1 SHOW PREVIEW: Layne Staley Tribute and Benefit Concert w/ My Sister's Machine

April 5th, 2002 was a sad day. It was the day that it was announced that Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley, my local music hero, had been found deceased from a drug overdose in his U. District apartment. He of course had become a recluse in his last years, closing himself off to the world while he slowly took his own life. I can certianly tell you that despite being well aware of his intense struggles and their morbid nature it was a still massive blow to finally learn of his passing, even after coming to terms with the situation long before.

A few months after his death, Layne’s mother Nancy McCallum announced the formation of the Layne Staley Fund, a non-profit aimed at raising money for drug treatment in the Seattle music community. Along with this announcement came a tribute and benefit concert featuring one of Seattle’s most underrated hard rock acts and old friends of Layne-- Second Coming. It was a beautiful evening that began in a way that I will never forget, and to this day still have no idea who was responsible. The room darkened and a group of silhouettes took the stage. They then proceeded to perform the most breathtaking live version of “Whale and Wasp” (strings and all) that I have ever heard-- spot on to the “Jar of Flies” version. Layne’s mother also began a tradition that night which she has upheld for the last 8 years of the benefit concert-- a touching sing along with her son on Mad Season’s “Wake Up”. In this first show, Second Coming even added a special moment of their own, playing the Layne crooned "It’s Coming After" from their 1994 debut record LOVEvil, that featured Staley on guest vocals.

Fast forward now to 2010, we reach now the 9th annual Layne Staley benefit concert happening this Saturday at Showbox at the Market. After a number of questionable bookings over the years, some names I cannot bring myself to mention here, we have a special noteworthy surprise for this year’s show. 90’s heavy rockers My Sister’s Machine will reunite for the first time since their demise in 1994. Frontman Nick Pollack was a close friend of Layne’s and even played in an early version of AIC. My Sister’s Machine found heavy rotation on KISW locally with a dark, heavy, melodic but not quite metal sound-- not all that far off from a style that Alice in Chains was paving the way with their breakthrough masterpiece, “Dirt”. Pollack's voice notably showed a strong reseamblance to that of his childhood friend as well. For a short time My Sister's Machine also found themselves in the spotlight like many Seattle bands of the time, touring with the likes of Pantera, White Zombie, and Suicidal Tendencies. As a youngster their debut record “Diva” was on heavy rotation in my bedroom along with follow up "Wallflower", both records I still own to this day.

Also on the bill is Shawn Smith and his project “All Hail the Crown”. I now declare this the year of Shawn Smith. The man has been everywhere in 2010, dusting off, writing, and treating local fans to some of the best music of his entire career. Villains of Yesterday and Gunn & the Damage Done open as well.

On Saturday, you have a rare opportunity to revisit the past with a band that at one time ruled the local airwaves and clubs. I also, recommend taking this opportunity to pay your respects to the late, great Layne Staley in the name of a good cause. The vibe at these shows is typically upbeat and you can feel the intense love for the man and his musical legacy in the room.

{Layne Staley Fund Benefit w/ My Sister's Machine, All Hail the Crown w/ Shawn Smith, Villians of Yesterday, and Gunn and the Damage Done at Showbox at the Market on Saturday, August 21st, $18adv/$20doors}

Words by Nik Christofferson