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1980s

Revisit That Time Alice in Chains Were a Hair-Metal Band

Alice in Chains, Layne Staley

Years before they snuffed the roosters, Alice in Chains were once a hair-metal band. If you’ve been a fan since their 1990 debut album, Facelift, then this revelation might not shock you. On the other hand, in a recently posted live video from 1986, it’s kind of a (quiet) riot to see the late, great Layne Staley in all of his spike-mulleted glory. Posted by former band member Johnny Bacolas, the clip has Alice N’ Chains (note the “N”) appearing onstage at Seattle’s Kane Hall, where they sound mysteriously committed to fashioning themselves after Ratt, Poison, and, oh, Bulletboys. All together now: God bless the internet.