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Below is a collection of letters sent in by people just like you.
If you want to submit a letter for this page please send it to:
. Please be aware that letters may be edited for length and clarity.
MAY
"...younger fans...not all of us are into rap or emo..."
I'm only 14, but I think you guys are kickass. I really haven't had a chance to see you guys live because of that, and it kills me. You have to tour again soon, it won't be the same without Layne, but there's not much for me to compare it to I guess, and it's better than nothing.
I'm teaching myself to play the guitar (that's not very easy for the record) and Jerry, you're my goal on it. Forget Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen, I think you're the best one out there. Really just emailing to let you guys know you've got some younger fans (at least one) and that not all of us are into that rap or emo shit. And that you have to tour so we all can see you...
Negative Creep
"...all the lyrics seemed to speak directly to me."
First of all, I want to thank you guys for your music. It has helped me through so many things, good and bad. I didn't really start listening to you guys until about 2 years ago, I know it hasn't been a very long time, but the impact the songs have made on my life will always be with me. I had heard some Alice here and there on the radio, and I always liked their sound; but, I never really gave it a second thought. When I started hanging out with a different crowd, I heard more and more Alice, we listened to it all the time. Since I live in the middle of nowhere, the most fun thing to do is drive around. The more I heard it, the more I wanted it. I went out and bought a CD, and I've listened to it so much that it doesn't work anymore. I beat the hell out of that CD! Everywhere I went I listened to it.
The next CD I got of Alice was Unplugged, and that put a whole new spin on everything for me. Instead of just jamming out to the music, I started to feel the words, and all the lyrics seemed to speak directly to me. I still feel that way, even if it is in a different aspect. I was going through some rough times then, and I was suffering though a mild depression. Now, I'm much happier, but Alice is still here with me, and nothing can replace you. I'm so excited that you guys are going on tour!!!!!! I will travel anywhere to see you, and I love you guys so much!!!!!!!!!!!! I never listened to you when I was little, I never saw you on MTV; but, I just wanted to let you know that your music and lyrics still have had an impact on me, you guys are like my second boyfriend (dont get creeped out!!!! LOL); but, you are with me, crying with me through the bad times, yelling with me when I'm angry, and laughing with me during the good times. I just wanted to tell you that you and your music means so much to me. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I watched your performance on VH1 the other day, great job guys!!!!!!!! It was AWESOME!!!
Betsy
"...thanks guys--I owe you for guitar lessons."
A friend of mine posted an interesting entry in his blog today: along with a list of five albums that changed his life, he put forth the request that others post their five life-changing albums in the "comments" section. I responded, but it took a lot of mental strain to narrow my list to just five albums--especially since every Alice iIn Chains studio album really deserves to be on that list. I wanted to put Facelift on the list, because it represents the first occurrence of music that I couldn't explain to my friends. A friend of mine had seen a piece on AIC in some indie 'zine back in 1990, and we had the local record store order the album before "Man in the Box" went into brainwash rotation. I remember calling one of our other friends and trying to describe what we were listening to: the conversation ended with, "just drive over here right now--you have to hear this." I also wanted to put Jar of Flies on my list, as it is probably my favorite AIC album. In the end, though, Dirt ended up making the final cut, because I really learned to play guitar by listening to and playing along with this album. So thanks guys--I owe you for guitar lessons. Just put it on my tab.
Regards,
John L-M
"Your music resonates within me and in the rest of your fans..."
Hi Guys!
Late last summer I received my Alice in Chains email blast and read that you were going on tour. You were able to hit Club Revolution in Ft. Lauderdale on the tour and I just wanted to say how grateful I am that you made it part of the path. Upon reading the news, I screamed. I cried, I screamed and cried! I saw the show and it was everything I knew it would be. I felt like Layne was all over the place...singing through the many hearts that had come to enjoy all that had once existed. I've lead a good life, but it was single handedly the best experience of it. Now you're going back on tour this fall and I am beside myself. I can only pray that you'll make a stop in South Florida or in Florida at all. I am so happy that you were able to see how many of us really love and appreciate what AIC was. More so, I am happy that you are all well and touring, as you should be, sharing all that you are as one of the greatest bands ever. Your music resonates within me and the rest of your fans around the country/world and I happy you know that. Can't wait to see you in Florida in the fall!
