# Staind
**Staind** is an American rock band formed in 1995 in [Springfield, Massachusetts](https://www.edgepedia.org/springfield-massachusetts), known for a sound that moved from heavy, nu-metal-adjacent rock to melodic post-grunge, led by the angst-fueled lyrics and powerful vocals of singer [Aaron Lewis](https://www.edgepedia.org/aaron-lewis).[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) The band has released eight studio albums, placed three of them at number one on the Billboard 200, and sold over 15 million albums worldwide according to its management.[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) After a hiatus announced in 2012, Staind reunited in 2019 and returned in 2023 with *Confessions of the Fallen*, its first album in twelve years.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) • [2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 24, 1995, Springfield, Massachusetts[3](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/777a21a8-0d0f-4cf3-86b4-65bc0eba5649) |
| Current lineup | Aaron Lewis (vocals), Mike Mushok (guitar), Johnny April (bass), Sal Giancarelli (drums)[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) |
| Classic drummer | Jon Wysocki, a member through the 2011 self-titled album, replaced by Giancarelli later that year[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) |
| Biggest album | *Break the Cycle* (2001), RIAA-certified 5x platinum; spent time at number one on U.S. charts[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) • [4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) |
| Signature single | "It's Been Awhile": number 5 on the Hot 100, 46 weeks on the chart, 20 weeks at number 1 on modern rock radio[5](https://www.billboard.com/artist/staind/) • [2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) |
| Number-one albums | *14 Shades of Grey* (2003) and *Chapter V* (2005) both topped the Billboard 200[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) |
| Comeback | *Confessions of the Fallen* (September 2023) reached number 1 on Billboard's Active Rock Album chart[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) |
## History
**Formation and the Limp Bizkit break.** Aaron Lewis and Mike Mushok met at a Christmas party in 1993 in the New England area, and Mushok brought in drummer Jon Wysocki; the Library of Congress authority record dates the group's formation to November 24, 1995, in Springfield, Massachusetts.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) • [6](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no00010804.html) The band self-released its debut, *Tormented* (1996), and sold over 2,000 copies through extensive touring of the Northeast with established metal acts.[3](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/777a21a8-0d0f-4cf3-86b4-65bc0eba5649) • [4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) The break came on October 23, 1997: after the band's connection with [Limp Bizkit](https://www.edgepedia.org/limp-bizkit), Fred Durst contacted the head of Flip Records, a three-song sampler recorded in Los Angeles led to a record deal by February 1998, and the band played the Vans Warped Tour before recording its label debut.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band)
**Dysfunction and the 2001 peak.** *Dysfunction*, produced by Terry Date, whose credits include Deftones, Pantera, and [Soundgarden](https://www.edgepedia.org/soundgarden), was released on April 13, 1999.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) The follow-up, *Break the Cycle* (2001), spent a prolonged visit at the number one spot on U.S. charts and produced the hits "It's Been Awhile," "Fade," "For You," and "Epiphany."[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) The album is RIAA-certified 5x platinum, and "It's Been Awhile" spent 20 weeks at number 1 on modern rock radio, making it one of the most played songs in modern rock radio history.[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) On the Billboard Hot 100, the single debuted on April 14, 2001, peaked at number 5 on October 20, 2001, and spent 46 weeks on the chart.[5](https://www.billboard.com/artist/staind/) The band's 2002 *MTV Unplugged* release was certified gold.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799)
**The mid-career albums.** *14 Shades of Grey* (2003) and *Chapter V* (2005) both topped the Billboard 200.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) "So Far Away," from *14 Shades of Grey*, debuted on the Hot 100 on August 2, 2003, peaked at number 24, and spent 28 weeks on the chart; "Right Here," from *Chapter V*, debuted June 25, 2005, peaked at number 55, and spent 20 weeks.[5](https://www.billboard.com/artist/staind/) *The Illusion of Progress* debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 in 2008.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) Staind regrouped in December 2010 as a spring deadline loomed for new material, and the self-titled seventh album arrived on September 13, 2011.[7](https://web.archive.org/web/20181122192405/http:/www.staind.com/page/2223627:Page:45) • [4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band)
## Members and side projects
The classic lineup consisted of Aaron Lewis, Mike Mushok, Johnny April, and Jon Wysocki.[6](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no00010804.html) The self-titled 2011 album saw Wysocki's departure, and the band recruited drummer Sal Giancarelli later that year; the current lineup is Lewis, Mushok, April, and Giancarelli.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) • [2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/)
