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.

A high profile support gig with LIMP BIZKIT in Connecticut on the 23rd of October 1997 would prove a catalyst for STAIND's acceleration into the major league although an initial misunderstanding would nearly wreck the band's chances. LIMP BIZKIT's enigmatic leader Fred Durst objected strongly to 'Tormented's sleeve art believing it to be Satanic. The cover, a photo shoot set up by the band, featured a bible stuck with a knife and a Barbie doll inverted on a cross. Initially the group had been through many printers before they found one willing to handle the job. A heated exchange of views took place between both bands with Durst reportedly throwing the CD on the floor and attempting to get STAIND kicked off the bill. However, after witnessing STAIND's set Durst was converted to the cause.

The band set to work recording fresh tunes and took the opportunity of driving to a later LIMP BIZKIT / DEFTONES gig in order to present Durst with new product. Not being able to locate the singer the band left their tapes with LIMP BIZKIT's DJ Lethal and returned home. A slumbering Aaron Lewis would be awoken by a 2 am phone call from an enthusiastic Durst who immediately set the ball rolling with an offer of studio assistance. STAIND put in a further support gig to LIMP BIZKIT at the Milkbar in Jacksonville in January 1998 prior journeying to Durst's home. However, fate decreed that their fairytale ride to success was running just a little too smoothly at that stage and the group's van duly broke down. Undaunted STAIND had themselves and the vehicle towed to Durst's front door.

A demo session in Los Angeles was convened where STAIND, with production aid from Durst and DJ Lethal, cut three tracks 'A Flat', 'Suffocate' and the acoustic 'Black Rain'. In February of 1998 STAIND signed with the Flip label and soon got back into the live arena putting in further gigs with LIMP BIZKIT as well as shows with SEVENDUST and CLUTCH. Management was secured with The Firm as STAIND secured a slot on the groundbreaking 'Vans Warped' nationwide tour.

The day after coming off the road STAIND were booked into PEARL JAM's Studio Litho in Seattle with producer Terry Date at the helm crafting their Flip debut 'Dysfunction'. A version of the PUBLIC ENEMY / ANTHRAX hit 'Bring The Noise' built around BLACK SABBATH's 'Sweet Leaf' riff was recorded with a guesting Durst. The track would excite huge interest among fans though as it was included on radio promotion samples but left off the resulting public release. The band opted to shelve the track believing it did not fit in with the rest of the material. Also on the album was 'Mudshovel' (a reference to anal sex). Originally cut for the 'Tormented' opus this new version was fully re-recorded and interestingly given a new spelling.

Released in April 1999 the album soon carved its way into the nation's conscious. STAIND would hook up with KORN's gargantuan 'Family Values' tour for more nationwide exposure. Not ones to shy away from their influences STAIND would still often include TOOL's 'Sober' in their live set.

STAIND would also grace the official album culled from the tour donating two tracks in 'Mudshovel' and an acoustic rendition of a new track dubbed 'Outside'. This latter song, originally only added to the 'Family Values' CD as a bonus track, proved so popular it secured the top spot for American radio play for several weeks. By June of 2000 'Dysfunction' had racked up over a million US sales giving STAIND their inaugural platinum album. Interest in the band was riding such a high the group were forced by fans to re-release their 'Tormented' album once more.

Anticipation in the Nu Metal crowd was high for STAIND's third outing 'Break The Cycle' with the band re-recording 'Outside' as a full electric version. Fred Durst still had a hand in the band's career having directed the lead video promo for the single 'It's Been A While'. 'Break The Cycle', selling over 700'000 units in its first week, would quickly scramble past the two million sales mark and garner the band a prestigious Billboard number one. Outside activity has seen Aaron Lewis guesting as backing vocalist on COLD's '13 Ways To Bleed Onstage' and, naturally, with LIMP BIZKIT on the song 'No Sex' off 'Significant Other'.

STAIND would feature heavily on the live compilation album issued in 2002 culled from the 'Family Values' American tour donating 'Fade' and 'It's Been A While'. Aaron Lewis would also be spotlighted solo with 'Black' and turn up as guest on LINKIN PARK's 'One Step Closer'. The frontman broadened his career objectives in October, announcing the formation of his own record label and his first signing LO-PRO.

The band's May 2003 album '14 Shades Of Grey' succeeded in moving 220,946 copies to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as its predecessor 'Break the Cycle' neared the 5 million marker. STAIND singer AARON LEWIS embarked up a set of acoustic solo dates in the Spring of 2004, commencing on 7th May in Uncasville, Connecticut.

STAIND partnered with 3 DOORS DOWN and BREAKING BENJAMIN for Summer 2005 dates launching in Manchester, New Hampshire, on 30th June and running through until September. Amongst these gigs was a notable appearance on 9th August at Boston's City Hall Plaza as part of the "Fusion Flash" concerts and coinciding with the issue of the 'Chapter V' album. Announced only 5 days beforehand and marketed via text messaging the show drew over 10,000 fans. First week US sales of over 185,000 copies saw 'Chapter V' land at no.1 on the Billboard album charts. European gigs were announced for September but then cancelled. US concerts commencing mid November would be dubbed the "Fall Brawl", packaged with Atlantic label mates P.O.D. and TAPROOT plus Texas rockers FLYLEAF.

STAIND announced a 2006 touring campaign to commence with US February gigs allied with THEORY OF A DEADMAN and LOSER upfront of European gigs in March alongside SEVENDUST and PANIC CELL.

A November compilation album, entitled 'The Singles: 1996-2006', sold over 27,000 copies in its first week of sale to debut at number 41 on the US Billboard charts. Aaron Lewis conducted solo concerts in December, including a five night run at the Uncasville, Connecticut Mohegan Sun Cabaret.

'The Illusion Of Progress' emerged in 2008. Folowing completion of STAIND's summer 2009 U.S. 'Stimulate This' tour, which featured SHINEDOWN, CHEVELLE and HALESTORM and had kicked off on 1st July in in Peoria, Illinois, Aaron Lewis set to work on a solo album.