The guitarist, Jerry Cantrell, wrote this song about his father who fought in the Vietnam war. His father's nickname was Rooster. Gloria is Jerry's mother. The pictures she sent his father were of Jerry. Mosquito death refers to malaria, which is a deadly mosquito-born illness that was often contracted by soldiers during the Vietnam war. "They spit on me in my homeland" refers to the hostile reception the soldiers of the Vietnam War were given upon returning home to the U.S. The younger generations were strongly opposed to the war and heavily protested against it. Rather than put the blame solely on the U.S. government, where it belonged imo, they blamed the soldiers as well, spitting on them and calling them baby killers when they returned home. I've seen AIC twice. The first time was in 1991 when they opened for the Monsters of Rock tour (Megadeth, Anthrax & Slayer). They'd just released their first studio album, Facelift, and hardly anyone was in their seats watching them because most of the concert goers didn't know who they were yet. I bought their album so I would be familiar with them before the show. It was almost like they were performing just for me. The second time was in Chicago (my hometown) at Lollapalooza, 1993. They were the headliners this time. If you want to hear more AIC, I'd recommend "Rain When I Die" (studio version) from the 'Dirt' album, and "Love Hate Love", live at the Moore. Love your reactions! I can't wait for more AIC! 🤘🎸🥁
Wow, I saw them at monsters of rock too... Twice I was in the Navy saw them at Alpine Valley Wi while I was at great lakes for school then a couple months later in Fayetteville NC with some of my civilian buddies from home. 😁 That's cool hearing from someone else that saw it. . That was an awesome show all around. You're the first person I've seen that even knows of it much less went lol. I was a bass player and at the Fayetteville show it was Frank Bello bassist from Anthrax birthday. They messed with him the entire show it was pretty funny. Take care. 🤟
@@JonLovelace I saw them at Alpine Valley too! Wonder if we were at the same show. Did the people on the lawn start ripping up sod and throwing it on stage while Megadeth was playing? Dave Mustaine almost walked offstage!
Guitarist Jerry Cantrell wrote ROOSTER about his father's experiences in Vietnam and when Jerry saw his dad in the audience at one of their shows when AIC opened for Iggy Pop, and Jerry asked Layne (and the guys) to play ROOSTER and they did. It was the first time Jerry's dad heard Jerry's music and knew that his son understood him through that song. It brought Jerry and his dad closer together. And Layne had a vital part in that reunion. (Meanwhile Layne's own biological father was an opportunist). Jerry's dad was nicknamed Rooster when he was a kid and his hairstyle resembled that of a rooster comb. Although, maybe he used rooster as a call sign during his military career. But he didn't earn the nickname in the military, he had the nickname back when he was a kid. Jerry Cantrell, Sr had multiple tours in Vietnam and like most Vietnam vets, he didn't talk about it. The most he ever said about it was at the beginning of the official video for ROOSTER which he agreed to be a part of after hearing the song. Like all kids who hate their parents, Jerry Cantrell was no different. He was staying in a small guest room in Chris Cornell's house (Cornell was married to AIC manager Susan Silver) and the guest room had a tiny window. He was staying there and thought about what his dad may have experienced and wrote the lyrics. They demoed ROOSTER and WOULD? when they spent two days working on the acoustic songs for the SAP EP. The songs on SAP and those two songs were demoed using the money Cameron Crowe gave them for recording WOULD? for the SINGLES movie. Layne sang the hell out of WOULD? and ROOSTER. The harmony in the beginning and end on the album is Ann Wilson of Heart, but Layne does the harmonies on the official video and live versions perfectly. The Unplugged show in 1996 is so heartbreaking to watch because he was deep in his heroin addiction (and yes, I know he was doing other drugs on top of Heroin). His liver was damaged from the years of drug use. He was just high enough to do the show so he didn't get dope sick and chase away withdrawal symptoms. He was such a ghost of himself during Unplugged. (Of course, Jerry had food poisoning) All Jerry saw when he looked over at Layne was his best friend was going to die soon due to the path Layne had taken with his life. That show was filmed in April, 1996, premiered in May 1996. They did four shows with KISS in June-July 1996, after which Layne survived an overdose and became a recluse. After that, it was a six-year-long slow suicide. With Unplugged... Sean Kinney (drummer) and Mike Inez (bass player) argued with Jerry about whether Layne could even pull off the high notes in some of the songs in his condition, which is why Jerry gave them that “I told you so” smirk after Layne hit that long, high note in DOWN IN A HOLE. He did the same thing again when Layne hit a high note in ROOSTER. Layne was one of the few singers who was always better live than studio version. The fact that Sean and Mike didn’t have any confidence that Layne could do the show and Jerry being the only one that knew deep in his heart that Layne could do it because Layne had done so many things against the odds over the years no matter how high he was at the time. When Jerry needed him to be there where it counted, Layne always pulled through. Knowing how he sang ROOSTER in Tilburg, The Netherlands, in 1993 when his “yeahs” and screams were so loud and high I’m surprised the rafters didn’t come crashing down around him and then watch him sing the same song so low-key on Unplugged knowing he could do to the song what he did in Tilburg is heartbreaking. Knowing he initially sang the hell out of WOULD? on the official video and album and seeing the end of WOULD? on Unplugged . . . and knowing how deep into his addiction he had gotten by that point is heartbreaking. The entire show was a success because Layne DID have a powerful performance despite his condition. He proved to his cynical bandmates that he could still sing the high notes and he pulled it all off