Metal Mayhem ROC...On The Road with Jerry Cantrell

Mar 13, 2023

Jerry Cantrell (w/ Thunderpussy as Support act)

Wellmont Theater, Montclair, NJ, 11 Mar 2023

Circling the US for the second time to promote 2022 solo album, “Brighten”, famed Alice In Chains founder Jerry Cantrell played to a sold out show in NJ. Backed by six-piece band, including ex-Dillinger Escape Plan Vocalist Greg Puciato. Jerry & company performed a 20-song set showcasing material from his three solo albums, plus the “best of” from the AIC catalog.

For fans such as myself who cherish his solo albums, especially considering his last solo tour was over 20 years ago, this was THE tour to dust off all of those older deep tracks, plus cuts from the superb new album. Also, a little known fact is that the last time Jerry toured solo, William Duvall was the Singer, who of course went on to become a permanent member of AIC in 2006. Fast forwarding to 2023, Puciato delivered in a big way with his powerful singing & energetic stage presence, especially when given the privilege to sing the Layne Staley segments of the songs.

On more than one occasion during the evening, Jerry remarked on the amazing energy of the audience & that this night had been the best show of the tour so far.

Thunderpussy, also of the Seattle region, the all lesbian female rock band, opened the evening playing their brand of garage style rock and roll. Although a somewhat unknown entity to the mainstream audience, they really brought it with their atmospheric, moody & somewhat bluesy songs, plus an overabundance of cool & trippy stage antics. These ladies delivered & no doubt captured the attention of the audience, as evident with the long line at the merchandise booth post-show.