During Alice In Chains’ 1996 MTV Unplugged performance, bassist Mike Inez had written the phrase “Friends don’t let friends get haircuts” on his bass guitar. While fans at the time wondered why Inez had written that on his instrument, it was later revealed that it was a playful jab at Metallica who had just cut their long hair.
In a recent interview with Metal Hammer where he answered fan questions, Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell was asked about “Friends don’t let friends get haircuts,” to which he responded:
“That was about the time Metallica cut their hair. They were going for a new look, and maybe some hair was starting to go, so they made the wise decision to not hold onto it too long. Ha ha! They are close friends of ours, there was no disrespect, and I think Mike was just taking the piss. They laughed about it.”
While Inez may have been making fun of Metallica, the incident didn’t affect the relationship between the two bands.
Last month, Cantrell revealed that he would be interested in collaborating with Metallica frontman James Hetfield on new music.
“James and I have talked about it, kind of. We never had a formal conversation but I’ve jammed with him at [Kirk Hammett’s] place. I’ve even spent a night or two at his house, and we’ve ended up with guitars in the kitchen and on the porch,” he told Metal Hammer.
“It’s something I’d be really curious about, even to just write a song with him. As for whether it’d turn into something more than that, he’s got a pretty demanding day job. Ha ha! So I’d understand if it never comes to be,” he added.