beautifully while the same four guys (Metallica) who had mocked him for his addiction sidelining Alice In Chains from ever doing extended tours back in 1994 sat in the front row. The mistakes he made screwing up SLUDGE FACTORY (and I think he screwed up GOT ME WRONG once or twice, but Toby Wright didn’t keep that in editing) were endearing, at least to me. They didn’t take away from the performance, it added something to the performance that, had it been removed after everyone had seen it, wouldn’t have made the show what it was. That line "they spit on me in my homeland." TV News anchor Walter Kronkite basically told the American public that we lost the war and between that and the college kids (who went to college to escape being drafted into the military) would protest the soldiers coming home. They would do protest rallies at the airports and protest the returning soldiers by spitting at them, throwing urine and other stuff on them. An uncle of mine drove a supply truck in Vietnam (to this day he won't talk about his experience). A family friend of ours said that he and his buddies came home, saw the protesters at the airport, and re-enlisted because it was safer in Vietnam than in the US with the protesters. At least in Vietnam, they knew who the enemy was. I'm NOT saying Vietnam was anything the US should have ever been in. I'm just relating stories of people I know who served there. Layne's story is more tragic and haunting because you can actually watch and hear him deteriorate over the 12-year span: from the mild use of drugs in 1990 all the way through 1996 when he was deep into a heroin addiction to dropping to 90 pounds by 1998 to 86 pounds when he died in 2002. Layne kept his humor and wit even to the end of his life. Layne was so much more than his drug addiction. He stacked his own vocals with melodies and harmonies underneath. He was able to come up with lyrics and harmonies off the top of his head. He knew that Jerry Cantrell was playing with the wrong people and gave him contact info for Sean Kinney and found out Sean Kinney was dating original bass player Mike Starr's sister. He wrote the lyrics for the original songs he sang on Mad Season's Above album and drew the cover art for that album. Layne was a genius in his own right. He was able to figure things out in a snap off the top of his head. Layne just had his demons. At the age of 34, he looked more like an 80 year old man. He knew he screwed up, between the drugs and his own depression and then his former fiancee dying, Layne just couldn't find a way to dig himself out of his own mess and at the end with his teeth problems and organs failing on him, he gave up trying. He lost sight of who his true friends were and who was using him. He was never going to give up the drugs. Instead, he tried to attain the same high he felt the first time he did drugs and could never achieve it. Layne encouraged Jerry to sing more, after all, they were Jerry's lyrics he should sing them. Vice-versa, Jerry encouraged Layne to play the guitar which is how you get Layne playing guitar on HATE TO FEEL and ANGRY CHAIR as well as I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING on the Mad Season above album. Jerry encouraged him on the guitar and was proud that Layne grew as a guitarist. Though, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine taught Layne more chords than ANGRY CHAIR and HATE TO FEEL. The friendship between Jerry and Layne was unbreakable. Jerry NEVER once thought of replacing Layne as the singer while Layne was still alive. He always wanted Layne to sing whenever he had AIC do something. If there were ever cosmic soulmates ... Layne and Jerry would be it. (And by that I mean, they were Sympatico with each other. The way they sang together was a perfect pitch where two voices make one. What you hear and see between Jerry and Layne was a genuine friendship. They looked after each other. When one had problems with a song, the other picked up the slack. They were a team. Jerry was doing a solo concert in Charlotte, NC when he heard that Layne was found two weeks after he died and Jerry was trying to get through the concert and crying. He did shows between the time he found out about Layne until Layne's funeral because if he had taken a break then, he didn't think he'd want to continue anything later after the mourning period. Layne had done so much for Jerry, giving him a place to live, money, clothes, food, guitars and gear, a band. But getting a front-row seat to watch what had happened to Layne over the years, Jerry had to watch his best friend deteriorate in a span of 12 years (1990-2002), and Jerry couldn't do anything about it. Jerry had talked himself blue in the face but Layne didn't want help. Alice In Chains was a band, but they were also a family. They had internal issues just like any family. When Layne died, it was like losing a loved one, a family member, you don't think of the fights you had with the person who died. You defend their memory. There is a reason Jerry wrote NO EXCUSES about Layne and the line "You, my friend, I will defend / And if we change, well, I'll love you anyway." "My grandmother and mother were such huge losses, but I got Layne, the guys, and I got this.” - Jerry Cantrell, Kerrang! (December 1, 2018) “Jerry really loved Layne [Staley]. They had a bond I haven't seen before,” Jerry’s former manager Bill Siddons, April 19, 2002 (the day Layne was found two weeks after he died).
The video of this song shows Jerry Cantrell dad talking about the Vietnam war. His nickname is Rooster. Mosquito death was a reference to malaria which a lot of soldiers died from. It also says “they spit on me in my homeland” referencing the hardship Vietnam vets go through on their return home. Great song from start to finish. Another great reaction. Man in the Box is another one with great vocals but if you think you’re ready for EPIC vocals then it’s got to be LOVE HATE LOVE , live at the Moore video. 🤩
"Rooster" was the nickname for M60 machine gunners in Vietnam because when you shot the machine gun, the muzzle flashes looks like the tail of a Rooster.
9:53 "Got my pills against mosquito death." U.S. military in Vietnam were issued quinine pills to prevent malaria, which is carried by mosquitos there.
