Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains
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- Опубліковано 21 тра 2019
- "I still enjoy the feel of the guitar on my hands. It’s really exhilarating to stand on stage in front of people... to elicit an emotion from them and to feel that emotion yourself, it’s a transfer of energy and that’s really the whole thing."
In this episode, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains discusses his inspirations in music and guitar and his lifelong pursuit of tone.
String Theory is a web series from Ernie Ball that explores the sonic origins of some of music's most innovative players.
Jerry Cantrell plays Ernie Ball Regular RPS Nickel Wound Electric guitar strings: ernieb.al/2kWWgxT
Watch additional episodes of Ernie Ball: String Theory here: ernieb.al/1QtdTx9
Ok but can we talk about this mans lyrical ability as well? Dude is a true poet.
He also 2 solo albums, if u haven't checked them out, I recommend them! Degradation Trip and Boggy Depot are the names of the albums
Seriously though. Stuff he writes blows me away. Man can write some nasty riffs and on top of them writes some of the best lyrics I've ever seen. True songwriter
Shivam Babubhai I’ve been meaning to listen to those for TOO long, man...thanks!🤘
Facts. Jerry Cantrell is one.of the best lyricists in rock period. And I'm a hip hop dude. I see the bars
When you factor in his singing/lyrics/guitar playing and overall songwriting he’s a god, one of the best songwriters ever.
His tone is ginormous. Such thick, sludgy wall of sound. One of the true heirs of Tony Iommi but super original in his own way.
@Edward st.antoine NO
@Edward st.antoine get out
Edward st.antoine you’re not welcome. No seriously before people find out where you live, get out 😂
Iommi set the tone excuse the pun lol for generations to come back in 69, yup that's when Sabbath's first album dropped late 69, silly boy.
Yes. I always thought there was a connection between Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains. Both were slow and heavy while having a creepy vibe
Jerry Cantrell... never clicked so fast !
Same.
"Alice in Chains lived in a world Black Sabbath merely suggested."
@WORST CHANNEL EVER rick beato ep. 13
ironically rick beato is the best channel ever
Rick Beato didn't write that line he was reading their music bio from Itunes. Cool line though it does describe Dirt especially. They made Sabbath seem a little silly. Love Sabbath too though.
@@sigulvbauermeister8994 correction, he quoted a description on itunes
@@MrEvergreenLayne I disagree, man. I love AIC, but Sabbath wrote so many iconic tunes.
Jerry, and Alice In Chains were such an incredibly influential band. "Dirt" is an absolutely timeless masterpiece from the early nineties.
Easily one of the best bands to come out of the 90s
Agreed
Really wish Layne Staley was still around so they can make few more albums together
Also criminally underrated
Jar of flies is a timeless masterpiece as well
Cantrell has always had a knack for writing riffs that are just a bit "off". They begin like any standard riff, but when you think it should go in a certain direction, it takes a sharp turn and throws you off. It's absolutely fantastic! They're not so complex that only music nerds can understand them, but they're not so conventional as to be mundane or boring. Them Bones is a great example of that. Hollow is another one. AIC and Jerry do get tons of recognition, but I feel like Jerry himself doesn't get anywhere close to the praise the guy deserves.
The real genius to his playing is his ability to build tension and a sense of unease. Its story telling without speaking a word.
Exactly what I thought about that riff in Them Bones, too.
He doesn’t get enough praise/recognition. He’s a genius when it comes to writing music. I’ve said what you just wrote time and time again that he doesn’t get near enough praise.
His solos are even weirder - lol
He has a great musical sense. He knows how songs are supposed to flow. He plays in a lot of odd meter but his stuff is always catchy. He’s a great riff writer. He makes playing simple sound musical. Someone compared him to Iommi and I’d agree. He has a very similar style. Sludgy and doomy riffs that are great to sing harmony over. Cantrell is the man.
This video is too short but thank you Ernie Ball for listening to many cantrell fans!
Alice in Chains is one of the best bands ever! Cantrell is badass! Such a cool dude
Jerry Cantrell is a living legend.
So true!!
The Riff Lord. Awesome guitarist and humble bloke.
Tony Iomme
Muthafokin' Jerry Cantrell, his playing style has aged gracefully. Such a massive sound
Huge
Here's the songs he played:
0:00 Them Bones
2:31 Acid Bubble
5:57 Red Giant
7:34 Acid Bubble
2:31 is all parts from acid bubble. He also plays another riff from acid bubble at 7:34
Incredible tone. One the best of all time.
