Staind
It's Who You Know:
In a business built on connections, Staind almost blew their's before it started. The New England group was opening a Hartford, CT, show for Limp Bizkit in '97. At the time Staind had a self-released CD. Bizkit's Fred Durst was given the CD but seeing what he thought were Satanic references in the cover art, Durst returned the disc without giving it the hoped for listen. Well, what are you gonna do? Staind hit the stage and delivered one of their trademark high intensity shows. After the set, Durst was back again. He'd seen the concert and decided to shelve any suspicions regarding Staind's religious beliefs. Staind and Durst exchanged phone numbers and promised to stay in touch.
Waiting on Durst:
Though Staind had Durst's phone number they weren't able to hook up. Limp Bizkit's intense tour schedule kept getting in the way. Finally, out of frustration, Staind drove to a Boston Bizkit show and personally dropped off a demo tape. Durst thought the tape was great and convinced Staind to record their new songs in Jacksonville, FL. They did, then continued to re-work the material. Durst then signed Staind to his Flip Records. Nice guy, that Durst.
Onward and upward:
In early '98, with a recording contact in hand, Staind joined Vans Warped Tour. Returning from the road Staind recorded their full-length debut "Dysfunction" then it was back out with Kid Rock and a summer tour with Limp Bizkit. In May of '01 Staind released "Break The Cycle" featuring the ballad "It's Been A While" and "Outside."
Christmas is the time for getting together:
Staind's vocalist Aaron Lewis met guitarist Mike Mushok at a Christmas party in '93. Mushok persuaded drummer Jon Wysocki to join while Lewis enlisted a bass player who was later replaced by Johnny April.
 Staind |
I Gotta Kid. Things Are Different - I Think:
Married for five years and with a daughter, Zoe Jane, Lewis changed his lyrical direction. There's more to life than just black. "14 Shades of Grey," was released in '03. Changing course once again (or returning to angst Rock), Staind released their fifth album, the aptly titled "Chapter V," in '05. The album hit the top of the Billboard Album Chart a week after its debut.
By Any Other Name:
Staind recorded an acoustic show at New York's Hiro Ballroom for inclusion in a "Greatest Hits" album. During the set they played their own hits plus covers of Tool's "Sober," Alice In Chains "Nutshell" and Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb." The '06 album was named "The Singles" before finally being called "The Singles: 1996-2006."
It's All Just An Illusion:
Staind unfurled their sixth album "The Illusion Of Progress," with lead single "Believe," in August, '08. "We went into the studio with the mind-set of making our heaviest record yet," explained Lewis, "but the record that came out has flavors of Pink Floyd (see above) and straight-up Blues."
The group marked the album's release with a performance at New York's Times Square as part of the Hard Rock Cafe's Ambassadors of Rock Tour. The show benefited VH1's Save the Music Foundation.
Staind's "Dysfunction," produced by Terry Date (Soundgarden and Pantera), is a good start. "Mudshovel," "Just Go" and "Home" got most of the attention but the churning "Suffocate" and Lewis' roar on "Spleen" are also in there. Riding on the strength of "It's Been A While" and "Outside" the follow-up CD "Break The Cycle" is a stronger, more cohesive effort. The songwriting is tighter and the hooks have more punch.
Arguably, one of the biggest differences between Nu Metal and old Metal is that the Nu guys figured out the power of the ballad much quicker. A ballad is more likely to become a pop hit. A pop hit is the entrée to a broader, if less faithful, audience. On "14 Shades of Grey," "So Far Way" (with strings even) and the fatherly "Zoe Jane" cover that ground admirably. But the good news is Staind has come out with a Rocker of an album. The ballads are still there but they are less pronounced than on their previous effort. The potent opening track "Price To Play" and the bitter "Yesterday" give the album some bite. A little off the accelerator is the accessible "How About You" and the tribute to the late Alice In Chain's frontman "Layne." The song dwells on the connection between singer and fan (Lewis) and it even lifts AIC's sound.
Staind has a well developed melodic knack with catchy hooks . And Lewis is more than able to sell the drama. If it is a tad predictable, at least they can execute.
On "Chapter V," Lewis is back delivering angst driven lyrics - so much for the "14 Shades Of Grey" approach. With "Run Away," "Right Here" and "Paper Jesus," "Chapter V" is a collection of good songs but, as with previous efforts, Staind doesn't venture much beyond its comfort zone. Fans, and there are a lot of them, don't seem to care.
Can't argue with the songs on "The Singles: 1996-2006." But the added acoustic tracks (including "It's Been Awhile") fall short with Lewis' reading of "Comfortably Numb" being the most intriguing.