Better known as a member of Alice in Chains, but his musical life started well before he replaced the band’s original lead singer, Layne Staley after his tragic death in 2006.
William DuVall’s music career dates back the early 1980s in Atlanta’s hardcore punk scene where he co-founded Neon Christ in 1983.
In mid 90s he formed Comes with the Fall, who released three studio albums before transitioning into Gerry Cantrell’s backing band in 2002. But it doesn’t stop there! He is also a band member of Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, a rock super group which included musicians from bands like Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Mars Volta and Dethklok.
Tonight, support is provided by Ali Horn, a Liverpool based artist, best know for being part of the Strange Collective, with his own unique take on psych rock It is worth checking his latest album ‘Balcony Boys’.
Just after 9pm the imposing figure of William DuVall makes his appearance on stage. Every inch of his being oozes rock star cool, from the trademark curls and shades to the beaten up leather jacket. No backing band, just him and not one, but two acoustic guitars!
Starting with ‘The 3 Wishes’ from his 2019 acoustic album ‘One Alone’. It’s a great warm up for his powerful vocals. Alice in Chains’ ‘Never Fade’, is the first and last track by his former band of the evening, much to the disappointment of many in the audience.
Throughout the set William intertwines songs from the Comes with the Fall back catalogue with numerous covers, which creates a fantastic combination and the perfect recipe for brilliant evening as the crowd got more involved.
Amongst covers we hear The Beatles’ ‘I Should Have Known Better’ as well as his interpretation of songs by artists like Bowie, Aerosmith, Prince, Madfly and also a lively acoustic interpretation of ‘Blood Moon’ by another of his former bands, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra.
He finishes the set with ‘Till the Light Guides Me Home’, opening track from his 2019 album. Typical of the tracks on the album, it is an opportunity for him to let loose the guitar, not unsurprisingly, he’s pretty good at it!
This evening has uncovered a completely different side to the talents of DuVall. As an acoustic set it really worked, a perfect balance of power and virtuoso musicianship and gave a lot of joy to the fans. You can now count me as one of them!
Words and Pictures: Tom Adam @tomadampics