Jerry Cantrell

Jerry Cantrell

Cantrell on January 5th, 2007
Background information
Born (1966-03-18) March 18, 1966
Tacoma, Washington, United States
Genres Alternative metal, heavy metal, doom metal, grunge,[1] alternative rock, blues rock, hard rock
Occupation(s) Musician, singer, songwriter
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1983–present
Labels Columbia, Roadrunner
Associated acts Alice in Chains, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Cardboard Vampyres, Danzig, Metal Church, Damageplan, Gov't Mule, Deftones
Notable instruments
G&L Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature Model
Gibson Les Paul
Mosrite

Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. (born March 18, 1966) is an American musician who is best known as the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist and main songwriter for the rock band Alice in Chains. He also has a solo career and released the albums Boggy Depot in 1998 and Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 in 2002.

Biography

Early life

Cantrell noted in an interview that he was "raised on country music" as a youth and that he admires the emotion conveyed in the genre. He also considers himself "half Yankee and half redneck." However, hard rock music caught Cantrell's interest predominantly, and he bought his first guitar in his mid teens. It would not be until the age of 17 that he began seriously playing the instrument. Cantrell would later cite guitarists such as Ace Frehley, Tony Iommi, Angus Young, Jimmy Page, and Eddie Van Halen as major influences.[2]

Cantrell attended junior high and high school in Spanaway, Washington and, before owning his first guitar, was a member of the high school choir which attended many state competitions. In his senior year Cantrell became choir president, and the quartet sang the national anthem at basketball games and won competitions with the highest marks achievable. Cantrell has cited his interest in dark musical tones as dating back to this period: "In choir we performed a cappella Gregorian chants from the 14th and 15th centuries. It was scary church music."[3] His choir teacher and drama teacher were, early on, his two greatest motivators toward a career in music. When Alice in Chains' first album went gold, Cantrell sent both teachers a gold record.[4]

Cantrell's parents divorced when he was seven, and his mother died in 1987 at the age of 43.[5]

In the mid-1980s, Cantrell began a band called Diamond Lie which included drummer Bobby Nesbitt and bassist Mike Starr. Layne Staley, a vocalist and Cantrell's roommate, also agreed to join on the condition that Cantrell join his funk project (which ended shortly after). Diamond Lie gained attention in the Seattle area and eventually took the name of Alice 'N Chainz, then renamed Alice in Chains.[6]

Alice in Chains

Main article: Alice in Chains
Jerry Cantrell during an Alice in Chains concert in San Jose, October 2010.

Jerry Cantrell served as the lead guitarist, co-lyricist, co-vocalist and main composer of Alice in Chains until the group's near-permanent hiatus beginning in the late 1990s and leading through the death of lead singer Layne Staley in April 2002. Cantrell's guitar contribution gave a heavy metal edge to the band's basic grunge style.[7] The band reformed in 2005 with its surviving members. Cantrell played in a number of concerts with Alice in Chains featuring lead singers such as Maynard James Keenan, Mark Lanegan, James Hetfield, Phil Anselmo, Billy Corgan, Patrick Lachman, Scott Weiland, and William DuVall. Although Cantrell acknowledges the benefits of working as a solo artist, he expressed his happiness with being back in the band culture. On September 29, 2009, Alice in Chains, with William DuVall as co-vocalist, released their first record since the death of Layne Staley, Black Gives Way to Blue, and toured in support of the album.[8] The band released their fifth studio album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, on May 28, 2013.[9]

Solo career

Cantrell's career outside Alice in Chains has consisted of two solo albums, as well as many appearances with other musicians and on film soundtracks. His first solo material came in a song entitled "Leave Me Alone." This was released exclusively on The Cable Guy soundtrack in 1996, featuring Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinney. It had a music video and reached Number 14 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks.

As the activity of Alice in Chains slowed and the band's future came into question, Cantrell reluctantly began work on his first full-length solo record. While video footage from Cantrell's official website claimed that he wanted to work solo for some time,[10] his comments in Guitar World stated otherwise:

It's something I never really wanted to do, but the way things have played out, it's like, why not? To be honest, I'd just be happy being the lead guitarist and singer for Alice In Chains. It's always been my first love, and always will be, but the situation being what it is... we've been together for a long time, and right now it's kinda played out. It's time to let it be. Now I've got to step up to the plate and take a few swings.[11]

Boggy Depot was released in April 1998. It contains three singles including the popular "Cut You In" and "My Song."[12] His touring band for the album included Alice in Chains bandmates Inez and Kinney, and Cantrell expressed hope to have a second album released by the following year.

