Alice in Chains: 'We're not trying to replace Layne'

By Trent McMartin Mar 3, 2006, 3:37 GMT

Although it’s been confirmed that the three remaining members of the Seattle grunge group Alice in Chains have reunited, drummer Sean Kinney insists that any new material written by the band would not be released under the Alice in Chains name.

 “If we found some other dude, (to sing) I’d love to move on,” Kinney said in a recent interview. “Write some cool tunes and change the name and go on like that. I don’t see continuing as Alice and replacing somebody.” Original singer Layne Staley died in April of 2002 of an apparent lethal overdose of heroin and cocaine, squashing any possibility of a full on reunion.

“We’re not trying to replace Layne. We want to play these songs one more time, and if it seems like the right thing to do, it’ll happen,” Kinney explained. “I don’t know how long it will go or where it will take us. It’s kind of a tribute to Layne and our fans, the people who love these songs. It’s not some ‘I'm broke and I need the money’ situation. We love playing together.”

Kinney also addressed rumours of Alice in Chains appearing on television’s “Rock Star,” which last year starred Australian rock band INXS. As speculated, the producers for the reality show did approach the remaining members of Alice in Chains but thank God they turned the offer down.

The reunited Alice in Chains featuring guest singer William DuVall (a member of Cantrell's touring band) are scheduled to perform March 10 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as part of VH1 Classic’s “Decades Rock Live” homage to Heart.