If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em: How Van Halen Protected Themselves Against Alice in Chains

By the early 1990s, the musical landscape was shifting dramatically. Grunge had exploded out of Seattle, and bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains were reshaping rock for a new generation. For classic hard rock giants like Van Halen—who had dominated the late ’70s and ’80s with flamboyant riffs and arena-sized swagger—the rise of this darker, heavier, more introspective movement presented a serious challenge.

Instead of ignoring the new wave, Van Halen leaned into the mantra, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” In particular, Alice in Chains, with their brooding harmonies and punishing riffs, were quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Rather than dismiss the band, Van Halen took the unusual step of aligning with them.

In 1991, when Van Halen launched their For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tour, they invited Alice in Chains to open select dates. At first glance, the pairing seemed odd: Van Halen represented excess, humor, and larger-than-life showmanship, while Alice in Chains embodied angst, grit, and haunting intensity. Yet the strategy paid off.

For Van Halen, the move was a form of protection. By giving Alice in Chains exposure on one of the biggest rock tours of the era, they ensured the younger, hungrier band wasn’t positioned directly against them in the marketplace. Instead of becoming rivals, they became tourmates—and Van Halen absorbed some of the credibility that came with embracing the grunge scene.

Eddie Van Halen even praised the Seattle group in interviews, noting their raw energy and songwriting depth. Fans who might have written off Van Halen as “dinosaurs” of the hair-metal era suddenly saw them as open-minded veterans willing to share the stage with the future of rock.

For Alice in Chains, the opportunity was equally valuable. Playing in front of massive Van Halen crowds gave them exposure to audiences beyond the alternative scene, helping cement their rise as one of the most important bands of the decade.

In hindsight, the decision was savvy. Grunge would dominate the early ’90s, sidelining many of Van Halen’s contemporaries. But by aligning with Alice in Chains rather than fighting against them, Van Halen protected their standing and extended their relevance in a rapidly changing rock world.

It was a reminder of Van Halen’s adaptability: sometimes survival in the music business isn’t about winning outright, but about choosing the right allies.

Want me to add some firsthand recollections from Alice in Chains members about touring with Van Halen to give it more authenticity?