Jerry "ya know" Cantrell.
Legend.
I think the thing everyone forgets about jerrys playing is how he mixes beauty and darkness. While he has crushing riffs he also creates great melodies that fit great with harmonized vocals
The melodies he and Layne did are like a slice of heaven. Two voices working perfectly together
No one forgot
@@DaveTaste 😎exactly 👍🏻
Nobody forgets that.
He’s a rock and roll treasure. Immediately recognizable tone, such a rare quality. How Randy Neuman is in the Hall of Fame and Alice In Chains isn’t, is a mystery to me.
Jerry Sparks
Lol... What’s with the Randy Newman hate?
He’s had a very long, very illustrious career.
Considered by many to be a superb songwriter.
But yes... Alice in chains should be in the HOF.👍
@@BillMcGirr he just isnt really "rock"
Connor Martinson
I’ve been to the HOF in Cleveland...
You’d be surprised how much not rock is in there.🙄🤣👍
It's because now days the hall of Fame is so politically driven that you have to buy your way in it.
Jerry is our Iommi! He sure didn’t invent the dark riff but he mastered it. Iommi, Page and Malcolm are all is his playing. It’s all in there but it’s all him at the same time. Just a master of simplicity! Hardly ever lets the solo outdo the riff.
Yeah, Jerry Cantrell is a master, unique. TOTAL effectiveness in genial guitar simplicity...you know...many guitarists are technically way superior (and I like some guitarists like that)...but they are like robots and I can't listen for way too much to them...Cantrell has soul and spirit.
And the feeling of Gilmour
Ivan Garcia totally agree! Gilmore is a little more technical but that soul is definitely there in Jerry’s solos. The solo in Time is actually my favorite solo of all time! Just soulful without taking anything away from the song. It adds to the whole instead of saying look at me!
He even has some cool old school bluesy country influences in his writing. Dude is a legend
Great guitarist and humble guy.
He always make me smile, but then I feel sad, I see sadness in his eyes.
He has seen death up close.
It's the people that have been experienced death that learn to appreciate life the most.
That’s beautiful and so true. It’s why I fucking love the band Death. It makes me wanna live! 💀
Dying a little makes you appreciate life. From a Jerry solo song, locked on I think
He has seen so many close to him die. Andy Wood, Layne, Cornell, Dimebag. He lost his grandmother and mother (who essentially raised him) within months of each other before Alice formed.
That tone is such a meaty boi, Jerry is one of my biggest inspirations
He's my 5th favorite guitarist in my second favorite band
Cool man, nice pic, my favourite Metallica album
@@CJ_YT. And they're my number 1 favorite
Why do people use words like “meaty boi”? It sounds really immature to me, like something a 12-13 yr old would say. Idk to each there own I guess, no hate just genuinely wondering.
Will
I really don’t know man, I just picked it up from friends and people on the internet, I personally use it because I find it funny
I was listening to the dirt album when I got a notification for this.
"You are that thing that shifted"
Could not agree more.
Seeing Jerry mean mugging the camera whilst playing them bones makes me happy
it's hard to describe how much i respect his musicianship, he's such a great rock guitarist and almost impossible to imitate, i also like how calm and nice he usually is
His tone is larger than life...
Such a cool humble artistic genius as well.
Just. So brutal. He sounds like a mystic sage as the deliverer of a tone most brutal and heavy.
I just gotta' say it... No disrespect to any band of that era, I like all of them, but the Cantrell/Staley partnership was by far the best. I know, it's my opinion, but a majority of comments on UA-cam seem to favor them. I was 30 when Facelift came out, and already had over 20 years of listening to Hard Rock/Metal music beforehand, these guys took it to another level... Will always be a fan. by the way, I think Jerry has earned the right to have a signature Ernie Ball/Music Man Guitar... There, I feel better.
Leddy Gee... I see what you did there btw!! I agree with you %1000000 Layne & Jerry were the Lennon & Mcartny of our day... Better in my opinion,!!!
@@foldingcakeismyname9749 Thanks for that... I don't feed trolls, Life is to short to deal with morons.
@@layneinchains3373 👍😎😁
@@leddygee1896 no problem Rush are the Shit. Too bad Neil retired.
@@foldingcakeismyname9749 Led Zeppelin was my gateway band in the beginning in '69 when i started listening to them. But Rush is another thing altogether... For 3 members, they are yet to be matched and probably never will be.
