Jerry Cantrell On How He Felt When Layne Staley Joined Mad Season - 1998 Interview

[@ShirleyCobain]

Jerry talking more about Mad Season in a 1996 interview: Guitar World: Speaking of Layne, what do you think of Above, the Mad Season album? Jerry Cantrell: I think it's fucking great. I totally have to 'fess up-I was jealous as shit when I first heard it. It's like somebody taking your girlfriend out. [laughs] But after that initial reaction, I went and saw them play at the Moore Theater and I was so proud, I was beaming for them. I almost started crying while I was watching them because it was so cool. Then I felt pissed again because I wasn't up there playing! [laughs] I talked to Layne a lot about the record. It was good for him because it blew a bunch of shit out of his head. I've been credited for being a writer and putting out a lot of material with this band and sniff, so I think it was real healthy for him to be able to do that. I have nothing but the greatest respect for the guy. And that record's very soulful. There are some real low, cobwebby passages on that fucker that are cool as fuck. Layne has the most beautiful way of saying something horrible I've ever heard. www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/1996-guitar-world-interview-jerry-cantrell-alice-chains-discusses-songwriting-and-bands-new-self-titled-album

[@Bo-Dog]

Dirt was the darkest of AIC’s... fucking heavy man!

[@dasein9980]

@@Bo-Dog I think Jar of Flies was abkut as dark as Dirt.

[@garrison0532082]

"Layne has the most beautiful way of saying something horrible I've ever heard." Spot on, Jerry

[@tfv1566]

The entertainment industry... you win very little and get screwed from time to time, the loss that comes is always there in one way or another regardless and it's how you take it that counts. Good friends, family, remain and you forgive and forget where moochers move on and fade like the days end. Listen without judgment and actually hear what's being said...

[@tonyhensonart5232]

@@dasein9980 yes!!! Lyrics and mood /atmosphere. One of my favorite EP’s. it’s not as obvious as Dirt but very dark like a Mark Rothko painting.

[@Kayster1971]

The fact that he said he got upset about Layne doing the Mad Season thing just shows how much Layne meant to him.

[@Pepsolman]

The Mad Season album Above is a masterpiece. Jerry knows he can’t say anything bad about it. It’s pure musical magic. You can’t hate something like that.

[@terrynewton6200]

Probably their third best album, imo

[@TheSlider420]

FACTS!!

[@josephbenson4444]

@@terrynewton6200 Mad Season only had 1 album.

[@renrose2386]

I have nothing else to do but agree with you

[@PnwOnTour]

He knew it was good, but just think your killer lead singer/friend is enjoying himself elsewhere while still sliding downwards from the addictions.

[@superunknown70]

Jerry should get more love than he does. Jerry is a real honest guy and very secure with himself. Intelligent both emotionally and cognitively. That's the guy I'd want to go out with.

[@andrepereira744]

?? I think every decent"fan"of AIC knows that Jerry is the backbone of the band besides Layne's amaizingness. Everyone loves this man,never see or heard a bad coment about him so i'm not sure what you meant,but that's ok.

[@killval849]

Yeah idk what u mean, I've literally NEVER hear anyone speak ill of Jerry, not once.

[@MLCrow]

andré pereira Not everyone "loves", "respects" Cantrell. I remember I've read some really bad comments about him here on YT (especially when they released their 1st album without Staley), I'm surprised you never see or heard about it...for example that he's a money b..ch because he didn't change the band's name and stuff like that. Whatever. Cantrell has always been the main song writer (especially if we talk about the music), he has all my respect. Some say AIC wouldn't be recognizable without Staley (I agree)...but I can say the same for Cantrell. They both made AIC special.

[@chriswesthoff0426]

He was sincere and mature even back when he was younger about his feelings, shows his true good character!

[@lauramalizia9636]

I think she also means she'd like to date him. Heck, who wouldn't?!

[@DoomedCDN]

Everyone should admire someone who is being 100% honest.

[@Matt-oy7pz]

I’m so glad Layne finally, got the chance to fully express himself.. and we now, have a feel… for who Layne was, musically

[@abnerhayes6915]

Jerry is so honest bless him

[@mikewhipkey6863]

It's kind after Rare to see a Band like AIC where the members are actually Friends and Legitimately care about each other! Most bands you see can't actually stand one another but AIC were different and it shows in the quality of their music

[@gabrielalejandroavilaquint8191]

And then there's Rush

[@danielbrown1724]

True, but the same can be said about SG, PJ as well as AIC. That area that spawned these bands just happened to spawn quality people that have each other's back.