This song is so heartbreaking and the whole album 'Dirt' is astonishing from start to finish. I'm glad you also enjoyed this absolute classic from the grunge era🖤
There's anti war songs, then there's rooster. It's an emotional experience if you've ever read about the shit US soldiers went through in Vietnam. Hated by their own countryman, killed by their own government with pesticides and fire, fighting in a war they didn't ask for.
‘Rooster’, I feel, is the one song that most accurately captures what it must have felt like to be an U.S. Army regular in Vietnam, and in the Vietnam-Era USA. That is one thing I am really grateful has improved since those times: ‘We oppose the war, but we support the troops.’ Why people couldn’t have thought that way back then, when half the troops didn’t even volunteer in the first place, is beyond me. (Not really HALF, but there were a SIGNIFICANT NUMBER of draftees who were just yanked out of civilian life and hurled into one of the most terrifying war zones of the past 100 years.
It was a nod to his dad who was in the Vietnam war. A sniper with the nickname the Rooster. The music video explains some of it. Awesome song. Awesome band. Try Love Hate Love...thanks
And "pills against mosquito death" is anti malaria medication. This song is about the war in Vietnam, where some 40,000 U.S. troops got malaria. Mosquitoes in Vietnam also spread. dengue fever, and other pathogens.
Love it brother, a great tune. Great vocals, so gritty.❤❤ keep ‘em coming, also its about one of the band members fathers who was in the Vietnam war I believe, his nickname was the rooster
"My mother-in-law is here... ay, she's just going to have to listen to the reaction man, I'm not gonna stop now." 😂😂😂 Definitely subscribed after hearing that intro.
This is one of the few songs I recommend you watch the official video too. Powerful! Another is Primus, "Wynonna big brown never", but for comedic reasons. Greatest video ever! Song is a banger too.
Great reaction. I suggest "Love Hate Love" Live at the Moore next for Alice in Chains. Or "Bleed the Freak" official video also filmed at the Moore Theater.
My favourite grunge band by a mile with this album in my T5 All Time. Always get chills when I watch Terminator Salvation and Marcus is hot wiring a Jeep. Gets it going, and the radio starts playing this. Amazeballs!
Love AIC! Another great reaction! #TEAMCHOPPYDROPS #CHOPPYDROPSWORLDWIDE 'Would' is my fave Alice in Chains song, definitely worth checking out, as well as 'Man in the box' and 'Down in a hole' MTV unplugged version 🎶
‘Mosquito death.’ Yellow fever, malaria. The soldiers in Vietnam had to chew up these giant quinine pills to stave off malaria, which would otherwise have been ubiquitous and fatal.
Mosquito death = malaria. He was referring to the quinine pills soldiers were dispensed during the Vietnam War. Rooster was Jerry Cantrell's dads nickname in the Army. 🤘
Dirt is a legendary album. Check out "them bones" if you want something a bit meaner, more aggressive and heavier. One of the best openers to any album I can think of, it starts with with a brutal punch to the face and leaves you hanging on for dear life. My only criticism is that it is an insultingly short song, I have never been able to listen to it once without replaying it several times over. Oh and FYI Soundgarden and Alice in chains ran in the same circles in Seattle, Chris and Layne did a collab on the EP "SAP" if you ever wondered what they would sound like together. the song is called "Right turn."
If you enjoy the guitar riffs, I highly recommend you check out Jerry Cantrell's solo work. For heavier stuff: Anger Rising, Bargain Basement Howard Hughes. And for the lighter side: My Song, Angel Eyes. I'd love to see you react to that man, keep up the vids much love ❤
If you REALLY wanna hear Layne's vocal amazement, listen to Love, Hate, Love live at the Moor. Words cannot begin to describe how other worldly his voice is, and that's them live.
Thanks Bro, it’s such a hard hitting song, even now after all these years. Besides those already recommended, other AIC favourites of mine are Them Bones, Angry Chair, Grind, We Die Young, and (post Layne, with William Duvall) …Acid Bubble, Check My Brain, Stone
"Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death"...which on it's face is basically a preventative for malaria, but in the same instance his buddy is "breathing hid dyeing breath" likely from being wounded which makes the idea of taking of taking the pills kind of mute.
To add what others are saying. The 70s-90s dealt with the fallout of the physically and emotionally damaged US servicemen returning from Vietnam who were often spit on and called murderers when they returned home. Another example of music dealing with this subject would be One by Metallica. Secondly, I would say about 70% of Alice In Chains songs are written (both music and lyrics) by lead guitarist and co-vocalist Jerry Cantrell. The weirder, darker, and more dissonant music and lyrics about drug addiction (like Junkhead) are written by Layne Staley.
great song, great reaction!!! I was fortunate to see these guys open for Van Halen in 1991 (wow that was a long time ago) for some CHUNKY RIFFS check "Them Bones" and "Angry Chair" on this album!!! THANKS!!!!!
Brooo...amazing😊...but i think It's time to flash you again...react to...Iotunn... Official video....the tower of cosmic nihility.. ...brooo ..the singer and his voice...the drummer...the bassist and Guitarist...😊..let yourself be surprised...you know I won't disappoint you..😅...This band is great and deserves more attention 🤯
I believe the Soundgarden song u were talking about was Slaves and Bulldozers. The pills were to prevent death from Malaria which is transmitted by mosquitos You should definitely check out the AIC songs. Rain When I Die, Love Hate Love, Down in a Hole, Man in the Box, Them Bones, Would? and Bleed the Freak, just to name a few others.
