It’s Who You Know:
In a business built on connections, Staind almost blew it. The New England group, with a self-released album out, was opening a Hartford, CT, show for Limp Bizkit in ’97.
Bizkit’s Fred Durst was given a copy of the album but seeing what he thought were Satanic references in the cover art, he 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 full 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. Durst subsequently signed the band to his Flip Records.
Onward and Upward:
With a recording contact in hand, Staind joined the ’98 edition of Vans Warped Tour before recording 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,” the most-played Rock song of the decade, and “Outside.”
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 Albums Chart a week after its debut.
It’s All Just An Illusion:
Staind unfurled “The Illusion Of Progress” 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 and straight-up Blues.”
“The Illusion Of Progress” debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, #1 on the Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums Chart, #1 on the Top Digital Albums Chart, and #1 on the Top Internet Albums Chart, with first week sales of 91,800 units. The lead single, “Believe,” topped Billboard‘s Top 10 Modern Rock Tracks.
Headed For The Town Line:
Lewis undertook a solo project that began with some low-key solo performances that evolved into the ‘11 Country EP, “Town Line.”
“These songs are Country in the sense of classic Americana,” said Lewis. “They’re simple, understandable, and founded on quality songwriting.”
Seven Staind:
Just three months after Lewis announced that the band was working on a new album Staind parted ways with drummer Jon Wysocki. Dark New Day’s Will Hunt filled in for select tour dates prior to the arrival of Sal Giancarelli. The group’s seventh album, featuring the single “Not Again,” was going to be called “Seven” but it was re-titled “Staind.”
It sold 47,000 copies in its first week to land at #5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Gone Country:
In the years since “Staind”, Lewis embarked on a successful Country career. Also, guitarist Mike Mushok Joine Saint Asonia.
Staind Returns:
The band reunited in ‘19 for several shows but it was a few more years before recording their eighth album, “Confessions Of The Fallen.”
“I did want to modernize the sound and bring us up to date,” explained Staind frontman Aaron Lewis in a press release. “You can certainly recognize the band but at the same time you can hear that we’ve been paying attention and understand what kind of sounds and approaches we can use that maybe weren’t around the last time we did this.”
The ’23 album was produced by Erik Ron.
“There’s an electronic element that there wasn’t in any of our stuff before,” noted Mushok. “I really think that Erik was really helpful in bringing that element to what we do.”
“Lowest In Me” went to #1 on Billboard’s Active Rock survey.
