Staind is a multi-platinum New England nu-metal group with hip-hop, modern rock, and post-grunge influences led by the angst-fueled lyrics and powerful vocals of Aaron Lewis. Formed in 1995, the band found mainstream success in 2001 upon releasing their third album, Break the Cycle, which produced the Top Five hit ‘It’s Been Awhile’ and set the table for a pair of follow-up albums, 14 Shades of Gray and Chapter V, that topped the Billboard 200. Staind went on hiatus after the release of their eponymous 2011 effort, with Lewis embarking on a solo country career and lead guitarist Mike Mushok joining Canadian-American rock supergroup Saint Asonia. They re-formed in 2019 as a live entity and eventually returned to the studio, releasing Confessions of the Fallen in 2023.
Staind’s story began in Springfield, Massachusetts, when vocalist Aaron Lewis and guitarist Mike Mushok met at a Christmas party in 1993. Mushok brought drummer Jon Wysocki into the fold, and Lewis’ connection with a bass player (who later left) completed the early lineup. Establishing themselves took time, and extensive touring of the Northeast with other metal acts helped them sell over 2,000 copies of their self-released debut, Tormented. At a Hartford, Connecticut show, Staind opened for Limp Bizkit, and Bizkit singer Fred Durst derided the cover art for Staind’s LP. After a heated conversation over whether the band were Satan worshipers, Durst forcefully returned the offending LP and walked away. But 45 minutes later, Durst was back, not to further the argument but to ensure he kept in contact with Staind. Blown away by their live show, Durst exchanged phone numbers and convinced them to travel to Jacksonville, Florida, to work on the new songs.