The Vietnam soldiers thought the eagle on the right arm’s shoulder of Jerry Cantrells dad was a rooster The eagle is the patch a American Sniper wore on their uniforms If you got close enough to see the rooster You’re Dead Cantrell dad was a American sniper in Vietnam Mosquito net is too keep them off of you while you were in the jungle
Layne was an angel who was taken down by a heroin addiction. I miss him as a musicain and wonder all the time what the music scene woul be if he had asked for help. If you reading this and have challenges with alcohol or whatever please ask for help. peace ya'll
I’m going to watch this choppy review right now before work with my morning coffee! I also grew up listening to these guys. Rooster was one of there too commercial hits, also the radio song I heard back in the 90’s that started my journey. Layne Staley had his share of troubles with heroine. My favourite release by them is the MTV unplugged recording. Performed live on TV. I tend to lean towards heartfelt music for a more authentic experience, not so much if a manufactured experience. Layne Staley kept it real. You need to check out Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged.
I could recommend Message In Blood by pantera and guarantee it makes the choppy playlist within the first 30 seconds of listening bit unfortunately Team Choppy drops wont help me spam the comments 😢
Check out It ain't like that, Sunshine, Dam that river, if you want heavier AIC. So so many more great ones. So those are my recommendations for now. Also Love hate Love. Seriously. This is my 2nd favorite band of all time behind Soundgarden
I wanted to watch this, Alice in Chains used to be one of my favorite bands. But, I can't listen to this song anymore. I'm an Iraq war veteran, Gloria was my mother in law, "my boy" was 8 years old when I left.
Sev!!!! Not even on my birthday today. That Hurts Man. Aww well i sent cha the money cause i wanted ya to have it. Just really wanted to see that reaction.
No way brother I must have missed your message or comment about your birthday happy birthday for the other day my man! I have added it to the massive list as you can imagine so will definitely get to it haha
@@sevsimo oh sev thanx brother i really appreciate that. I turned 43. I hope you got the other paypal i sent cha as well. Thanx man. So stoaked to see this reaction from you.
Damn straight what a voice! Okay you also gotta check out: Down in a hole, nutshell, man in the box, angry chair, them bones, junkhead, got me wrong, would….and really in of their songs because they are all amazing!!!!
The guitarist, Jerry Cantrell, wrote this song about his father who fought in the Vietnam war. His father's nickname was Rooster. Gloria is Jerry's mother. The pictures she sent his father were of Jerry.
Mosquito death refers to malaria, which is a deadly mosquito-born illness that was often contracted by soldiers during the Vietnam war.
"They spit on me in my homeland" refers to the hostile reception the soldiers of the Vietnam War were given upon returning home to the U.S. The younger generations were strongly opposed to the war and heavily protested against it. Rather than put the blame solely on the U.S. government, where it belonged imo, they blamed the soldiers as well, spitting on them and calling them baby killers when they returned home.
I've seen AIC twice. The first time was in 1991 when they opened for the Monsters of Rock tour (Megadeth, Anthrax & Slayer). They'd just released their first studio album, Facelift, and hardly anyone was in their seats watching them because most of the concert goers didn't know who they were yet. I bought their album so I would be familiar with them before the show. It was almost like they were performing just for me. The second time was in Chicago (my hometown) at Lollapalooza, 1993. They were the headliners this time.
If you want to hear more AIC, I'd recommend "Rain When I Die" (studio version) from the 'Dirt' album, and "Love Hate Love", live at the Moore. Love your reactions! I can't wait for more AIC! 🤘🎸🥁
Wow, I saw them at monsters of rock too... Twice I was in the Navy saw them at Alpine Valley Wi while I was at great lakes for school then a couple months later in Fayetteville NC with some of my civilian buddies from home. 😁 That's cool hearing from someone else that saw it. . That was an awesome show all around. You're the first person I've seen that even knows of it much less went lol. I was a bass player and at the Fayetteville show it was Frank Bello bassist from Anthrax birthday. They messed with him the entire show it was pretty funny. Take care. 🤟
@@JonLovelace I saw them at Alpine Valley too! Wonder if we were at the same show. Did the people on the lawn start ripping up sod and throwing it on stage while Megadeth was playing? Dave Mustaine almost walked offstage!
@@melissavukelic4138 Yes! Had to be the same show.
what she said
Beautifully said and so lucky you are to have that memory...blessed be 💌🇨🇦🤘
Rooster is Jerry Cantrells father who served in Vietnam. Cantrell being AiC’s guitarist/vocalist.
Guitarist Jerry Cantrell wrote ROOSTER about his father's experiences in Vietnam and when Jerry saw his dad in the audience at one of their shows when AIC opened for Iggy Pop, and Jerry asked Layne (and the guys) to play ROOSTER and they did. It was the first time Jerry's dad heard Jerry's music and knew that his son understood him through that song. It brought Jerry and his dad closer together. And Layne had a vital part in that reunion. (Meanwhile Layne's own biological father was an opportunist).
Jerry's dad was nicknamed Rooster when he was a kid and his hairstyle resembled that of a rooster comb. Although, maybe he used rooster as a call sign during his military career. But he didn't earn the nickname in the military, he had the nickname back when he was a kid.
