• Nu-Metal
• Alternative Rock

New England Nu Metal crew STAIND evolved during the early months of 1995. Initially a covers band STAIND's set would include numbers by TOOL, ALICE IN CHAINS and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. By November of the same year STAIND, having ejected an earlier bassist, had settled on a stable quartet of vocalist AARON LEWIS- a former landscape gardener, ex-BAD BOY TRIGGER guitarist Mike Mushok- just wrapping up a degree in electrical engineering, bassist Johnny April, a part time cook come motor mechanic, and drummer Jon Wyscoki and were plotting their first release.

The group opted to self finance the debut record 'Tormented'. It proved a wise choice as the CD launch party demonstrated. 'Tormented' was issued in November of 1996 and 900 people turned out to see the act with over 200 albums being shifted. The record includes a "secret" unaccredited closing track 'The Funeral'. Before long the group's efforts were rewarded with 4'000 CDs sold locally. The band gigged hard opening for the likes of SHED, KILGORE and GWAR amongst others...