[@matte6352]

Gabriel Alejandro Ávila Quintana Touché.

[@waxoftriple9]

It's because of the scene they came up in. Seattle and surrounding areas, they come across as extremely supportive and you don't find that often in the local scene. I think that's why sooo many bands from the mid 80's to early 90's from that area blew up, the scene was strong, they just needed the spotlight.

[@chrisg7731]

It’s funny, I always say the same thing about Alice in Chains being friends and how it came through the music. Good call. And even when Jerry went and made a solo album, Mike and Sean did it with him while Layne was out of commission. Those guys fucking love each other. I’m so glad they’re my favorite band. Another place you can see this same situation is the New Orleans sludge scene. The guys from Crowbar, Eyehategod, to an extent Acid Bath, Exhorder (not a sludge band but still NOLA), Down, etc. all shared members and played shows together back in the day. Very tight knit scene. Super cool that they were all friends and supported one another.

[@whitenoise546]

Jerry was the cog that made AIC run. He's so down to earth and knowledgeable about human interaction and being open. Love the guy

[@jonrebman1496]

Love Layne…but Jerry is one of the greatest American song writer of all time…damn glad I got to enjoy his music in my lifetime…keep rockin man!

[@eggstu]

I fucking love Jerry Cantrell. My sanity exists because of his musical acumen

[@thecacapl]

Amem to that

[@ryanscarborough6703]

Lyrical and musically Jerry is just a certified genius. He never disapoints. Even his few solo songs for a couple soundtracks (Setting Sun and A Job to Do) are just phenomenal. He can put you right in the head of the character he is singing about. Once in a lifetime talent as a song writer.

[@Beastking1107]

@@ryanscarborough6703 you re damn right

[@TheTodd5761]

Jerry's an underrated legend. Thats all I have to say about that

[@MLCrow]

@@DarkLabProductions Jerry Cantrell is one of my all time favorite musicians but I wouldn't say he's one of the best guitarists...but "innovative" maybe. Jerry is not just a guitarist but also a vocalist (also co-vocalist) and an amazing songwriter (both for music and lyrics). There are way better guitarists out there but there's no one like Cantrell (as a musician as a whole). His music is unique...his sound a trademark.

[@daveg4236]

Underrated by whom? Such a stupid comment

[@latouselatrec]

I'm sick of people saying so and so is underrated. And Jerry isnt

[@tats5880]

Do you people even know what underrated means?? Every damn guitarist or singer is underrated..

[@taryla.schroeder6746]

what about ' tool "who lost their mane member D. E.j Todd. just recently. Troops D E T you will be missed greatly.bye cuz God bless you.

[@tehf00n]

God opened the heavens and gave the world Mad Season to let the world know that Layne was a phenomenon outside of the realms of just one band. A magnificent album and a great use of talent.

[@HildeAzul]

Yes! Perfectly said. Mad Season is why I am a fan of AIC.

[@ReviewGuy01]

so that part when kurt said he was doing coke with alice in chains all night wasnt wrong after all

[@teraarmstrong6488]

I can agree since we were there. It was a dark time, everyone was looking for something to hold on too. It was done from there as for the public. Those close had years to go.

[@maxcalifornia94]

Jerry looking like a total badass. One of my favs for sure.

[@robynewilliams-heller1816]

I remember this interview. Someone actually argued with me that it never happened. I started doubting myself. Thanx for the Upload. You know I'm just gonna have to share this. LoL.

[@susansimpson72]

Me too!

[@KedViper]

Don't you love when you get gaslit by ignorance? lol

[@Liss1991x]

Man I really love Jerry, he’s so intelligent and self reflected, truly an underrated genius

[@assumity]

Jerry always struck me as a class act. While so many of his contemporaries would give goofball interviews where they were intentionally weird and evasive, Cantrell’s interviews are always coherent and thoughtful. I know that music journalists can be clueless idiots, but I feel Jerry’s approach shows respect for his fans, who are really interested in what he has to say.

[@Rackus82]

JERRY is the most underrated guitar player ever. HE IS EASILY TOP 5.