Jerry Cantrell, Sr had multiple tours in Vietnam and like most Vietnam vets, he didn't talk about it. The most he ever said about it was at the beginning of the official video for ROOSTER which he agreed to be a part of after hearing the song. Like all kids who hate their parents, Jerry Cantrell was no different. He was staying in a small guest room in Chris Cornell's house (Cornell was married to AIC manager Susan Silver) and the guest room had a tiny window. He was staying there and thought about what his dad may have experienced and wrote the lyrics.
They demoed ROOSTER and WOULD? when they spent two days working on the acoustic songs for the SAP EP. The songs on SAP and those two songs were demoed using the money Cameron Crowe gave them for recording WOULD? for the SINGLES movie. Layne sang the hell out of WOULD? and ROOSTER.
The harmony in the beginning and end on the album is Ann Wilson of Heart, but Layne does the harmonies on the official video and live versions perfectly.
The Unplugged show in 1996 is so heartbreaking to watch because he was deep in his heroin addiction (and yes, I know he was doing other drugs on top of Heroin). His liver was damaged from the years of drug use. He was just high enough to do the show so he didn't get dope sick and chase away withdrawal symptoms. He was such a ghost of himself during Unplugged. (Of course, Jerry had food poisoning) All Jerry saw when he looked over at Layne was his best friend was going to die soon due to the path Layne had taken with his life. That show was filmed in April, 1996, premiered in May 1996. They did four shows with KISS in June-July 1996, after which Layne survived an overdose and became a recluse. After that, it was a six-year-long slow suicide.
With Unplugged... Sean Kinney (drummer) and Mike Inez (bass player) argued with Jerry about whether Layne could even pull off the high notes in some of the songs in his condition, which is why Jerry gave them that “I told you so” smirk after Layne hit that long, high note in DOWN IN A HOLE. He did the same thing again when Layne hit a high note in ROOSTER.
Layne was one of the few singers who was always better live than studio version. The fact that Sean and Mike didn’t have any confidence that Layne could do the show and Jerry being the only one that knew deep in his heart that Layne could do it because Layne had done so many things against the odds over the years no matter how high he was at the time. When Jerry needed him to be there where it counted, Layne always pulled through.
Knowing how he sang ROOSTER in Tilburg, The Netherlands, in 1993 when his “yeahs” and screams were so loud and high I’m surprised the rafters didn’t come crashing down around him and then watch him sing the same song so low-key on Unplugged knowing he could do to the song what he did in Tilburg is heartbreaking. Knowing he initially sang the hell out of WOULD? on the official video and album and seeing the end of WOULD? on Unplugged . . . and knowing how deep into his addiction he had gotten by that point is heartbreaking.
The entire show was a success because Layne DID have a powerful performance despite his condition. He proved to his cynical bandmates that he could still sing the high notes and he pulled it all off beautifully while the same four guys (Metallica) who had mocked him for his addiction sidelining Alice In Chains from ever doing extended tours back in 1994 sat in the front row. The mistakes he made screwing up SLUDGE FACTORY (and I think he screwed up GOT ME WRONG once or twice, but Toby Wright didn’t keep that in editing) were endearing, at least to me. They didn’t take away from the performance, it added something to the performance that, had it been removed after everyone had seen it, wouldn’t have made the show what it was.
That line "they spit on me in my homeland." TV News anchor Walter Kronkite basically told the American public that we lost the war and between that and the college kids (who went to college to escape being drafted into the military) would protest the soldiers coming home. They would do protest rallies at the airports and protest the returning soldiers by spitting at them, throwing urine and other stuff on them. An uncle of mine drove a supply truck in Vietnam (to this day he won't talk about his experience). A family friend of ours said that he and his buddies came home, saw the protesters at the airport, and re-enlisted because it was safer in Vietnam than in the US with the protesters. At least in Vietnam, they knew who the enemy was. I'm NOT saying Vietnam was anything the US should have ever been in. I'm just relating stories of people I know who served there.
Layne's story is more tragic and haunting because you can actually watch and hear him deteriorate over the 12-year span: from the mild use of drugs in 1990 all the way through 1996 when he was deep into a heroin addiction to dropping to 90 pounds by 1998 to 86 pounds when he died in 2002. Layne kept his humor and wit even to the end of his life.
Layne was so much more than his drug addiction. He stacked his own vocals with melodies and harmonies underneath. He was able to come up with lyrics and harmonies off the top of his head. He knew that Jerry Cantrell was playing with the wrong people and gave him contact info for Sean Kinney and found out Sean Kinney was dating original bass player Mike Starr's sister. He wrote the lyrics for the original songs he sang on Mad Season's Above album and drew the cover art for that album. Layne was a genius in his own right. He was able to figure things out in a snap off the top of his head. Layne just had his demons. At the age of 34, he looked more like an 80 year old man. He knew he screwed up, between the drugs and his own depression and then his former fiancee dying, Layne just couldn't find a way to dig himself out of his own mess and at the end with his teeth problems and organs failing on him, he gave up trying. He lost sight of who his true friends were and who was using him. He was never going to give up the drugs. Instead, he tried to attain the same high he felt the first time he did drugs and could never achieve it.
