Staind are Aaron Lewis (vocals, guitar), Mike Mushok (guitar), Johnny April (bass), and Jon Wysocki (drums). Their brand of melodic post-grunge has served them well with fans, despite being left out in the cold with critics.
They self-released their first album Tormented in 1996 after a year of playing small clubs around their hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts. On the strength of this, they found themselves opening for Limp Bizkit in 1997, impressing enough to sign to Fred Durst's Flip record label, for whom they recorded 1999's Dysfunction.
The album was mauled by critics but won plenty of fans, and during the tour for this album they performed, with Durst, the single "Outside" from the follow-up album. The advance success of this single helped to assure the huge hit that was to become Break The Cycle (2001); although critical acclaim continued to elude them, the adulation of the fans spoke volumes.
14 Shades of Grey was released in 2003 and found them polishing the edges of their alternative rock style to find a slicker sound.
2005's Chapter V was their third US No.1 platinum album in a row, and they followed it with a greatest hits release in 2006, The Singles 1996-2006.
A new album is expected in 2008, and it has been suggested that it will mark a return to rockier territory.
