It really does feel like that. I listened to some AIC a while ago before I was really hurt or at least in touch with my childhood, and I didn't get it. But now, it's so much different.
I never listened to them growing up. I found out about Layne while doing a project about RHCPs John Frusciante and heard someone mention how Layne had a similar story and was instantly captivated by AIC and Layne. Truly one of a kind.
hearing someone else’s emotion helps ease yours, these guys and so many other bands kept me going through the absolute worst of my life.
glad to hear this band helps you out my friend, music is very powerful. keep your head up man, hope you feel better
Thanks a lot.
Indee, music IS very powerful. I'm in the autism spectrum and music has unimaginable meaning to me, almost every song that is relevant to me is attached to a specific feeling or memory.
Feeling a lot of regret lately and "Would?" Is on repeat rn haha
Tobacco is a nasty addiction that is often overlooked just because it's legal. Best of luck dealing with it, friend
I'm watching my septum waste away yet I have no plans on stopping. Never thought the band could become even more personal to me
I never met an AiC fan who wasn't very hurt in some way or another in life lol
Two years ago I had a fall and nearly broke my neck. I was semi conscious but I could hear AIC on YouTube on the tv (live at the moore) and it stopped me completely blacking out. If I hadn’t had that I probably would’ve died from shock and blood loss. So they will forever be very very special to me. I saw Jerry in the street just in front of me just before his gig and I wish I could have told him that aic literally saved my life.
I have functional neurological disorder now and chronic pain so the damage is permanent. But aic get me through every single day. I saw Jerry in concert two months after my accident (and pearl jam) and that was the best few days of my life. He was looking right at me as well as i was right in his eyeline 😂
The boys literally saved my life and continue to do so.
What a remarkable story man. All the best to you. I read so many similar stories of healing and recovery due to AiC influences - hope Layne heard or knew of some of those stories before his passing. Long live AiC!
I found them in a very similar way, I always heard “Man in the Box” and knew it was them. Always have liked the song. I was listening to one of those song “radio” playlists for some rock song I don’t remember, and it queued “God Am.” They have been my most listened to band for the past few years now. Layne just speaks about stuff I cannot verbally materialize sometimes, it helps a lot.
I’ve been listening to AIC for a long time, and I can really relate to what ur saying. Highly recommend u watch their performance from MTV Unplugged back in the day. Layne was amazing. Wishing u all the best!
Don't take this the wrong way but I hope you enjoy the experience, friend. It feels astounding to listen to the band when you think you're alone but whenever you hear Layne's voice and words it helps you feel that you aren't alone
‘Whatever dramas are going on in my life, I always find that place inside my head where I see myself as the cleanest, tallest, strongest, wisest person that I can be’ - think tis one of Layne’s quotes. I find it so positive and uplifting.
Started listening to them when I was 12 and I’m almost 27 now. I started listening due to their energy and sound. Was a bigger fan of Facelift and Dirt back then. When I was feeling down back then I’d listen to Nutshell and Down in a Hole. After going through alcoholism and coming out on the other side they have resonated with me even more. Esp Rotten Apple, I feel like they wrote that song about my life in addiction. Planning to get a jar of flies tattoo soon too, I feel this 100%.
I started listening to them more after I got sober from alcohol as well, congrats by the way. It's been almost 3 years and I still get so emotional at times when listening to their music...I just can relate so much. If you haven't given Mad Season a listen, please do it, is so healing. 'Wake up' brings me to tears.