Layne encouraged Jerry to sing more, after all, they were Jerry's lyrics he should sing them. Vice-versa, Jerry encouraged Layne to play the guitar which is how you get Layne playing guitar on HATE TO FEEL and ANGRY CHAIR as well as I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING on the Mad Season above album. Jerry encouraged him on the guitar and was proud that Layne grew as a guitarist. Though, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine taught Layne more chords than ANGRY CHAIR and HATE TO FEEL.
The friendship between Jerry and Layne was unbreakable. Jerry NEVER once thought of replacing Layne as the singer while Layne was still alive. He always wanted Layne to sing whenever he had AIC do something. If there were ever cosmic soulmates ... Layne and Jerry would be it. (And by that I mean, they were Sympatico with each other. The way they sang together was a perfect pitch where two voices make one. What you hear and see between Jerry and Layne was a genuine friendship. They looked after each other. When one had problems with a song, the other picked up the slack. They were a team.
Jerry was doing a solo concert in Charlotte, NC when he heard that Layne was found two weeks after he died and Jerry was trying to get through the concert and crying. He did shows between the time he found out about Layne until Layne's funeral because if he had taken a break then, he didn't think he'd want to continue anything later after the mourning period.
Layne had done so much for Jerry, giving him a place to live, money, clothes, food, guitars and gear, a band. But getting a front-row seat to watch what had happened to Layne over the years, Jerry had to watch his best friend deteriorate in a span of 12 years (1990-2002), and Jerry couldn't do anything about it. Jerry had talked himself blue in the face but Layne didn't want help. Alice In Chains was a band, but they were also a family. They had internal issues just like any family. When Layne died, it was like losing a loved one, a family member, you don't think of the fights you had with the person who died. You defend their memory. There is a reason Jerry wrote NO EXCUSES about Layne and the line "You, my friend, I will defend / And if we change, well, I'll love you anyway."
"My grandmother and mother were such huge losses, but I got Layne, the guys, and I got this.” - Jerry Cantrell, Kerrang! (December 1, 2018)
“Jerry really loved Layne [Staley]. They had a bond I haven't seen before,” Jerry’s former manager Bill Siddons, April 19, 2002 (the day Layne was found two weeks after he died).
Hell yah tamibrandt! Queen 👸🏼 ❤
So very well said❤🙏❤️🙏
The video of this song shows Jerry Cantrell dad talking about the Vietnam war. His nickname is Rooster. Mosquito death was a reference to malaria which a lot of soldiers died from. It also says “they spit on me in my homeland” referencing the hardship Vietnam vets go through on their return home. Great song from start to finish. Another great reaction. Man in the Box is another one with great vocals but if you think you’re ready for EPIC vocals then it’s got to be LOVE HATE LOVE , live at the Moore video. 🤩
"Rooster" was the nickname for M60 machine gunners in Vietnam because when you shot the machine gun, the muzzle flashes looks like the tail of a Rooster.
That's right... The Rooster tail from M60 and tracer rounds...
Hahahaha. Hilarious with the interruption. Don't stop now!!! It's Alice In Chains. 😂🤣
What doesn’t get mentioned much is how good Jerry’s vocals are. he keeps that low harmony beautifully while killin it on guitar.
Layne passed away by a speedball overdose in 2002, he had an addiction to heroin that controlled ever part of his life by that point.
Gloria is the guitarist mother. This song is about his father being in war in Vietnam. His dad is the Rooster.
Dirt was an incredible album. One of those that stood above everything else coming out at the time.
yep. Dirt was better than anything out when it was released. imo
Mosquito death, malaria sickness via mosquito bite, they had to take pills to fight against it
9:53 "Got my pills against mosquito death."
U.S. military in Vietnam were issued quinine pills to prevent malaria, which is carried by mosquitos there.
I think he got the wrong lyrics. He also asked who's Gloria? When they sang lawyer's send me pics.
This album is a absolute banger :)
This song is so heartbreaking and the whole album 'Dirt' is astonishing from start to finish. I'm glad you also enjoyed this absolute classic from the grunge era🖤
Alice in Chains is the greatest grunge band of all time.
There's anti war songs, then there's rooster. It's an emotional experience if you've ever read about the shit US soldiers went through in Vietnam. Hated by their own countryman, killed by their own government with pesticides and fire, fighting in a war they didn't ask for.
‘Rooster’, I feel, is the one song that most accurately captures what it must have felt like to be an U.S. Army regular in Vietnam, and in the Vietnam-Era USA. That is one thing I am really grateful has improved since those times: ‘We oppose the war, but we support the troops.’ Why people couldn’t have thought that way back then, when half the troops didn’t even volunteer in the first place, is beyond me. (Not really HALF, but there were a SIGNIFICANT NUMBER of draftees who were just yanked out of civilian life and hurled into one of the most terrifying war zones of the past 100 years.
'Rain When I Die' is killer 🔥
nice reaction man !!! the whole "Dirt" LP is just dope - in my top 3 grunge era LPs ( along with Soundgarden's "superunknown" and Pearl Jam's "Vs" )
It was a nod to his dad who was in the Vietnam war. A sniper with the nickname the Rooster. The music video explains some of it. Awesome song. Awesome band. Try Love Hate Love...thanks
Preferably, Love Hate Love, Live at the Moore! It really showcases Layne's vocal talent.
Probably one of my top 5 all time favorites.... Glad you liked it!