Grinding away in Florida,
Tara
"...such an honest clear message that Alice was sending me..."
The one and only time I have ever seen Alice in Chains was in Colorado when I was barely fifteen years old. It was at the Fiddler's Green Ampitheatre when Alice was opening up for Van Halen. I remember standing in line in front of this place and seeing all these crazy Christians telling me I was going to Hell. For the life of me I couldn't understand why they were saying that and why they were even there at all. Then I heard "Man in the Box", and immediately understood why they would protest. In the same token there was such an honest, clear message that Alice was sending me, concerning religion and how it's manipulative and hypocritical. One could have said that Alice gave me some sort of awakening to the real world. All the things traditionally thought to be good, that young men of America are made to believe. It was all bullshit! The basic ideas behind this music is wise and humble. Its real life, not what a small percentage of people would have us believe.
Sometime shortly thereafter, becoming a faithful fan of Alice, I swiped some booze from my father and drank all of it. Thoroughly drunk, I then began to write Alice In Chains a letter, telling them how drunk I was, and how great I thought they were, and also to send me some free shit. Many years later while watching the behind the music story of Alice, Layne was asked if he and the band ever received any crazy fan mail. He started laughing and began talking about some drunk kid who wrote them a letter drunk and kept asking for free shit. I couldn't help but wonder if that was my letter. It would be really amazing to me, provided this isn't some crazy coincidence, I was able to give Layne a quick laugh all those years ago.
Rudy M
"Me and my Dad are hoping to see you guys on tour..."
Hey,
I'm only 14 years old right now, but Alice In Chains has been, and always will be, the greatest band ever. I know I'm way too young and a lot of people who know who Alice in Chains is, are older than me and would probably think, "what the hell does she know?". I didn't know much about them growing up because I was so young and I wouldn't be able to understand what it's all about. My Dad always admired the way their music was and how it helped him through life, you guys really gave him his life back.
My Dad isn't really sappy with emotion but it was a hard time for him to accept the passing of Layne. I remember hearing the songs, "Would", "Rooster", "Man In The Box", and "Heaven Beside You" growing up; but, for the past two years I've really grown to appreciate the music by you guys and it's also helping me through issues myself. Me and my Dad are hoping to see you guys on tour and listening to the new stuff you guys are making also. If you guys ever do come to Philadelphia, make sure to put "Nutshell" on the songs you'll play. AIC has really changed the way I view things, and my thanks to you guys would take years. On behalf of my Dad, we would both like to thank you guys for everything. Keep bringing the hard stuff!
*Seline*, *My Dad*
R.I.P. Layne Staley
"...writing and playing with that raw emotion and honesty..."
Guys,
It was a surreal experience seeing you for the first time this past fall. I have always been such a supporter, but to see you live and in person proves that the music transcends all - even death.
I was a troubled adolescent until I found your music. The pure honesty of it proved to me that, indeed, art could be expressive of one's innermost feelings. I dove headfirst into musicianship, writing and playing with that raw emotion and honesty that you showed me. As a product of a broken and dysfunctional home, I can truly say that the gift you gave me of showing how valuable the music could be. It allowed me to put every problem, no matter how large it seemed, into verse. Looking at each challenge in black and white, and looking at myself in lyrical form, I learned to keep that same honesty with myself. I have overcome my upbringing as a successful adult and an avid - and honest - musician.
I am so grateful to see you return to the stage and the studio. Music is life; it is who we are, not what we do. That is not hindered by critics, circumstance, or even death. So long as we breathe, we articulate our lives, whether that be with our voices, our guitars, our drums, or whatever medium we wish. To see Alice continue that tradition proves that, behind each lyric and riff, the heart is what drives the band forward. That is how music always should be. That is how life should be.
Thank you for giving us the gift of your art, returning to give us more, and reminding us all that, so long as we breathe, there is still a song to sing.
-Matt
