began listening to AiC in early '90s. I soon became addicted to their music and learned how to play and sing their tunes. Finding any western music record in Iran is a big hassle and if the police catch you, they raid your house, destroy all you have and you end up in jail. I was so lucky not to get caught and also was able to immigrate to Vancouver, Canada on April 5, 2002, ironically the same day that Layne Staley was found dead in his apartment. When I heard the news, all my dreams of seeing AIC playing live disappeared in a second. I was finally in Vancouver; just a couple of hours from Seattle but it was too late.
In 2004, I arranged a trio band and we had a tribute show to Layne Staley at Vancouver Community College where I study music. We lit up candles and performed four tunes from AiC unplugged album. The audience liked it so much and wanted to know more about the band.
As soon as I heard that Jerry, Sean and Mike are back to reform AIC and planning to tour, I became so excited. I’m counting the minutes until I see you guys at Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver.
Andy
"Every album that AiC has ever put out has been top notch."
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 1990. I was 19 years old. I heard the opening guitar riff of "We Die Young" and all I could do was sit and stare ate the radio in awe. This sound coming from my speakers grabbed me and shook me mercilessly. I immediately turned my head and all I could do was just stare at the radio wondering who this band was. This was brilliant! I then heard the voice of one of the most unique and entertaining lead singers ever to grace the radio waves. The voice of the legendary Layne Staley was fresh, rebellious and just like the music, nothing short of brilliant. Personally, I had never heard anything like this before and have not heard anything like it since. This band who I came to find out was called "Alice in Chains" was to become, in my eyes, the best band to come out in that decade and one of the best bands in music history. Some bands come and go. Some bands put out a couple of good albums and then the music's quality declines. Every album that AiC has ever put out has been top notch. It is not difficult to notice that the band refused to settle for anything less than the best from each and every member. The band recorded material that was diverse and against the grain. The band took every risk imagineable and came out on top every time. This is what music legends are made of and Alice in Chains are music legends in every sense of the word.
To the guys in the band, I want to say thank you for everything you have done. I have had the opportunity to see you on several occasions and each and every show was nothing short of amazing. You inspire musicians and listeners each and every day and will continue to for years and years to come. I am only one of the many Alice in Chains fans out there, but I know that I speak for them all when I say "Thank You" and "We Love You."
Sincerely,
Monte
"... this most powerful remembrance of home had to be bought."
The name itself evokes so many great images. Yesterday I bought the AIC Unplugged DVD. It was not my intention. My intention was to return a DVD about WWII and get money back. I saw the DVD. I had to have it. I study in Heidelberg, Germany and this most powerful remembrance of home had to be bought. As I sat back in my small apartment amongst students from all over Europe and what's more, the entire world, I felt like I was transported back to Vancouver, WA where I was born and raised. Hearing and seeing you guys play these songs was awesome.
I am neither a poet nor am I a lyricist. I can not write something that will catch your attention due to the interplay between word and mind.I don't want a picture of Jerry, but I want you guys to know how much your music means to me. I can't think of any other music that instantly evokes such vivid memories in my mind. It's as good as a smell that reminds one of some forgotten memory.
Sincerely,
Dustin 
"...when I listen to Alice in Chains I am 18 all over again."
I saw Alice in Chains perform at the Metro in Chicago last night and it was fucking awesome. Can I swear in this letter? I hope so, because simply awesome doesn't cut it. It was my first Alice show. Though I spent high school, college and beyond listening to their music, I always thought that Layne Staley would kick drugs and there would be plenty of time to see this musical enigma in concert. So, I am feeling lucky to have seen them at all, much less in an intimate venue like the Metro. And, William Duvall was great.
I want, like so many others, to thank Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney and Mike Inez for getting together and touring again. Their music is important and, in this life, so few people have the opportunity, forget the talent and energy, to do something truly important. My husband and I were lamenting the crap that has saturated the rock industry and we're both hoping that a band with substance like Alice in Chains will create more music.
Despite some sound troubles, they were having a great time on stage at the Metro and it was as if they hadn't skipped a beat. There is such a history with these guys and you could see it in their faces - being up there together was a tap into youth. For me, that is what their music does. Even though I am married, an account executive at an ad agency and the mother of a little boy, when I listen to Alice in Chains I am 18 all over again. I don't have a care in the world and I am rocking out in my bedroom to the best band around.
All the best,
Nina
