Staind

Staind (/ˈsteɪnd/ STAYND) was an American rock band, formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki (who left in May 2011). To date, the band has recorded seven studio albums: Tormented (1996), Dysfunction (1999), Break the Cycle (2001), 14 Shades of Grey (2003), Chapter V (2005), The Illusion of Progress (2008), and their self-titled album (2011). The band has had five chart-topping singles and sold over 15 million records worldwide.

History

Early years and Tormented (1995–1998)

Staind formed in Springfield, Massachusetts. The band met through friends and started covering Korn, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, Tool, and Alice in Chains, among others, and played at local clubs (most commonly playing at Club Infinity) for a year and a half. Staind self-released their debut album, Tormented, in November 1996, citing influences Pantera and Machine Head. Until recently, the album was difficult to obtain, as only four thousand copies were originally sold.

Staind (album)

Staind is the eponymous seventh studio album by the American rock band of the same name, released on September 13, 2011. The album marks the return to Staind's more aggressive heavier sound that was predominant on the earlier albums Tormented, Dysfunction, and Break the Cycle. The album also returns the guitar solos of Staind's first album Tormented. It is also the last album to feature drummer Jon Wysocki, who left the band following the recording process in May 2011, marking the end of the 16-year-long run of the original line-up.

Background and recording

The making of Staind was a stressful experience for the group. As lead singer Aaron Lewis stated, "By the end of the first month we weren’t even recording in the same places anymore."

A number of factors created some dissension within the group during recording. Despite the deadline on the album's completion approaching, with the album less than half finished, Lewis continued to do solo gigs to promote his solo album Town Line much to the other band members' discontent. Lewis's working relationship with drummer Jon Wysocki broke down completely, though as revealed in their "Making of Staind" documentary, the two had a hard time working together for some time, with guitarist Mike Mushok stating, "It's never come to blows...I'm kinda surprised it hasn't...but that's a tough relationship.", while Wysocki himself stated, "There needs to be some separation.". Wysocki's departure from the group was announced on their website in May 2011.