The thing I love about Jerry is that he was always a songwriter first, and a guitar player second (not to mention, an intelligent lyricist). Sure, he isn't the most technically savvy guitarist out there, but he always wrote really great songs, and memorable riffs - much like his heroes Toni Iommi, Ace Frehley, Angus Young. Jerry also has such a recognizable tone and playing style. Within two notes of an Alice song, you recognize his playing. Alice, to me, is the best band of that scene. Their music still sounds so fresh. Those songs are legendary and stand the test of time. Hopefully someday they get what they deserve: an induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which I feel is merited and overdue.
He's a riff master too
Well put ol boy
Amen!
Whale and Wasp. Probably my favorite Cantrell moment. Euphoria & bliss tucked into a thriving place in time.
its a shame that too often people crap on that song because it feels kind of out of place in the record... but I think its a cool little song and melodically very interesting.
It’s the only instrumental I’ve heard that can make me cry. Basically that whole album is a masterpiece besides the last track.
I don't get why people act like it isn't one of the better songs on Jar Of Flies. It's by far my favorite song on that album
Glad someone loves that song asmuch as me
That riff in acid bubble. One of my favorite.
right? and such a meaty fucking tone too.
he has chilled out a lot in the last few years… he became uncle Jerry!! great
I see Jerry Cantrell, I click. One of the most underrated guitarists and songwriters of all time, he is a legend!
Facelift and Badmotorfinger are the 2 absolute heaviest albums of Seattle Grunge
AIC and Soundgarden leave the other Seattle bands in the dust. Nirvana included.
facelift is my favorite AIC album but Dirt is definitely a heavier album. facelift has some really heavy songs on it but Dirt was fucking dripping in that same heaviness. down in a hole is basically the only sonically soft song on the record but its still heavy in demeanor.
facelift has a few more jams that are less heavy and more fun, like I know something, sunshine, put you down, confusion. Real thing kind of borders between heavy and not heavy. it has that guns and roses thing going on. The A side of facelift is all heavy as fuck, and the B side is all their more funky and experimental shit. but both the A side and the B side of Dirt is heavy right down to the bone.
Bleach by Nirvana was kinda heavy,
Not really that hard to be. Grunge was as heavy a jello.
Finally someone agrees with me. I've said that for years . Also I've said Soundgarden and Alice in chains we're first. An I don't even think Soundgarden and Alice in chains were really grunge .they were more hard Rock. Layne Staley and Chris Cornell said that in an interview way back in the early 90s on MTV when MTV played music. Man you also got me thinking , don't forget about Stone Temple pilots, candlebox, Pearl jam album ten . God I miss the 90s.
My top 10 since 1990. Amazing player, writer, person etc.
You have to love someone who plays G&L
I normally play pointy metal axes but there is something about g&l that just feels so right to me. Especially his sig super hawk!
Don't forget about the VH inspired guitars in his cabinet.
all 4 of them.
seriously though, im really surprised G&L didnt become hugely popular when Alice was on top of the world in the 90s. they arent anywhere near the cost of a les paul, but perhaps every kid just wanted a strat because kurt cobain played one.
My first G&L got delivered today!. It's a bright red 1987 invader. Really wanted a Jerry Cantrell Rampage but couldn't find them anywhere. And out of nowhere this popped up with an unbeatable price tag and had to jump on it! I love it
The fact this guy is so humble on top of being so talented makes him Loved even that much more, such a down to earth and grounded dude!
Just saw them live. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Still rocking hard in 2019
I saw 'em earlier this year, too. One of the best nights of my fucking life.
True testament to Jerry and the other boys Sean and mike as well as Will, they lost one of the greatest singers of all time and are still putting out great music and have one of the best live shows in the business. Absolute legends
What a big sounding guitar 💯
By Far one of the best riff players, song writers and singers of my generation.. thankyou
From a drummers perspective this guy is a drummers dream. Incredible player.
Jerry cantrell =MONSTER MUSICIAN AND ARTIST !
that Red Giant riff
Around 6:30 correct?
@@MrLiveroo yeeaap
The new album is very good - especially So Far Under.
@@marshallgeorge3819 yea i love the new record actually i find it easier to listen to than the previous one
@@marshallgeorge3819 Yeah I'd say So Far Under is my favorite on the album too but I actually think William wrote that riff and not Jerry. Still a cool song though. I've not liked any of the William albums as much as any of the Layne ones but they are still solid and some of the songs are actually quite cool.
