Alice In Chains & Shinedown Among Artists Named in New Report on COVID-19 Relief Fund Spending

Alice In Chains and Shinedown are the latest artists to come under scrutiny for their use of financial aid received during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). These initiatives, designed as lifelines for the entertainment industry during lockdowns, have faced increasing criticism for potential misuse.

A newly published Business Insider report sheds light on how these funds were allegedly distributed, revealing significant allocations to top-tier artists. While no outright fraudulent activity has been reported, the findings raise questions about the transparency and intended use of these programs.

Alice In Chains: A Closer Look

The report highlights the financial distributions received by Alice In Chains through SVOG:

On March 23, 2022, records show, the Alice In Chains singer and guitarist Jerry Cantrell took in $1.4 million as an “SVOG distribution.” The band’s drummer, Sean Kinney, received the same amount, while its bassist, Mike Inez, booked $682,000.

In total, $3.4 million of the $4.1 million grant allotted for payroll went to the three musicians.

Despite receiving these funds, AIC Entertainment — the band members’ touring business — reported $48 million in income from selling their music catalog just one month prior. Additional income from merchandise and profit distributions further bolstered their financial position in 2022.

While the band did allocate some funds toward staff payments and production costs, they reportedly did not use grant money for employee benefits like health insurance. One notable case involved longtime guitar tech and tour photographer Scott Dachroeden, who was diagnosed with cancer in late 2022. A GoFundMe campaign was shared on social media to cover his medical bills, as he lacked health insurance. Despite claims that the band offered support, sources suggest Dachroeden received little direct financial aid. He passed away shortly after his diagnosis.

The band’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment.

Shinedown’s Grant Allocations

Similarly, the report examines how Shinedown utilized their $8.3 million SVOG grant:

Three of the four members of the rock band Shinedown split at least $2.5 million of the grant. Additionally, each member received over $100,000 from the $1.2 million allocated for payroll.

Meanwhile, the band’s 15 touring-production workers received a combined $650,000 — less than a single band member’s individual share.

Shinedown’s publicists have also not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Industry Controversy

This investigation is the latest in a series of reports questioning how high-profile musicians and venues managed federal relief funds. Previous reports have named Slipknot, Korn, Nickelback, and The Smashing Pumpkins among recipients, sparking debate about fairness and oversight.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul has been vocal about the lack of transparency in these programs, questioning whether the funds truly supported struggling staff or were misallocated. His 2023 Festivus Report raised similar concerns, but no allegations of criminal misuse have been substantiated.

As the industry continues to recover from the pandemic, this report adds fuel to the ongoing debate over the allocation and impact of relief programs like SVOG and PPP.

What are your thoughts on how federal relief funds were distributed during the pandemic? Should there be stricter oversight for such programs? Let us know!

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