And "pills against mosquito death" is anti malaria medication. This song is about the war in Vietnam, where some 40,000 U.S. troops got malaria. Mosquitoes in Vietnam also spread. dengue fever, and other pathogens.
Great reaction as always! Can you please do "Rotten Apple" by Alice In Chains ?
Love it brother, a great tune. Great vocals, so gritty.❤❤ keep ‘em coming, also its about one of the band members fathers who was in the Vietnam war I believe, his nickname was the rooster
"My mother-in-law is here... ay, she's just going to have to listen to the reaction man, I'm not gonna stop now." 😂😂😂 Definitely subscribed after hearing that intro.
😂😂 appreciate you
You are now quite into grunge era. Enjoy it because it's solid as. As for AIC next songs Rain When I Die and Would.
"I might have to take it up a notch "
lifetime sub for that. 😂
😂😂 cheers my friend
RIP Layne Staley and Mike Starr we love and miss you soooo much!!!!
Great Song to Start the Week its now 5 a clock in the morning in Germany 😴Great Reaktion ✌️
This is one of the few songs I recommend you watch the official video too. Powerful!
Another is Primus, "Wynonna big brown never", but for comedic reasons. Greatest video ever! Song is a banger too.
Great reaction. I suggest "Love Hate Love" Live at the Moore next for Alice in Chains. Or "Bleed the Freak" official video also filmed at the Moore Theater.
You can never go wrong with Would
I would recommend ' Bleed the Freak ' Live from the Moore or Love Hate Love from the same show both songs are incredible. ❤
My favorite band & lead singer…Layne Staley #RIPMYLOVE #AIC ❤️💋🤘🏼💪🤩
Lol it's the disease malaria that he was referring to with the mozzies
Right on Sevismo. Great album as is Facelift. Both albums have many bangers.
"Them Bones" from these guys if you want some choppy high energy drops!
Must check out the song, "Love Hate Love" live at the Moore Theater... really showcases Layne's voice.
Thisssssss!
My favourite grunge band by a mile with this album in my T5 All Time. Always get chills when I watch Terminator Salvation and Marcus is hot wiring a Jeep. Gets it going, and the radio starts playing this. Amazeballs!
Love AIC! Another great reaction!
#TEAMCHOPPYDROPS
#CHOPPYDROPSWORLDWIDE
'Would' is my fave Alice in Chains song, definitely worth checking out, as well as 'Man in the box' and 'Down in a hole' MTV unplugged version 🎶
A classic, written by Jerry for his dad. Legendary song off one of the best albums ever, Jerry is the GOAT and Layne was such an incredible vocalist
‘Mosquito death.’ Yellow fever, malaria. The soldiers in Vietnam had to chew up these giant quinine pills to stave off malaria, which would otherwise have been ubiquitous and fatal.
6:29 Sevs is being Kangaroo raided looking for a Rooster 🐓
More grunge. I love it. ✌️
Mosquito death = malaria. He was referring to the quinine pills soldiers were dispensed during the Vietnam War. Rooster was Jerry Cantrell's dads nickname in the Army. 🤘
Dirt is a legendary album. Check out "them bones" if you want something a bit meaner, more aggressive and heavier. One of the best openers to any album I can think of, it starts with with a brutal punch to the face and leaves you hanging on for dear life. My only criticism is that it is an insultingly short song, I have never been able to listen to it once without replaying it several times over.
Oh and FYI Soundgarden and Alice in chains ran in the same circles in Seattle, Chris and Layne did a collab on the EP "SAP" if you ever wondered what they would sound like together. the song is called "Right turn."
This was my fav of theirs for years.
The guitarist, Father was in the Vietnam was and his nickname was The Rooster
Killer band! Layne was great. RIP
If you enjoy the guitar riffs, I highly recommend you check out Jerry Cantrell's solo work. For heavier stuff: Anger Rising, Bargain Basement Howard Hughes. And for the lighter side: My Song, Angel Eyes. I'd love to see you react to that man, keep up the vids much love ❤
A lot of VC during the Vietnam war, would call Machine Gunners Rooster because of the 'Tail' of shell casings coming off the gun like a Rooster Tail.
If you REALLY wanna hear Layne's vocal amazement, listen to Love, Hate, Love live at the Moor. Words cannot begin to describe how other worldly his voice is, and that's them live.
Mr.Rooster is a feathered friend out in the barn getting you up every morning. Spiral Out
Others have gotten here first, but to clarify-‘Rooster’ was the nickname Jerry Cantrell Sr. was given whilst he was IN THE ARMY.
Thanks Bro, it’s such a hard hitting song, even now after all these years. Besides those already recommended, other AIC favourites of mine are Them Bones, Angry Chair, Grind, We Die Young, and (post Layne, with William Duvall) …Acid Bubble, Check My Brain, Stone
Mint reaction bro
Love the reactions!! AIC was the band that brought me around to grunge and are still on of my top five favorite bands.
"Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death"...which on it's face is basically a preventative for malaria, but in the same instance his buddy is "breathing hid dyeing breath" likely from being wounded which makes the idea of taking of taking the pills kind of mute.
To add what others are saying. The 70s-90s dealt with the fallout of the physically and emotionally damaged US servicemen returning from Vietnam who were often spit on and called murderers when they returned home. Another example of music dealing with this subject would be One by Metallica.
