Alice in Chains

Among the many bands forced to replace a lead singer, Alice in Chains seemed like one of the least likely to succeed. Original frontman Layne Staley was a singular force, his haunting vocals delivering guitarist/songwriter Jerry Cantrell’s darker-than-dark lyrics with an irreplaceable style. The band was essentially over by the time Staley died in 2002 after years of addiction, but a benefit show led to a tour that led to new singer William DuVall joining a reinvigorated band that’s released two strong albums, Black Gives Way to Blue and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, since reforming, and toured like crazy. After selling out the Knit last year, Alice in Chains hits a bigger Spokane stage this time around.