[@morgancatherwood5665]

As always, Jerry's just a class act. I love his vibe as a guy. I'm a pretty good guitar player now, but when I was younger and didn't know how to play I would air guitar the notes to the solo for 'Them bones - I always do it - just did it about 4 days ago when I put on dirt and was working out at the gym in bellows falls, vt'. As I learned and got better over the years, I realized my air 'placement' of the notes was pretty accurate lol. I fully support Jerry and AIC with William. My doubts were quieted when their first album came out. the vocal harmonies in 'Private Hell' speak to the legitimacy of this version of the band. I still tear up listening to 'Black gives way to blue'. Those guys went through a lot and I respect them both musically and as people. Jerry's a master at his craft - respect

[@lunar3193]

Mad season was the best!!

[@tykruszka]

Jerry is diplomatic as hell. Amazing answers to some hard as fuck questions

[@Rackus82]

Mad Season had to be done..... beautiful album!

[@MsAb-cp9lk]

Absolutely

[@TiffanyT-LaDolceVita]

Jerry is the master of class.

[@HildeAzul]

I will have to agree. A true friend who hasn’t spoken an I’ll word of Layne or Mike. Ever. He could make cash writing an autobiography about himself and AIC and really get into the dirty. He won’t though.

[@brisakruspe]

0:13 was his mic inside his body or sum lol you can hear the WHOLE process of him swallowing 😭

[@karoonboomie2813]

JERRY C. IS ONE OF THE MOST COOLEST FUCKING GUY EVER! I KNOW HE LOVED LAYNE DEARLY AND TREATED HIM WELL. GOOD FOR YOU JERRY, KEEP ROCKIN’ ON SWEET SOUL

[@josephhoman8602]

When I hear mad season,one person comes to mind..Layne Staley

[@flynntaylor5459]

I get it too because layne staley is completely ingrained in jerrys music. On d trip whatever it takes just after the verse I swear its sounds like layne in that next vocal but its not its jerry but it demonstrates how intertwined they were musically. Even today I hear layne in jerry its heartbreakingly beautiful and so maddening at the same time🤔💔😱

[@Gomba13]

Actually, you have been mistaking Jerry's voice for Layne's on early AIC records, because of the harmonizing. What you hear on Degradation Trip isn't Layne, what you hear is your earlier assumption that you are hearing Layne when you were really hearing Jerry. Dude, give credit where credit is due. 🤷‍♀️

[@zeynepungormus8068]

I think I get what you're saying. I do feel the same thing but it's weird though because they sound so different when they sing separately but when they sing together I often confuse which one is the one. And also Jerry Cantrell himself talked about that in the Gibson legend interview. It is a long interview and I don't remember the exact moment but you can watch that.

[@503dcccccccccccc]

It’s always the best that leave us early. Rip Layne

[@Spthomas47]

... I've stayed too long.

[@persona-wo8bi]

ain't that the truth

[@matty7006]

Layne was a tortured soul too Beautiful for this world

[@krisfrederick5001]

I've been musically cheated on and also musically cheated. It's hilarious how much that is how it felt. Never thought I would hear it from Jerry though. I guess that is proof you really care.

[@ArtoriasTheme]

Cantrell is a real one. I love how honest and genuine he is here.

[@jayteesgear]

Mad Season was Amazing🙏🏻👽

[@aussiem8130]

Jerry is a legend says alot about a bloke😎

[@jimmyschmidt5077]

They truly loved each other. Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell were good friends the whole band was. Even alive in chains got mad cool with a few of my favorite bands like pantera metallica and nirvan. Hes mentioned them on interview and has so many other bands like slayer megadeth sound garden. check out all the alice in chains and Laynes Staley intview.

[@PnwOnTour]

0:14 Jerry was thirsty, was the mic 🎤 in his throat lol 😂

[@marslpv2333]

This dude is the tops!

[@markronnell4283]

The sunglasses and the sniffling....cocaine man.

[@1hundredwattwarlock142]

He’s on all the cocaine

[@paynecast9935]

The best

[@obsidian2404]

That coca

[@rsohlich1]

The kind the common man can't find.

[@roelruiz2022]

Puro

[@CaitlynFoster_]

Jerry on Layne joining Mad Season: “it’s like someone’s fucking your girlfriend”

[@matthewsteele8448]

I really wish Layne had beat addiction but I'm glad we still have Jerry

[@CP-kb1du]

Jerry is still making playing music today enough said

[@paigehill4882]

Such a class act

[@meltedmarshdaddy]

Damn.. Jerrys truly one of the only true ones weve ever had. I wont be around after tomorrow. I love you all

[@djshad1885]

AiC in early 90s were a machine.

[@amyconway9923]

Awesome response jerry

[@SKOJCV]

Jerry has always been cool as fuck

[@brianbushue2997]

thank you jerry

[@smalltowngirl4415]

Love me someJerry. The Rock!