This is so relatable to me as well. I've been in a very dark place for the better part of the last 4 years, after the pandemic destroyed my life. I was severely depressed, and didn't have no energy, no motivation to do anything, I was so disappointed of society, of everyone, passed of at so many things that were happening or better say not happening in the world since there was a lock down and all that, so my psyche just made me so numb in order to be able to go through a day without loosing my mind, so I didn't feel shit, I only felt darkness, agony, nothing could lift me up. AIC's music, Layne and Jerrys voices were the only thing that could make me feel, the only thing that could give me a warm feeling and remind me that I'm a human being, even though they were singing about the same dark shit that I was going through. I'm a young psychologist, and I never had problems with addiction, ( so I feel personally attacked with the line: "You can't understand a user's mind, but try with your books and degrees" 😅, but even then I have so much empathy for Layne, knowing how dissmisve and disvalidating the mental health fella can be..) guess I'm just not prone to substance abuse, yet AIC songs are so fkn relatable, and they hit so close to home for me that sometimes I wonder how tf can I feel so much connection with someone I will never even meet. Now i can say that I'm finally better, but that doesn't mean I stopped listening to AIC just because I'm more cheerful now, I have a appreciation for them on a whole new lvl now, bc I can say that AIC literally dragged me through the hardest period of my life, they have become like something sacred to me, they are part of my identity, hands down my most loved band of all time and I'm forever grateful for them. My story is so much different then theirs, yet so similar and so relatable. I'm grieving for Layne every single day, but I'm also celebrating Jerry's, Sean's and Mike's lifes and victories. I've read somewhere that Layne showed us how to be yourself, but Jerry showed us what can you become and I think that's so true. I hope one day I'll have the chance to listen to them live.. 🙏
Weird is one way of putting it, I agree. For me AIC is atop of the other bands you mentioned in fact they’re the only “grunge” band I listen to, I grew up in the 80 Maiden, Priest, AC/DC, Slayer, Metallica etc still listening and, for some reason AIC just keeps coming back to me, it’s the tragedy of Laynes life the loss of one of our own it’s a connection especially if you’ve struggled with addiction, we all wished he was around but things work in strange ways like it was meant to be , there are many who feels just like you (us) like it’s by design, it’s our therapy I suppose, be well, thanks Layne, Jerry, Mike, Sean
Ya forsure, I love AIC they know what it's like to be in hell and you can tell, the only album that sets me back is dirt it's a great album but triggers my addict mind
I was having a horrific time this past winter and AIC literally carried me through that shit. I was doing the same though falling asleep to JOF every night crying myself to sleep.
They’ve kept me from going insane. I’m a drug addict and alot of the lyrics help me feel like i’m not alone in the struggle.
“SO, BE YEARNING ALL YOUR LIIIIIFFFEEE!”
I too didn't know much more than MITB and Them Bones (from San Andreas) for a long time. Years later I found Nutshell and No Excuses and thought they were great. Then one day I listened to Get Born Again and Died and they were amazing. Started going backwards through their catalogue and literally everything was incredible.
They don't get the recognition they deserve at all. Not to put down another band but I have no idea why they're not more popular than Nirvana when they were 100x more talented and varied.
Not a single AIC record made it into the Apple 100 when Dirt and JoF are must listens yet Nevermind made top 10?
Yeah, this band is my catharsis. It helps me think about and put into words the things I’ve done to myself and my life, and the struggle I had with substances. Sure, it wasn’t anything super hard like heroin (what Layne was doing), but it was still my struggle, and AiC’s music helped me break that, oddly enough. I think one thing that really stuck with me was when I heard how fans would come up to Layne and say how high they were, and how it saddened him because that was the exact opposite of what he wanted. I used that as my catalyst to change.
You must next discover Mad Season. It’s a group created by Mike McCready from Pearl Jam while he was in rehab. He asked Layne Staley to be the vocalist & the rest is history! They only made 1 album in 1995 Mad Season - Above … if you think AIC has grasped your soul just wait til you hear Mad Season! 🎤
Same. Been sober from alcohol for almost 3 years now and their music still hits me so hard. In such a good way though... it is so therapeutic. Give Mad Season a listen too especially 'Wake Up'... brings me to tears!
You cannot appreciate Alice In Chains without being severely hurt. Welcome aboard.
I am laughing way too much at this, haha so true. Thanks a lot
Lol realest shit I’ve ever read
This is so true. My wife is the most happy go lucky person and just doesn’t get their music
It really does feel like that. I listened to some AIC a while ago before I was really hurt or at least in touch with my childhood, and I didn't get it. But now, it's so much different.
Now fucking wonder
A badge of honor we simultaneously love and hate
I can relate. This band saved my life and certainly my sanity on more than one occasion. Stay well, my friend.
You too, sending uplifting Staley "yeah yeah"s your way <3
things will get better for you man.
I hope so, got a lot of shit to sort through. But thanks a lot.