**Hiatus careers.** In 2012 the band announced a hiatus, with Lewis focusing on a solo country career and Mushok joining [Saint Asonia](https://www.edgepedia.org/saint-asonia), the Canadian-American rock group formed with [Three Days Grace](https://www.edgepedia.org/three-days-grace) singer [Adam Gontier](https://www.edgepedia.org/adam-gontier), former Finger Eleven drummer Rich Beddoe, and Eye Empire bassist Corey Lowery.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) During this period Lewis's *Town Line* EP debuted at number 1 on the Billboard country charts and number 7 on the Billboard 200, earning him two CMT award nominations.[7](https://web.archive.org/web/20181122192405/http:/www.staind.com/page/2223627:Page:45)
**Reunion.** Staind re-formed in 2019 as a live entity, playing festival dates and a hometown reunion show that was recorded for the album *Live: It's Been Awhile*; management describes the reunion as coming after a five-year hiatus.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) • [2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) In 2022 the band undertook its first full tour in over a decade.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799)
## Musical style
AllMusic characterizes Staind as a multi-platinum New England nu-metal group with hip-hop, modern rock, and post-grunge influences.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) The heavy early sound of the Terry Date-produced *Dysfunction* gave way to the melodic peak of *Break the Cycle*, whose single "It's Been Awhile" spent 20 weeks at number 1 on modern rock radio.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) • [2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) The band emerged alongside the nu-metal scene through its Flip Records connection and the early Limp Bizkit association, and the 2023 album added electronic elements to the band's signature heavy rock.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799)
## Discography and chart performance
The studio albums are *Tormented* (1996), *Dysfunction* (1999), *Break the Cycle* (2001), *14 Shades of Grey* (2003), *Chapter V* (2005), *The Illusion of Progress* (2008), *Staind* (2011), and *Confessions of the Fallen* (2023).[3](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/777a21a8-0d0f-4cf3-86b4-65bc0eba5649) • [4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) Three albums reached number one on the Billboard 200 (*Break the Cycle*, *14 Shades of Grey*, *Chapter V*), and *The Illusion of Progress* debuted at number three.[4](https://www.staindofficial.com/band) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) Warner Music Japan's official page notes that one release ultimately sold 5 million copies in the United States and that another recorded a Billboard position of number 3.[8](https://www.wmg.jp/staind)
## By the numbers
Management's artist page credits the band with seven studio albums through 2011, eight Top 10 singles, and over 15 million albums sold worldwide; the 15 million figure is a management claim rather than an independently audited total.[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) Verified certifications include *Break the Cycle* at 5x platinum and the *MTV Unplugged* release at gold.[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) "It's Been Awhile" logged 20 weeks at number 1 on modern rock radio and 46 weeks on the Hot 100.[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) • [5](https://www.billboard.com/artist/staind/)
## What has changed since 2023
**The comeback album.** In September 2023 Staind released *Confessions of the Fallen*, its eighth studio album and first in twelve years, produced by Erik Ron, whose credits include Godsmack, Panic! at the Disco, and [Black Veil Brides](https://www.edgepedia.org/black-veil-brides); it reached number 1 on Billboard's Active Rock Album chart, and the singles "Lowest In Me" and "Here and Now" both reached number 1 on the Active Rock chart.[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799) Billboard reported that the band notched its first Mainstream Rock Airplay number one since 2011.[5](https://www.billboard.com/artist/staind/) In September 2024 the band digitally released *Confessions of the Fallen (Deluxe)* with three additional songs, including "Better Days feat. DOROTHY."[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/)
**Anniversary activity and next steps.** The band's official site promotes "Break the Cycle XXV" 25th-anniversary merchandise and a "25th Anniversary Live" video, marking a quarter century since the 2001 album.[9](https://staind.com/) [Management](https://www.edgepedia.org/management) states that the band planned to return to the studio in 2025.[2](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/)
## References
1. [Staind — Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews | AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799)
2. [Staind | Day After Day Productions](https://www.dayafterdaymusic.com/artists/staind/)
3. [Staind - MusicBrainz](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/777a21a8-0d0f-4cf3-86b4-65bc0eba5649)
4. [Staind — Band (Official Site)](https://www.staindofficial.com/band)
5. [Staind | Biography, Music & News | Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/artist/staind/)
6. [Staind (Musical group) — Library of Congress Authorities](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no00010804.html)
7. [Staind: The Story — STAIND (archived official site)](https://web.archive.org/web/20181122192405/http:/www.staind.com/page/2223627:Page:45)
8. [ステインド / STAIND | Warner Music Japan](https://www.wmg.jp/staind)
9. [STAIND — Official site](https://staind.com/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Ensembles and groups › Rock, pop, and metal bands › Rock, indie, and pop groups › Rock bands*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license