ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist JERRY CANTRELL first made a solo appearance on the soundtrack album for the Jim Carey movie 'The Cable Guy'. In 1998, Cantrell released his first album, 'Boggy Depot'. It was an album that came across like a less Alternative sounding ALICE IN CHAINS. Joining Jerry on the record came bassists Norwood Fisher of FISHBONE, PANTERA's Rex 'Rocker' Brown, Les Claypool of PRIMUS and ALICE IN CHAINS and OZZY OSBOURNE man Mike Inez. ALICE IN CHAINS drummer Sean Kinney was also heavily involved and was to figure in Cantrell's subsequent touring band, taking his place alongside ex-QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Chris De Garmo, former FISHBONE keyboard player Chris Dowd, bassist Nick Rhineheart and COMES WITH THE FALL drummer Bevan Davies. Fortunately the band gained the support slot to METALLICA's North American summer dates. With the conclusion of these dates DeGarmo and Kinney, together with Inez, founded a fresh band project SPYS 4 DARWIN.

Cantrell would contribute his version of 'I've Seen All This World I Care To See' to the WILLIE NELSON tribute album 'Twisted Willie'.

Touring in 2001 had Cantrell backed by the solid rhythm section of former FAITH NO MORE and OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Mike Bordin as well as OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Robert Trujillo. Second guitar came courtesy of Brian Kehoe of M.I.R.V. US dates in April saw support from SWARM, COMES WITH THE FALL and M.I.R.V.

In March of 2002 it would be learned that Cantrell has teamed up with the NICKELBACK's Chad Kroeger and SALIVA's Joey Scott for a new track called 'Hero' to feature on the soundtrack for the 'Spiderman' movie. However, this announcement would swiftly be reversed and instead it appeared Cantrell would be liaising with SOUNDGARDEN and PEARL JAM drummer Matt Cameron on the same project.

During July and August Cantrell's band would play to major audiences as support to CREED. At the Marcus Amphitheater gig in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Cantrell's band would perform the ALICE IN CHAINS track 'Man In A Box' with a guesting TOMMY LEE on the drumkit. Just prior to these shows word had leaked that Cantrell had been in discussions with PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell, NICKELBACK vocalist / guitarist Chad Kroeger and DEFAULT frontman Dallas Smith in regard to setting up a proposed band union.

Cantrell's ongoing tour took him to the UK for a brief run of shows in late September. Back in North America for a series of October headline gigs the guitarist took out MAD AT GRAVITY and COMES WITH THE FALL as support acts, the latter band comprising members of Cantrell's own backing band. During December a revised version of Cantrell's latest album, billed as 'Degradation Trip Volumes 1&2', emerged as a double CD set adding a further 11 songs.

Former guitarist Sean Matthews formed part of yet another PANTERA related act unveiled in January of 2003 as guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul united with DIESEL MACHINE and ex-HALFORD guitarist Patrick Lachman, taking on a lead vocal role, in a project band entitled NEW FOUND POWER. Ex-drummer Bevan Davies united with DANZIG in June. Cantrell would debut his new band, including the COMES WITH THE FALL pairing of guitarist William Duvall and bassist Adam Stanger, in October. The guitarist also made time to guest on the STEVIE SALAS album ''Soulblasters Of The Universe' and the 2004 HEART album, donating a solo to the song 'Fallen Ones'.

Early April saw Cantrell backing erstwhile FREE and BAD COMPANY vocalist PAUL RODGERS for live gigs. The guitarist was announced as a participant in a special 'Velvet Sessions' one off gig in late April at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, Florida, forming up a trio also comprising RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith and ex-DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH singer GLENN HUGHES. However, he would then withdraw from this project. Shortly after, Hollywood rumours suggested Cantrell was rehearsing up a new band unit fronted by ex-MÖTLEY CRÜE, RATT, BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION and THE SCREAM man John Corabi with THE CULT guitarist Billy Duffy and drummer Josh Howser. This outfit, dubbed CARDBOARD VAMPYRES, debuted live on 12th April at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles, at a benefit for the Sweet Relief musicians charity organization. Cantrell's solo band would then hook up with KID ROCK for a series of US dates running through into mid May. Cantrell would jam through encores 'Barracuda' and 'Misty Mountain Hop' at HEART's 1st August Los Angeles Greek Theatre show.

In August Cantrell made public the fact he, alongside Chris Wyse, bassist for Cantrell's "jam" band the CARDBOARD VAMPYRES, were recording a set of cover versions for an OZZY OSBOURNE box set. December found Cantrell performing in rather sadder circumstances as, alongside ALICE IN CHAINS colleague Mike Inez and DAMAGEPLAN frontman Pat Lachman, he gave a short acoustic set of ALICE IN CHAINS songs at the funeral of his friend, PANTERA / DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Darrell 'Dimebag' Abbott.

Cantrell would spend March recording new music at Doug Fieger's studio in Los Angeles working with the JANE'S ADDICTION pairing of Chris Wyse on bass and Stephen Perkins on drums. On 5th August the guitarist turned up onstage at the Hollywood House Of Blues as guests to DAVE NAVARRO's jam band CAMP FREDDY, performing renditions of LED ZEPPELIN's 'Whole Lotta Love alongside David Draiman of DISTURBED and VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash, ALICE IN CHAINS 'Rooster' with David Draiman, TED NUGENT's 'Cat Scratch Fever' with Mark McGrath of SUGAR RAY and DAVID BOWIE's 'Ziggy Stardust' with Billy Duffy of THE CULT.