[@andreaparker218]

Jerry sure there’s a lot of sniffing in this Video

[@10bighikes58]

i mean anyone who's followed AIC knows Jerry was into coke back then...

[@lastfewtokes]

You can tell Jerry is kinda jealous in a way about Mad Season. It ended up being a masterpiece and Layne didn't have Jerry do anything with it.

[@theMenace985]

Its not as good as anything he wrote with Jerry. Sure its good but doesn't have that AIC grittiness. The best song is the one Layne wrote by himself.

[@SEESBoyYuki]

As someone who's only recently gotten into Alice In Chains (Found out about them in 2022), I have a fondness for Jerry. I look up to the guy, even if that's not a good thing. The songs he made after Layne passed, I really felt like I could truly connect with them on a personal level compared to their older songs from when Layne was around. But I do find myself loving Jerry more than Layne, but I also love Layne for everything he's done for music. Both guys are amazing and talented, and I can definitely see some of myself in both of them, more so in Jerry.

[@loombaron]

jerry is damn loaded in this interview

[@kleven707]

Actually he wasnt

[@markonajev7743]

She's all right she's all rigt she's all right .......

[@Papagiorgio153]

@@VlonceDaBoy How does op know he has?

[@ryanherr03]

@@kleven707 Actually he was. Ever heard of cocaine?

[@obsidian2404]

@@kleven707 actually Cocaine.

[@janetfedeles3964]

I loved Layne and still love to hear him sing. However, he is the reason AIC had to go on hiatus at the peak of their career as a band. It is not easy being around an addict who is not showing up for rehearsals until very late, being irritable and refusing to do more than one take , etc. The whole band suffered from Layne's addiction. This is how addiction works. So going to play with another band could have been pretty upsetting to AIC band members. Jerry and Layne were not on speaking terms for years after being best friends. Yet the whole band, especially Jerry never said an unkind word about Layne. They all grieved Layne's death for a long time. Pretty cool guys. They show character. Layne was a good soul. I hope he is at peace now.

[@Bdhacker101]

Interviewer: "blablahablahblah....." Jerry: "Sure" Interviewer: "blahblahblahblahblah....." Jerry: "Yeah sure"

[@DownloadeousMaximus]

It’s like Jar of Flies. Complete masterpiece.

[@dmac4793]

Jerry Always is honest. Glad the Mad Season record was made its in the top 5 " grunge" records ever.

[@rawkguy4896]

Above is my all time favorite album. Point blank, I doubt anything in my lifetime will ever impact me the way that album did when I was 16 and I'm barely 29. But still, that must have been extremely frustrating for Jerry to cancel Alice's plans to get Layne help and then see him making great music with a new band. Love both of them but I get it

[@loadedlipdippers1087]

God jerry was def on the yakkkkkkkk. Lil bit of booger sugar in this one 😂😂

[@cameronjohnson3529]

I'm surprised he didn't have a Neil Young sized coke booger sticking out, unless Martin Scorsese had it edited out...😆

[@overthenever4262]

The Dude Just a great guy 🤘

[@truthisstrangerthanfishin7472]

I think what he was trying to get to one it's like your best friend sleeping with your girlfriend but you hope that it's not even more amazing so they end up staying together...

[@mikrokozm9]

Dirt was great. Above was magic. Mad Season allowed one thing Jerry was not ok with. Saw all four guys sitting at a table at the Crocodile loaded as fuck and happy, joking, smiling. Mad Season, Mother Love Bone, Mudhoney, Squirt...true Seattle.

[@Elricwulf]

Legend has it that, around the time of this interview, Jerry had tapped into a monumental supply of Plutonian Nyborg..

[@taimeuppe6174]

Jerry rocks

[@jamesvirostek4140]

that loud ass fucking swollowing sound

[@roelruiz2022]

You mean the "Drain"

[@lynettec66]

Man, Jerry seems nervous and under the influence of...something...love ya, Jerry. Miss you every day, Layne! xx

[@patrickrussell6558]

Cocaine

[@lindsayheywood7195]

I wonder how the rest of Alice in Chains feels when Jerry does his solo stuff?

[@wandaburgess9400]

I think Shirley might have some pretty famous friends! She seems to get some cool stuff to watch..

[@SWBaek117]

That drinking sound...

