Alice In Chains
w/ M-C (Middle Class) Rut
By David Gerhard
Today is a day I thought we’d never see again. Today was the last day of a tour no one every thought could hit the stage again. The tickets read, Sun, March 21 2010 ALICE IN CHAINS. the doors were set to open at 7:00pm but lines started to fill the halls shortly after 5:00pm. Lines of flannel, band shirts and fans of all ages flooded the halls as as much as the doors could hold. I knew that after tonight i could die a happy man and i bet many standing in line with me felt the same. I understand that I hold Alice in Chains on a higher pedestal than most but pick up a CD of buy a ticket and you’ll experience the reason why they can sell out shows and last forever!
The Show kicked of to a light Show playing to a mix of Its Raining Men. It was interesting but so far out of place that it was slightly humorous. Middle Class Rut a.k.a M-C Rut is a band consisting of 2 guys which seemed to fit well with Alice in Chains. The lead singer plays guitar and the drummer looked as though he was attempting to destroy his set every time he swung. I like them but thier 30 minute set seemed like one song. Each song had a similar sound, due to the fact that the singer appears to have a love for held out fading notes and the echo effect with the vocals. They put on a great set and I believe that the CD would be even better. Before finishing thier last set in the tour they said good bye and finished with All Walks of Life. Then they packed up their stage gear and started to load thier van for the final drive home to California. I expect to see more from them in the near future and i recommend you keep an ear out too.
Do you remember the age old lovers saying, If you love them let them go. Well, we let go but never forgot and never stopped listening. The infamous heat began against the curtain. I lights dropped and the crowd stood to their feet and raised their voices even higher. Half way through the first song of their set the curtain dropped and Minnesota got a first hand look at the new face of Alice in Cains. The first thing I noticed was that they hung up the flannel for a new age, clean cut look. A timeless band conforming to the changing times. Listening to Alice in chains play Again was a great show case of William DuVall’s talent to the band and the bands commitment to the past. After giving us a taste of the past, the broke right Check My Brain. Which needless to say sounded better than ever tonight. As the smell of pot and beer filled the Roy Wilkins, i was brought back you my youth when grunge left Seattle and flooded America. During the song Bones, you could tell the tour has taken its tole on them but Alice in Chains never stopped giving us out every thing they promised. from start to finish, they stomped the stage to the floor and worked it like no other band ever has. At this point the crowd was ready to sing along to their latest radio hit. Your decision began to play and the crowd began to sing along. Next Came a moment of silence as we listened to them dedicate the next song to Layne Staley.No other song fit more than the tears expressed in nutshell. Lighters and cell phone lights blanketed the crowd as we swayed together hanging on every word. A few songs down the list was Lesson learned. The stages was light up with the analog snow effect. Which was fitting, given what the songs implying. To finish of the set they played NO excuses, Angry Chair and last but not least Heart Shaped Box. Soon all light disappeared and stayed as they made their way off stage. the night was still young and we needed more. The longer the crowd waited for their encore, the louder they got. Every seat in the Roy Wilkins was used as a stool and every thing hit the floor as they chanted, screamed and clapped with every thing they had. About 3 minutes later Alice in Chains found their way back to center stage to thank the fans for joining them for the last night of the tour. M-C Rut came out to say good night and join the guys of Alice in Chains in a few farewell photo opportunities. The crowd wanted more and one song especially but they’d have to wait a little longer. The encore started off with Love, Hate, Love. Then faded in to Would?. Then the sea of voices let out a war cry and they all cried out for Rooster. All at once the crowd started to hum like they where the choir in front of the stage.What a great way to end a show. Giving Rooster more meaning than that which it did when it was first written.
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/aliceinchains
