Staind

About Staind

The members of Massachusetts's alternative metal act Staind aren't happy boys. They employ thick, grinding riffs, brutal drumming and lead singer Aaron Lewis' classic, anguished rock vocals to speak out for everyone who feels like they've been having a bad day for most of their lives. Staind have sold millions of records and enjoyed heavy MTV and rock radio rotation but they still play down their rock star status, opting for anonymous hoodies instead of flashy leather jackets. Since forming in 1995, Staind have never changed their lineup, a testament to how well the musical combination of vocalist Lewis, guitarist Mike Mushak, bassist Johnny April and drummer Jon Wysocki all work together. The musicians met in Springfield, MA in 1995 after discovering they shared an appreciation for similar music. They began jamming and covered songs by influences like Korn and Rage Against the Machine. They gigged around Boston's infamously tough hardcore scene for a year and half before recording their debut full-length, the raw and heavy Tormented. Around this time, they also befriended nu metal poster boys Limp Bizkit and Fred Durst helped produce their subsequent albums and directed their early videos. In 1999 they released their break-through disc Dysfunction which featured one of the band's best known singles, "Mudshovel." After touring with Bizket on the Family Values Tour, Staind released their second classic album, 2001's Break the Cycle. The album contained many of Staind's signature dark tracks including "Outside," "It's Been Awhile" and the surprisingly tuneful and tender "Fade."