Secondly, I would say about 70% of Alice In Chains songs are written (both music and lyrics) by lead guitarist and co-vocalist Jerry Cantrell. The weirder, darker, and more dissonant music and lyrics about drug addiction (like Junkhead) are written by Layne Staley.
great song, great reaction!!! I was fortunate to see these guys open for Van Halen in 1991 (wow that was a long time ago) for some CHUNKY RIFFS check "Them Bones" and "Angry Chair" on this album!!! THANKS!!!!!
Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death refrences malariea
His dad, you unfitltered ozzy. Love you.
If you want some workout music, try Pantera 13 steps to nowhere.
Brooo...amazing😊...but i think It's time to flash you again...react to...Iotunn... Official video....the tower of cosmic nihility.. ...brooo ..the singer and his voice...the drummer...the bassist and Guitarist...😊..let yourself be surprised...you know I won't disappoint you..😅...This band is great and deserves more attention 🤯
Absolut Akkupower! I see it the same way 👍
I believe the Soundgarden song u were talking about was Slaves and Bulldozers.
The pills were to prevent death from Malaria which is transmitted by mosquitos
You should definitely check out the AIC songs. Rain When I Die, Love Hate Love, Down in a Hole, Man in the Box, Them Bones, Would? and Bleed the Freak, just to name a few others.
Gotta get onto Them Bones and love hate love live at the Moore!
Great band
Haha, intro was great! keep up the good work!
The Vietnam soldiers thought the eagle on the right arm’s shoulder of Jerry Cantrells dad was a rooster
The eagle is the patch a American Sniper wore on their uniforms
If you got close enough to see the rooster
You’re Dead
Cantrell dad was a American sniper in Vietnam
Mosquito net is too keep them off of you while you were in the jungle
Rooster was a nickname given to machine gunners in the Army
Layne was an angel who was taken down by a heroin addiction. I miss him as a musicain and wonder all the time what the music scene woul be if he had asked for help. If you reading this and have challenges with alcohol or whatever please ask for help. peace ya'll
You might as just react to every song on this album. It’s that good. Down In A Hole or Rain When I Die.
Mosquito death is malaria.
So he took anti-malaria pills before deployment.
They were all required to do that.
I’m going to watch this choppy review right now before work with my morning coffee! I also grew up listening to these guys. Rooster was one of there too commercial hits, also the radio song I heard back in the 90’s that started my journey. Layne Staley had his share of troubles with heroine. My favourite release by them is the MTV unplugged recording. Performed live on TV. I tend to lean towards heartfelt music for a more authentic experience, not so much if a manufactured experience. Layne Staley kept it real. You need to check out Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged.
Enjoy your reactions. AIC is great. Can’t go wrong. Agree that lyrics are good to have pulled up. Peace.
You always get great request bro no joke, it’s remarkable. Let’s check it ouT!
Them Bones
Man in the Box
We die young
Check out these hard rock bangers
By the Alive in Chains
I could recommend Message In Blood by pantera and guarantee it makes the choppy playlist within the first 30 seconds of listening bit unfortunately Team Choppy drops wont help me spam the comments 😢
Check out "Bleed the Freak" and "Love Hate Love" Live at the Moore Theatre
Check out love hate love live at the Moore
Check out It ain't like that, Sunshine, Dam that river, if you want heavier AIC. So so many more great ones. So those are my recommendations for now. Also Love hate Love. Seriously. This is my 2nd favorite band of all time behind Soundgarden
Alice In Chains- Rain When I Die
Yes Lane Staley was awesome I suggest you listen to RIVER OF DECIET when he sang for MAD SEASON
If you want funky, checkout their song "I know somethin (bout you)" amazing song that is mega funky
Great song
Them bone - Alice in Chains please
you must do " Rain when I Die "
Please check out WOULD. One of the most definitive songs of Grunge music.
This is about the war in Vietnam and mosquitoes over there carried malaria
Definitely need to do Down n a hole or Don’t follow!!
I wanted to watch this, Alice in Chains used to be one of my favorite bands. But, I can't listen to this song anymore. I'm an Iraq war veteran, Gloria was my mother in law, "my boy" was 8 years old when I left.
Sev!!!! Not even on my birthday today. That Hurts Man. Aww well i sent cha the money cause i wanted ya to have it. Just really wanted to see that reaction.
No way brother I must have missed your message or comment about your birthday happy birthday for the other day my man! I have added it to the massive list as you can imagine so will definitely get to it haha
@@sevsimo oh sev thanx brother i really appreciate that. I turned 43. I hope you got the other paypal i sent cha as well. Thanx man. So stoaked to see this reaction from you.
You're having the same reaction mate, we all had back in 1993. Go back an album and do Love Hate Love.
quick, somebody make a comment about Jerry's dad!
🤩
DUDE!!!! Time to react to Orbit Culture’s new track “While We Serve” !!!! Incredible message!!!
Take it way back my brother if we gonna do aic too lol heaven beside you is a golden track
Malaria .... Mosquito death
Damn straight what a voice! Okay you also gotta check out: Down in a hole, nutshell, man in the box, angry chair, them bones, junkhead, got me wrong, would….and really in of their songs because they are all amazing!!!!
Bro. Just do Love, Hate, Love live at the Moore. You won’t regret it
mosquito death is malaria, buddy. yellow fever
The video would help you get a feel for what the song is about.
Hello, friend. Have you perchance listened to any song by the music group The Warning?