[@semmcstevenson]

Sniff sniff. 🎱

[@10bighikes58]

lol yeah he dabbled back then

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

Even though Layne came up with the name, I always thought of Alice in Chains primarily as Jerry's band. Even Jerry's solo stuff, I just consider an extension of Alice in Chains. But Layne was bigger than Alice in Chains. He did Mad Season's _Above_ which was phenomenal and if you look around on KZbin, he's done a bunch of collaborative stuff which is distinctly Layne but not even in the same realm as Alice in Chains.

[@subhashxrecord3131]

Ya Boggy sounds alot like Alice 3/4ths of them ; DT is great I'm enjoying both albums lately

[@10bighikes58]

jerry is 100% the heart and soul of AIC, and always was. From writing the lion's share of the music, to holding it all together while recording the ST album, when Layne was barely showing up to the studio, to spearheading the reemergence of the band after getting encouragement from Layne's mom. Jerry is no doubt the core of AIC.

[@Farrahtinsley218]

Joseph I don't know if you've seen it but Tool actually gets Layne up onstage on their '93 tour to sing with them and it's great

[@Gomba13]

Layne didn't come up with the name, he brought it with him from his previous band, where it was a Marilyn Manson type name concept descriptive of that band.

[@TheStepmonkey]

Jerry is the mastermind behind the band but Layne was the magic factor that made them famous and unique. Without him AiC has never been the same. Also, Layne didn't need Jerry to shine, his Mad Season album proves that.

[@Polyester_Avalanche]

Remember when Layne said called Metallica, "Mascerica" on stage?

[@latouselatrec]

No I hadn't that's fucking hilarious

[@klm4446]

His sense of humor was the best. Him and Sean Kinney were hilarious.

[@crypticlady3923]

Layne was adorable and extremely talented but Jerry has the personality

[@tammiealmany6239]

Good morning 🌄 💕

[@semmcstevenson]

Jerry is great like David Gilmour

[@10bighikes58]

bang on... they both sing with their voices and their guitars

[@NoNameNNme]

where did u get this video..? thank's btw

[@ShirleyCobain]

It's from VH1's Behind The Music - Metallica. kzbin.info?search_query=jerry+cantrell+lost+interview+uncut

[@tracyrichards6545]

❤️💔💔❤️

[@undergroundunlimited2282]

Lars and James allowed Kirk and Jason to be more involved in the writing process?? Come on now……..

[@zerofret4207]

I bet Jason Newstead wanted to play with AIC pretty bad.

[@Лейла-э1ц]

💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋

[@kat3871]

00:13 drinking ASMR. 😂

[@matutegamer9255]

Lmao they talk about jason newsted

[@samcorcoran470]

That is a perfect analogy. I love Alice in Chains. But Mike and Layne made the cutest baby.

[@kleven707]

LAYNE. HIS NAME WAS LAYNE

[@lauramalizia9636]

She wrote Layne.. LAYNE?! I'm confused. What's wrong with the comment.

[@brethebrat]

Laura Malizia they edited it afterwards

[@andrewvincent5472]

Who is the fifth person that jerry mentions about midway?!

[@OGStinkywizzleteats]

I think Layne was like John Lennon. Creative, but not nearly as driven as McCartney. Cantrell was the McCartney of the band.

[@randygorence3815]

Dang... he's sooo humble though, all around, he was a little butt hurt, but he is cool about it

[@jesseoreilly1792]

Only it turned out the issue with Jason was not resolved...lol. It's old news but I can never help but say that Metallica really cheated themselves out of using his creative input more.

[@michop21]

0:13 0:16 0:19

[@nick3718]

LMAO dude was coked out of his mind

[@Vor_Tex_Sun]

He was mostly coherent

[@BoslagerBBQ]

And Jerry fans are glad he’s not like James and Lars.

[@mykelc205]

Wake up..lifeless dead..river of deceit and I don't know anything would've stood with anything off of the tripod album.

[@Ashley-ir3px]

ASEYHL. JEYSALH. 💞🎸😍🥰💘💖💜💜🖤💙🧡💞💜❤️🖤😽

[@rm25088]

all coked up. Got the slide going on in the beginninging and everything.

[@Athenascars]

Goddamn so he WAS jealous when Layne went with Mad Season. Awww poor Jerry, he didn’t even spent his bestfriend, Layne’s last few years with him. The world is so fucking cruel

[@rustyramsey7845]

Jerry didn’t stick needles in layne

[@Johnnyrocks34]

Jerry suffers from vocal frye!

[@robertlarson3197]

This interviewer talks too much!

[@W88-s5x]

Coke voice