Charlotte gets 'Staind'

Ariel Austin
Special to The Johnsonian

Starting in 1995, Staind grew as one of the most influential bands of the decade.  

After forming in Springfield, Mass., the band originally consisted of Aaron Lewis on vocals, Mike Mushok on main guitar, and Johnny April on bass and drummer  Jon Wysocki. 

With powerful guitar riffs and a grunge-gritty voice, Staind has toured internationally and state side multiple times, including one show in December locally in Charlotte.  

Beginning in small Springfield clubs and bars, Staind first broke onto the scene not with original works, but with incorporating covers from bands such as Stone Temple Pilots, Korn, Deftones, Rage Against The Machine, and Alice in Chains into their own lyrics and styles. Because of their bands own angry emotions, these covers completely described how the band felt at the time, but Staind always played at least five songs at every show, including their sold out club shows.  

With influential help from Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit and of course becoming signed to Flip Records, Staind has become not only a great modern rock band, but still brings in a crowd that has been following them since the 90s and even kids who grew up on them and still remember their music.  

The concert in December at the Fillmore, was incredibly intimate, but also gave the feel that the audience was actually back in the 90s at a quaint venue with acoustic guitars and raw emotion.  Even when Staind breaks up or retires, old fans will be introducing them to their children, and a new generation will know how and why this band made the 90s part of the list of great rock decades.