Concert Reports
Alice In Chains
The Pink Slips , Starbenders
08/28/2018, Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles
All Photos: John Patrick Images
Instagram.com/jpimages
Alice In Chains first new album in five years, Rainier Fog, Out Now
The album is available digitally, as well as on CD and limited-edition double 180-gram clear LP with white and black splatter available only from the band's online store HERE.
The first track released from the album is “So Far Under”
About 'So Far Under', Alice In Chains vocalist/guitarist William DuVall says, "It's about feeling completely up against it - outnumbered, surrounded, facing seemingly unbeatable odds and being really pissed off about it. It was inspired by personal circumstances, as well as events in the wider world. But it's not as resigned to defeat as it may seem. The lyric is a cold, hard assessment of a difficult situation but the music has a message all its own. There's still room to flip the script. Every aspect of writing and recording this song will always be remembered with a lot of joy - from recording the basic tracks and the guitar solo at Studio X in Seattle to doing further overdubs at Nick Raskulinecz's studio in rural Tennessee. Everyone in the band and our studio team really stepped up and knocked it out of the park on this one. We're extremely proud of this song and the entire album."
RAINIER FOG marks a few firsts for the band: in addition to being their first album in five years, it's their first album for BMG and their first time recording in their hometown of Seattle in more than 20 years (worth noting that the album title is a tribute to Seattle). They recorded at Studio X, the same facility where they tracked 1995's self-titled Alice In Chainsalbum (back when the studio was known as Bad Animals).
The RAINIER FOG recording process also saw the band spend time at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles and at the Nashville studio of producer Nick Raskulinecz. RAINIER FOG is the third straight Alice In Chains album recorded with producer Nick Raskulinecz and engineer Paul Figueroa. The album was mixed by Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Tool).
RAINIER FOG follows 2013's Grammy nominated The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, which entered Billboard's Top 200 chart at No. 2 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Hard Rock Albums charts and the iTunes Rock Album Chart. Its first two singles, 'Stone' and 'Hollow', both shot to No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and 'Voices' hit No. 3. All three tracks stayed on the chart for over 20 weeks.
Alice In Chains (vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, vocalist/guitarist William DuVall, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez) recently toured Europe with two triumphant sold-out shows in the UK at Leeds O2 Academy and Shepherd's Bush Empire. They are in the midst of another headline tour of North America running from August 22nd in Vancouver. Full dates and ticket info can be found HERE.
Over the course of their remarkable career, ALICE IN CHAINS have garnered multiple Grammy nominations, sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and amassed a diehard international fanbase whose members number in the millions. They remain one of the most successful and influential American rock bands of all time.
The Pink Slips
THE PINK SLIPS arrive with wondrously dark and gorgeous synth-pop, swirling in punk playfulness and danger. It’s a wall of sound, behind bare-naked confessionals, infused with biting social satire and calls to self-empowerment.
Led by Grace McKagan’s clever and powerful alter-ego, Grave, The Pink Slips are armed with all of the glamour and weapons of the past, ready to smash through the disillusionment of the future, while ensuring it’s a revolution we can dance to. It’s Ziggy Stardust, Alice Cooper, and CBGBs in spirit, while altogether modern in sound.
Starbenders
Hailing from the ATL, Starbenders are the half way home for misunderstood misfits, fringers and glam punks.
Front-woman, Kimi Shelter and her gang have concocted a perfect alchemic blend of androgynous rock and roll power with "stuck in your brain" pop melodies. Imagine David Bowie playing 7 minutes in heaven with Debbie Harry.
About Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Welcome to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where European Inspiration meets California Character and the stars always shine. Here, two of California's great compositions meet, as exceptional wine and intimate live music are paired to create an unforgettable wine country experience.
The 3,300 seat boutique amphitheatre is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests are able to immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from May through November and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community. We look forward to sharing our love of wine and the arts with you soon. For more information about the Vina Robles Winery, Click Here
www.VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com