ALICE IN CHAINS Fans Have Conflicting Emotions About Seeing Band With New Singer

August 13, 2006

Robert Morast of South Dakota's Argus Leader reports that ALICE IN CHAINS sold a couple thousand tickets or so in advance for the show Saturday night (August 12) at the Sioux Empire Fair that was to feature COMES WITH THE FALL singer William DuVall with the surviving AIC members — Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez and Sean Kinney. The support is kind of surprising, considering that, as a rule, rock fans hate change. That's why, even among AIC's thirsty admirers, there's some hesitation to embrace ALICE IN CHAINS 2.0.

"I think initially I was a little bit shocked. Seeing them tour without Layne [Staley] was a little odd at first," says Barry Van Beek, a musician and longtime ALICE IN CHAINS fan from Rock Valley, Iowa. "But now, I think, I've come to terms with it and am pretty excited about it."

Van Beek says his acceptance of this new AIC came through reading how guitarist Jerry Cantrell said this tour is so the band can play the songs one more time.

Fans appreciate the return. But there still are some conflicting emotions.

"I know I'll stand there in awe. I'll also be quite saddened. To hear those songs sung by somebody else will be kind of strange," Van Beek says.

It's a common concern.

"There have been a few people who have said to me personally, 'it's not the same guy, it's not the same thing,' " says Matt Adamski, director of the Sioux Empire Fair. "But you know, it's still going to be a good show. The core group is there. The music is there."

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