The same year of Boggy Depot, Cantrell began writing a follow-up album. He also departed from Columbia Records during this time and had trouble finding a new label. Cantrell said of the writing experience:

In '98, I locked myself in my house, went out of my mind and wrote 25 songs. I rarely bathed during that period of writing; I sent out for food, I didn't really venture out of my house in three or four months. It was a hell of an experience. The album is an overview of birth to now.[13]

Finally in June 2002, Cantrell issued his second album, Degradation Trip, with Ozzy Osbourne's then live rhythm section, Mike Bordin (drums) and Robert Trujillo (bass). Released on Roadrunner Records, Degradation Trip hit shelves soon after Layne Staley's death and was dedicated to him. The songs on the album ranged from doom metal to pop-based hard rock.[7] The album, which received better critical reception than its predecessor, featured two singles, "Anger Rising" and "Angel Eyes," and the track "She Was My Girl" was included on the Spider-Man soundtrack. The live show was well received by audiences on a national tour that helped build upon the solo albums success. Degradation Trip was re-released in November of that year as a double album, featuring eleven additional tracks that made for the album as Cantrell originally intended.

Cantrell has been rumored to be working on his third full-length solo album for several years, for a supposedly planned release in 2006. However, as of 2013, this album still has not been released. Subsequent work with the revamped Alice in Chains may have stalled this release.[14] When asked about releasing another solo album, he issued this statement:

Not for a while. My first and foremost love has been this band and always has been. The only reason I did those two records is because we weren’t working as a band. But being a part of this band is a full time job. Some guys can do multiple things and maybe when I was younger I could do that, but not now.[15]

Collaborations

In music

Cantrell has appeared as guest guitarist on several albums and projects, including the Danzig album Blackacidevil and the Metallica album Garage Inc. He also guested on Circus of Power's album Magic & Madness in 1993 for the song "Heaven 'N Hell." He provided guest vocals for the track "Effigy" on Gov't Mule's 2001 album, The Deep End, Volume 1.

In 2002, Cantrell played a series of summer dates with headlining hard rock/post-grunge band Nickelback. Cantrell can be seen playing "It Ain't Like That" with the band on their first DVD release, Live at Home. He was also asked by Nickelback's frontman, Chad Kroeger, to contribute to the song "Hero" for the 2002 film, Spider-Man. Cantrell was unable to attend the recording session and was replaced by Saliva's Josey Scott.

In early 2004, Cantrell collaborated with The Cult guitarist Billy Duffy to form the rock supergroup Cardboard Vampyres. Under the moniker of the Jerry Cantrell-Billy Duffy Band, they debuted during the three-concert series for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund at The Troubadour in April 2004.[16] "This band is really just about having fun and playing tunes that we were fans of growing up," Cantrell stated. Performing mostly cover songs from bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, The Stooges, Black Sabbath, and Aerosmith, the group was rounded out by vocalist John Corabi, bassist Chris Wyse, and drummer Josh Howser.[17] The band played at various venues in the United States; although, they predominately played along the West Coast. No formal albums were released by the band.

Cantrell has also collaborated with Alternative Metal band Deftones. He contributed guitar parts to the track 'Phantom Bride' off the album, Gore (album)[18]

In film

Cantrell is featured in the movie Singles along with the rest of Alice in Chains performing the songs "It Ain't Like That" and "Would?". He is also featured as an actor in the movie Jerry Maguire. He also wrote the song "Leave Me Alone" for the 1996 dark comedy The Cable Guy, which can be found on that movie's soundtrack. Cantrell returned to the movie scene in 2004 to write, with the newly formed metal band Damageplan, the song "Ashes to Ashes" for the movie The Punisher. That song can be found on that movie's soundtrack, and as a bonus track on the Japanese version of the Damageplan album New Found Power. He also appears briefly with Warren Haynes in the documentary Rising Low which documents the work of the band Gov't Mule following the death of bassist Allen Woody. Recently he was featured in the independent comedy Rock Slyde.[19]

Equipment

Onstage in 2006

Cantrell plays G&L and Gibson Guitars, and in 2009 G&L released a Jerry Cantrell Signature Model.

Style

Cantrell's early influences made Alice in Chains' heavy metal tones stand out among their fellow grunge/alternative rock-oriented bands of the Seattle music scene. However, his musical range also extends into elements of blues and country as heard on his solo debut album. Cantrell's guitar playing is known for its unique use of wah pedal as well as odd time signatures. In a 1998 interview with Guitar World, he was asked about the latter quality:

I really don't know where that comes from; it just comes naturally to me. I could sit down and figure it out, but what's the use? Off-time stuff is just more exciting – it takes people by surprise when you shift gears like that before they even know what the hell hit 'em. It's also effective when you slow something down and then slam 'em into the dash. A lot of Alice stuff is written that way – "Them Bones" is a great off-time song.[20]