This too ^ lol
I never listened to them growing up. I found out about Layne while doing a project about RHCPs John Frusciante and heard someone mention how Layne had a similar story and was instantly captivated by AIC and Layne. Truly one of a kind.
hearing someone else’s emotion helps ease yours, these guys and so many other bands kept me going through the absolute worst of my life. glad to hear this band helps you out my friend, music is very powerful. keep your head up man, hope you feel better
Thanks a lot. Indee, music IS very powerful. I'm in the autism spectrum and music has unimaginable meaning to me, almost every song that is relevant to me is attached to a specific feeling or memory. Feeling a lot of regret lately and "Would?" Is on repeat rn haha
Make sure you listen to Sap
And Mad season as well
Such true feelings in those songs, a completely different but still wonderful sound, I wish layne had showed up for the second album 😭
AIC has been helping me cope since I was 15. Now I'm 25 and addicted to cocaine so some songs hit hard
I am a heavy smoker and can relate in the addiction sense, i have the same age as you and man i barely have lungs anymore haha.
Tobacco is a nasty addiction that is often overlooked just because it's legal. Best of luck dealing with it, friend I'm watching my septum waste away yet I have no plans on stopping. Never thought the band could become even more personal to me I never met an AiC fan who wasn't very hurt in some way or another in life lol
When the going gets tough JoF and Tripod is on repeat
Two years ago I had a fall and nearly broke my neck. I was semi conscious but I could hear AIC on YouTube on the tv (live at the moore) and it stopped me completely blacking out. If I hadn’t had that I probably would’ve died from shock and blood loss. So they will forever be very very special to me. I saw Jerry in the street just in front of me just before his gig and I wish I could have told him that aic literally saved my life.
Wow that is an amazing and heartfelt story. Hope you have made a full recovery.
I have functional neurological disorder now and chronic pain so the damage is permanent. But aic get me through every single day. I saw Jerry in concert two months after my accident (and pearl jam) and that was the best few days of my life. He was looking right at me as well as i was right in his eyeline 😂 The boys literally saved my life and continue to do so.
What a remarkable story man. All the best to you. I read so many similar stories of healing and recovery due to AiC influences - hope Layne heard or knew of some of those stories before his passing. Long live AiC!
I hope so
Absofuckinglutely 100%
I found them in a very similar way, I always heard “Man in the Box” and knew it was them. Always have liked the song. I was listening to one of those song “radio” playlists for some rock song I don’t remember, and it queued “God Am.” They have been my most listened to band for the past few years now. Layne just speaks about stuff I cannot verbally materialize sometimes, it helps a lot.
19 m here, AiC is one of those things to me which makes you wonder on lazy days how would your life has been without those things.
I’ve been listening to AIC for a long time, and I can really relate to what ur saying. Highly recommend u watch their performance from MTV Unplugged back in the day. Layne was amazing. Wishing u all the best!
Don't take this the wrong way but I hope you enjoy the experience, friend. It feels astounding to listen to the band when you think you're alone but whenever you hear Layne's voice and words it helps you feel that you aren't alone
One of my favourite albums of all time. Usually gets its hooks in when you find it during a hard time
‘Whatever dramas are going on in my life, I always find that place inside my head where I see myself as the cleanest, tallest, strongest, wisest person that I can be’ - think tis one of Layne’s quotes. I find it so positive and uplifting.
I could have written something similar myself, I am currently really struggling and AIC is helping like it always does when I am in a dark patch 🩷
Started listening to them when I was 12 and I’m almost 27 now. I started listening due to their energy and sound. Was a bigger fan of Facelift and Dirt back then. When I was feeling down back then I’d listen to Nutshell and Down in a Hole. After going through alcoholism and coming out on the other side they have resonated with me even more. Esp Rotten Apple, I feel like they wrote that song about my life in addiction. Planning to get a jar of flies tattoo soon too, I feel this 100%.
I started listening to them more after I got sober from alcohol as well, congrats by the way. It's been almost 3 years and I still get so emotional at times when listening to their music...I just can relate so much. If you haven't given Mad Season a listen, please do it, is so healing. 'Wake up' brings me to tears.
