Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez discussed their late Alice In Chains bandmate Layne Staley during a recent Rock Fantasy Camp Q&A. Alternative Nation transcribed their comments. Inez discussed the power of Staley’s voice.
“That’s a musical instrument. You can train it, but you’re born with that instrument. Layne, I hear him on the radio.”
Cantrell sarcastically interrupted, “Just like Mike was born with three testicles. A lot of people don’t know that.”
Inez laughed and added, “I’m a heavy shooter, I’m a heavy shooter.”
He then continued his discussion about Staley’s iconic voice, turning to Cantrell.
“We were blessed by that, and I’m talking about us. You met Layne Staley, and your voices melded that well, same with William [DuVall]. But Layne has that voice. It still brings a tear to my eye when ‘Nutshell’ will come on the radio, or something like that.”
Cantrell added, “A gorgeous voice. A sweet human being.”
Inez said, “Gorgeous, gorgeous. Just the coolest fucking guy, it was a blessing to jam with such a unique voice, that’s a timeless kind of voice. You’re born with that, like my third testicle.”
Alice In Chains are currently in the studio working on their sixth studio album, the band’s first since 2013’s The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here.