Legacy

In July 2006, British hard rock/metal magazine Metal Hammer awarded Cantrell the title of Riff Lord, at its annual Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards show, held at the London Astoria. He was apparently thrilled at winning the title, over several famous artists such as Slash, James Hetfield, and Jimmy Page.[21]

He is ranked #38 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of all time by Guitar World[22] and recently ranked #37 out of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time also by Guitar World.[23]

Personal life

Cantrell's father, Jerry Sr., is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. He was the main subject in the song "Rooster" which Cantrell wrote as a tribute to his father. Jerry's first childhood memory is meeting his father for the first time after he had returned from war. Due to the strain of war, his parents divorced and Jerry lived with his mother, Gloria.[24]

Cantrell's mother, Gloria Jean Cantrell, died in 1987. His close friend Andrew Wood (of Mother Love Bone) died in 1990, leading Jerry to pen the song "Would?" for Alice In Chains' second album Dirt in Wood's memory. He also dedicated Alice In Chains' debut album Facelift to Wood, as well as his late mother.

He co-owns a hard rock bar called Dead Man's Hand in Las Vegas with Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian.[25]

Discography

With Alice in Chains

Solo

Year Album details Chart positions
US
[26]		 AUS
[27]		 CAN
[28]		 NZ
[29]
1998 Boggy Depot 28 25 39 46
2002 Degradation Trip 33 34 35 36
Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2
  • Released: November 26, 2002
  • Label: Roadrunner
 — — — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Singles

Year Song Chart positions
US
Alt.		 US
Main.
1996 "Leave Me Alone" — 14
1998 "Cut You In" 15 5
"Dickeye" — 36
"My Song" — 6
2002 "Anger Rising" — 10
"Angel Eyes" — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

With Ozzy Osbourne

Other appearances

References

  1. ↑ McGovern, Kyle (May 28, 2013). "Alice in Chains' Advice to Young Bands: 'Quit Now'". Spin. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Jerry Cantrell talks 'Devils & Dinosaurs'". guitarplayer.com. April 17, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  3. ↑ Farber, Jim (June 16, 2002). "Unchained melodies". Daily News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  4. ↑ Stout, Gene; Jerry Depot (October 30, 1998). "Cantrell seeks out a solo identity on first tour away from Alice". Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  5. ↑ Weingarten, Marc (June 1998). "Unchained". Guitar World. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  6. ↑ Kleidermacher, Mordechai (July 1990). "Link With Brutality". Circus magazine.
  7. 1 2 Marsicano, Dan. "What The Hell Happened To… 03.31.08: Jerry Cantrell – Degradation Trip". 411mania.com. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  8. ↑ McLennan, Scott (August 6, 2006). "Alice in Chains regroups after its leader's death". Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
  9. ↑ "Alice in Chains: New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. February 14, 2013. Archived from the original on February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Jerry Cantrell Takes "Boggy Depot" Online". MTV.com. March 30, 1998. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  11. ↑ Weingarten, Marc (June 1998). "Unchained". Guitar World. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  12. ↑ Weingarten, Marc (June 1998). "Unchained". Guitar World.
  13. ↑ "Jerry Cantrell biography". Roadrunner Records. Archived from the original on March 8, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2006.
  14. ↑ "Jerry Cantrell: 'You Can't Replace a Guy Like Layne Staley'". Metalunderground.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2005. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  15. ↑ "More Notes From Jerry Cantrell'S Espn.Com Live Chat". Grungereport.net. October 21, 2010. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  16. ↑ Jeckell, Barry A. (March 7, 2004). "L.A. Concerts To Benefit Sweet Relief". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  17. ↑ Jeckell, Barry A. (June 18, 2004). "Cantrell, Duffy Form Cardboard Vampyres". Glide. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  18. ↑ Buchanan, Brett. "Deftones Preview Song With Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell & Debut "Prayers/Triangles"". AlternativeNation.net. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  19. ↑ "Rock Slyde IMDb page". Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Jerry Cantrell on His First Solo Album and the State of Alice In Chains". Guitar World. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Golden Gods Awards Winners". Metal Hammer Magazine. Archived from the original on November 11, 2006. Retrieved November 13, 2006.
  22. ↑ "Guitar World's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time". Blabbermouth. January 23, 2004. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  23. ↑ "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Guitar World. October 10, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  24. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon (February 8, 1996). "Alice in Chains: To Hell and Back". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  25. ↑ "Jerry Cantrell And Scott Ian Open Las Vegas Bar!". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Jerry Cantrell Chart History". Billboard.
  27. ↑ "Discography Jerry Cantrell". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Top 100 CDs – Volume 67, No. 5 (4)". RPM. April 27, 1998. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Discography Jerry Cantrell". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014.
  30. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSycaeY7qi4

External links

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