Highly underrated. Pure tone beast, riff king. Slaaaay
A grunge guitarist highly respected by metal guitarists back in an era when metal musicians used to hate grunge musicians. That says a lot about Jerry. Alice in Chains were never "grunge". They actually were the true evolution that many other metal bands from late 80's never reached. Alice in Chains is the "metal of the 90's".
Yeah but was AIC really grunge??? Sure they were in that time frame but to me they were more hard rock/metal than grunge.
@@stranger5088 Precisely, they weren't. They always were heavy metal, in my humble opinion. I associate the term "grunge" to "generation X punk", to put it simple (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Sonic Youth). That's why I also think Soundgarden were actually a prog-psychodelic band and Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots were hard rock bands.
@@stonerdemon aic always hard rock at best for their most heavy sound. But they had way softer side too. So overall alternative hard rock band cant put in a specific genre. Grunge singers had a raspy voice which layne did and seattle scene so yea. A lot of things comes into perspective
@@pipebombhs1412 nah them bones is metal as fuck. Grunge was really just a movement not one specific genre. AIC were hard rock/alt metal/metal and were considered that by many of their peers.
Everybody said they were metal, Jerry did, Layne did, other metal bands to, then they got the grunge label slapped on them since they were from Seattle, they sound nothing like Nirvana and STP, Nirvana were more punk, I think the term grunge should be used to refer to the Melvins or STP.
I could listen to the Them Bones riff all day
just saw him and rest of AIC perform live 5 days ago and that's my highlight of 2019
Alice in Chains one of the best bands of all time #DedByDezine
100% agreed!!!!
Was...until Layne passed.
@@misterblack6521 stfu..
Mister Black they’re still one of the best bands around and their live shows are just killer
Been one of my fave guitarists ever since Facelift assaulted my senses with the planet levelling tones he's unleashing here. I've always, always preferred guitarists who "serve the song" and Jerry is undeniably one of THE masters of this.
Great video. Jerry Cantrell changed my whole outlook on guitar. When I first heard Grind, Them Bones, Sludge Factory and Dam That River I was completely changed as a guitarist. Thanks for the video Ernie Ball.
Sludge God. Cantrell’s tone is timeless. Long live Alice 🔥
Damn that opening tone!
Hes playing "Them Bones" for the first song in the beginning
one of my all time favourites . his riffs are undeniably heavy and memorable!
3:41
Man that part of acid bubble always gives me goosebumps...
Living Legend
You can see why Jerry is so loved and respected by fans and other musicians, including his own musical heroes.
He is one of the most under appreciated musicians of the last 40 yrs
That’d be Travis Meeks - Cantrell is universally respected.
The almighty rifflord!
Cantrell plays some crazy ass riffs while singing, he’s a genius
One of my favorite players! That man knows TONE!!
Master Cantrell, too underrated
Even though Jerry is not really considered a metal guitarist he has a heavy ass sound, heavy as anyone, his riffs are nasty and have a serious badass vibe, love his sound, plus we are both from the Tacoma area, he is a legend out here
His playing has such a great feeling, no need of flashy stuff or crazy no sense shredding... Just the right amount of notes, and not to mention that killer tone...
Easily one of the best Guitarist of all time in my opinion
Man in the box.. would.. rooster..black gives way to blue..grind..nutshell ...😍
So all of their popular songs.
@@googly311 hmm..wonder WHY those songs are popular.
@@chrisbrown3549 if you're about to say "because they're the best", just stop. Too many times people only like the hits of really good bands. Not true fans
what about all the OTHER great songs the radio doesnt touch?
Sea Of Sorrow, love hate love, Junkhead, Dirt, I know something, got me wrong, rotten apple, no excuses, over now, sludge factory....... motherfuckin FROGS!!! ...........
acid bubble, hollow, all secrets known, a looking in view, Voices.......
the list could go on and on. Jerry has been cranking out consistently incredible tunes his whole damn life.
Love hate love
Damn... looks like I’ve been playing “Them Bones” wrong all these years LOL
skinny fist ...Yeah, it’s a tricky riff to get right. I never knew about the 5th position notes until about 10mins ago... LOL :)
Iam_Dunn it goes 5th then up to 17
Your bad ears
Jerry, you are the man! You inspire to play my guitar every day.
The best of the Seattle sound for sure, Alice in Chains never got enough credit at the time, but I think their music has aged better than any of the other bands from that time and genre. Jerry and Layne, that shit was magic.
They got loads of credit in the 90s.
SOUNDGARDEN too my friend.
This mans music/band is forever embedded in my heart and soul. He’s the reason I picked up guitar. Their music is awe inspiring, and I can’t think of a better band in my opinion. Long live Cantrell, long live Alice In Chains, hail the mighty tone!
