The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), a U.S. government program designed to assist independent venues and artists financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, faced scrutiny when it was revealed that some prominent musicians, including members of ALICE IN CHAINS, received significant funds.
Reports from Business Insider indicate that these artists used a portion of the grant money for personal luxury items, prompting concerns about the program’s oversight and the ethical implications of allocating taxpayer funds in this manner.
It’s alleged that ALICE IN CHAINS received a total of $3.4 million, with frontman Jerry Cantrell reportedly receiving $1.4 million and drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez each receiving approximately $682,000.
While a portion of the SVOG grant received by ALICE IN CHAINS was reportedly used to cover expenses such as equipment rentals and videography, allegations suggest the band did not utilize the funds to provide health insurance for their touring crew.
This includes Scott Dachroeden, the band’s guitar tech and tour photographer, who was diagnosed with cancer in late 2022.
Despite lacking health insurance and being unable to work due to his illness, the band later promoted a GoFundMe campaign on social media to assist with Dachroeden‘s medical treatment. Dachroeden has since passed away.
ALICE IN CHAINS has yet to publicly comment on the allegations.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.