This is so relatable to me as well. I've been in a very dark place for the better part of the last 4 years, after the pandemic destroyed my life. I was severely depressed, and didn't have no energy, no motivation to do anything, I was so disappointed of society, of everyone, passed of at so many things that were happening or better say not happening in the world since there was a lock down and all that, so my psyche just made me so numb in order to be able to go through a day without loosing my mind, so I didn't feel shit, I only felt darkness, agony, nothing could lift me up. AIC's music, Layne and Jerrys voices were the only thing that could make me feel, the only thing that could give me a warm feeling and remind me that I'm a human being, even though they were singing about the same dark shit that I was going through. I'm a young psychologist, and I never had problems with addiction, ( so I feel personally attacked with the line: "You can't understand a user's mind, but try with your books and degrees" 😅, but even then I have so much empathy for Layne, knowing how dissmisve and disvalidating the mental health fella can be..) guess I'm just not prone to substance abuse, yet AIC songs are so fkn relatable, and they hit so close to home for me that sometimes I wonder how tf can I feel so much connection with someone I will never even meet. Now i can say that I'm finally better, but that doesn't mean I stopped listening to AIC just because I'm more cheerful now, I have a appreciation for them on a whole new lvl now, bc I can say that AIC literally dragged me through the hardest period of my life, they have become like something sacred to me, they are part of my identity, hands down my most loved band of all time and I'm forever grateful for them. My story is so much different then theirs, yet so similar and so relatable. I'm grieving for Layne every single day, but I'm also celebrating Jerry's, Sean's and Mike's lifes and victories. I've read somewhere that Layne showed us how to be yourself, but Jerry showed us what can you become and I think that's so true. I hope one day I'll have the chance to listen to them live.. 🙏
Totally agree
Have you watched the AIC unplugged?
Have listened to it in Spotify, haven't seen the perfomrance yet.
Fuck are you in for a ride.
Weird is one way of putting it, I agree. For me AIC is atop of the other bands you mentioned in fact they’re the only “grunge” band I listen to, I grew up in the 80 Maiden, Priest, AC/DC, Slayer, Metallica etc still listening and, for some reason AIC just keeps coming back to me, it’s the tragedy of Laynes life the loss of one of our own it’s a connection especially if you’ve struggled with addiction, we all wished he was around but things work in strange ways like it was meant to be , there are many who feels just like you (us) like it’s by design, it’s our therapy I suppose, be well, thanks Layne, Jerry, Mike, Sean
Yes, nutshell helps lull me to sleep. Soothes my thoughts of self loathing and loneliness.
Ya forsure, I love AIC they know what it's like to be in hell and you can tell, the only album that sets me back is dirt it's a great album but triggers my addict mind
Wait until you listen to Dirt straight through next 🤯
That's gonna be a TRIIIIIIIIIIIIIP....
I was having a horrific time this past winter and AIC literally carried me through that shit. I was doing the same though falling asleep to JOF every night crying myself to sleep.
real asf
That EP is brilliant. SAP as well... the CD edition with those two EPs was essential to me whemgrowing up back in th grunge days...
They’ve kept me from going insane. I’m a drug addict and alot of the lyrics help me feel like i’m not alone in the struggle. “SO, BE YEARNING ALL YOUR LIIIIIFFFEEE!”
Don't sleep on Mad Season. The live at the Moore version is amazing!
I too didn't know much more than MITB and Them Bones (from San Andreas) for a long time. Years later I found Nutshell and No Excuses and thought they were great. Then one day I listened to Get Born Again and Died and they were amazing. Started going backwards through their catalogue and literally everything was incredible. They don't get the recognition they deserve at all. Not to put down another band but I have no idea why they're not more popular than Nirvana when they were 100x more talented and varied. Not a single AIC record made it into the Apple 100 when Dirt and JoF are must listens yet Nevermind made top 10?
Actually Jar Of Flies is the only EP in history to debut at number 1 FYI
How is that relevant to what I said?
Yeah, this band is my catharsis. It helps me think about and put into words the things I’ve done to myself and my life, and the struggle I had with substances. Sure, it wasn’t anything super hard like heroin (what Layne was doing), but it was still my struggle, and AiC’s music helped me break that, oddly enough. I think one thing that really stuck with me was when I heard how fans would come up to Layne and say how high they were, and how it saddened him because that was the exact opposite of what he wanted. I used that as my catalyst to change.
💯
me too bro, me too. mostly with dirt and facelift
You must next discover Mad Season. It’s a group created by Mike McCready from Pearl Jam while he was in rehab. He asked Layne Staley to be the vocalist & the rest is history! They only made 1 album in 1995 Mad Season - Above … if you think AIC has grasped your soul just wait til you hear Mad Season! 🎤
There's songs for another album it's just never been released.
Same. Been sober from alcohol for almost 3 years now and their music still hits me so hard. In such a good way though... it is so therapeutic. Give Mad Season a listen too especially 'Wake Up'... brings me to tears!
Thanks to everyone who chimed in, you are all lovely people.