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Alice In Chains music biography continued...

Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Layne Staley, and was rounded out in the early going by drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr. After playing locally the group cut a demo that got into the hands of Soundgarden managers Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver, and eventually made its way to Columbia Records, where the band was signed in 1989. Alice in Chains soon became a top priority of the label, who released the band's first official recording in July 1990, a promotional EP We Die Young. The EP's lead single, "We Die Young", became a hit on metal radio. Soon after, the band came out with their debut album, Facelift, which spawned the single "Man in the Box," which became a big hit on MTV. The single hit number 18 on the mainstream rock charts, with the album's follow up single, "Sea of Sorrow," reaching number 27. Facelift was eventually certified gold and the album was also a critical success, with Steve Huey of Allmusic citing Facelift as "one of the most important records in establishing an audience for grunge and alternative rock." Dirt, the group's second album was released in the fall of 1992 to very good reviews and went platinum by the end of 1992, but its disturbing lyrics prompted many rumors that Staley was addicted to heroin. The band released the low-key EP Jar of Flies in early 1994. It debuted at number one upon its release, becoming the first EP to top the album charts, and solidifying Alice as grunge superstars.



Despite their success, Alice in Chains stayed off the road, fueling speculation that the group were disbanding. Throughout this period, the members pursued solo and other group efforts, even as their musical influence spread beyond the grunge world. In April 2002, Layne Staley was found dead due to a lethal overdose of cocaine and heroin. Alice in Chains reunited in 2005 and as of 2009 have been working on their first studio album in 14 years with new lead vocalist William DuVall, but there groundbreaking early accomplishments will never be forgotten.