I can't pick up my guitar without beefing out a few alice in chains riffs. He really is one of the greats. Not even just on guitar, but as a songwriter.
metallaholic hahaha same on guitar! And I couldn’t agree more man!
I assume if you’re a big AIC fan you love solo Jerry like degradation trip? That album is so fucking good and underrated, one of my favorites. He just finished his new solo album so I can’t wait for that shit to come out soon, whether it’s solo or AIC Jerry always delivers
His best riff as an opener, what could you wish more
Couldn’t agree more. Though I came pretty hard when he started playing “Red Giant”.
underrated guitarist. one of the best of the riff based guitarists. black gives way to blue is an amazing album, and of course all the staley days albums
Everything that ever happened is underrated hey
Looking forward to this series. Couldn't have chosen a better guitarist to kick off the premier! #AIC
David Yurchuk they did others before this. They did I believe a7x and Daron Malakian and some other guitarists
@@scoopskiii Ok, cool, thanks. I got an email saying, "Watch: The Premiere of String Theory with Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains," so I assumed it was the first episode.
I love all the varieties of gauges that Ernie Ball provides. I use them all on my guitars.
And Jerry has such a cool style. One of the greats for sure.
Hell yeah, absolutely killer tone!
One of the best riff writers of all time!
He’s such a lovely person!! It’d be so fun to have a conversation with him
I love jerry!!! So humble.
I've been waiting for so long...
Jerry Cantrell is an amazing artist overall. Period.
Great musician, great songwriter, pretty underrated singer
We love you Jerry! Keep it up Brother!
Badass. Love hearing him play Acid Bubble & Red Giant.
In my next life I sure hope I'm Jerry Cantrell he's got to be the heaviest sounding guitar player ever I can never turn up the stereo loud enough when their songs come on so clean and crisp and loud I'm sure grateful I still have the ears to listen
The tone of mid gain and high gain running together! When I met Cantrell in London in 2009/2010 he basically said to achieve more clarity with a single amp on high gain was near impossible. So to have that metal edge he ran a high gain amp and for the note clarity he ran another amp on a mid gain setting. That is how you hear every note and not just mushy gain.
So cool how he got that EVH Music Man back, I love watching the 92 or 93 New Year’s Eve performance when he used it
The playing, the tone, the lyrics, the voice. Such a dude.
I love his sound! It's so unique and powerful. He's the main reason that I love AIC! 🤘
Absolutely.. the best ax man, bar none...thank you Jerry for doing & being all that you do!! And thank you, for AIC...KEEP ON, KEEPING ON
Jerry's riffs are like giants who stomp a village.
I swear he does not write a bad riff..and down to fucking earth..
Such a talent! The EVH Goldtop has some hot sauce. Loved the tone.
That was at one point stolen from him and he got it back recently I think.
That one and the blue one were gifted to him by EVH after they toured with them in 91 and jerry asked if Ed would give him a "deal" on one and Ed said fuck that dude when your broke no one will give you shit but you become famous and they give you everything so let me do that for you! Jerry came home to a garage filled with 5150 cabs and head units and those 2 guitars!! He about shit!! 🤟🤟
I saw Jerry Cantrell in November 2002 in Houston during his Degradation Trip tour. He went on stage at 22:45 and played until 2:30 AM. It was at a smaller more intimate venue, best concert I have ever witnessed. I try to relive that show in my head sometimes.
What an honor for Ernie Ball to have Jerry Cantrell in their " Rooster"...
Awesome clip - living legend.
Great series ! Very well shot, directed, sound recorded. You can tell the subjects are comfortable. Well done Ernie Ball boys !
Whoo, that tone! Please keep doing these videos, Ernie Ball. So awesome and inspirational 😀
Always a joy to listen to Jerry Cantrell. thanks for the vid and congrats to all the crew behind it.
The video looks great and sounds fantastic.
Insane awesome tone , I ❤️this man .
Really enjoyed the combination of interview and his playing.
I'm really digging this series keep it up and keep em coming!!!
I can still remember when I was about 13 and one of my friends had the radio on while we were hanging out. That was the first time I ever heard "Man in the Box". Up to that point, I had never heard anything that heavy in my life. Still one of my favorite songs to this day.
Beautifully done Ernie Ball! Please keep this coming!
Excellent interview. Excellent musicians. Fantastic guitar strings.
What an amazing, introspective human being and musician. WOW!