"THIS STAIND IN ME" - Topic Powered by eve community

So I am enrolled in this course Universe of Music, and the final paper consisted of anything in music as long as it tied to some certain required aspects. I decided this would be the prefect chance to write about Staind. This is my first draft, if you care to read it do so. Go easy on me, my citations have not been finalized so don't acused me of plagarism. There are many aspects of Staind i did not get to reach someday i would like to write more but this is all I could manage due to page limit and material needed to be covered. I look forward to reading comments if you have the time to read it. Thank you......

This Staind in Me

Rock bands have come and gone since the start of the music genre. Beginning as a style of music misunderstood by parents and loved by the younger generation. For some bands it is the opportunity to purely make money, obtain all the drugs, and drown in the fame of a rock star. Unfortunately for those bands, their careers start to diminish upon their start, leaving no memories or permanent footprint in music history, just the forgotten one hit wonder. For the few true bands who manage to break through the cycle and do it for nothing more than expressing themselves and making real music, their struggle is one to be heard and never forgotten. One such band that has reached to millions is Staind, the Massachusetts based band consisting of Aaron Lewis, Mike Mushok, Jon Wysocki, and Johnny April. They have opened the minds of many in a more recently overflowing business of meaningless music. It seems they were destined to reveal the world to a new light, as they create a very diverse and highly connected fan base. Under classification Staind is found under post-grunge, hard rock, and alternative metal and rock, a combination creating one general genre of fairly new American based music. Staind has grown to become a group of many colors and surprises, today’s music world has changed drastically and the fight for recognition has become more difficult than ever, with the majority of popular or main stream music holding no importance in their messages. For now Staind lives off their humble ways and powerful messages that are appreciated by their incredibly loyal fan base.
The mid to late 1980’s was a time of great confusion and anger for many of the young generation of the US. Pressured from a world that did not accept their ways, looking for a path to follow, thus soon arose a style of musical expression called alternative metal. In ways different from heavy metal this creation was not specific in any form, instead it began very loosely as bands moved away from traditional metal ways and worked off different sources. Ian Christe describes the start of the genre saying “These bands never formed a distinct movement or scene; rather they were bound by their incorporation of traditional influences and openness to experimenting with the form, usually by way of their eclectic influences and uncommon approaches (Christe 2003).” It all began around the mid to late 1980’s in the United States, branching off from alternative rock, free jazz, heavy metal, punk rock, and a few others. The basis for instruments in an alternative metal band consists of a guitar, bass, and drums. This music became a source of ventilation for these lost individuals. They were able to find others to connect with through the power of alternative metal. The variety of bands from this genre expressed different messages which expanded the fans into different sections.
Stainds’ small beginnings grew into what they are today thanks to their incredible versatility and deep connection to the people in need of inspiration. The members of the band all share different pasts of pain and use music as a source of expression, Mike Mushok explains in an interview saying “It’s also a positive vent for some angrier emotions that myself and Aaron and the rest of the guys have… We tried to go out and do something a little different (Lepage).” It is also the darker side that allows fans to relate and vent in the form of listening. Their unique talents coincide and allow them to create a sound that people can relate to on many different levels, as Mark Lepage explains “Lewis brings the pain without resorting to histrionics, and his band mates weave themselves throughout the songs with concise shifts and remarkably sensitive dynamics (Leapge).” Their fans consist of both males and females from the youth of their generation and beyond, and of not only America, but around the world.
They are still not credited to the degree they should be, their work by today’s parents or critics is not taken for what it truly is, as Hilburn explains “rock critics generally have been as slow as parents to notice that Staind may be helping rock turn a page by showing that the young audience is ready to emerge from its decade of darkness (Hilburn).” In this aspect they may be misunderstood, but it is the fans who have gained hope through this music. The song most commonly used to refer to Staind would probably be “Its Been a While” the song that demonstrates the message they are trying to put out there. According to Hilburn “The message is that it is possible to move beyond the issues of low self-esteem that sometimes seem crippling to young people. The song’s narrator has reached a point where he has begun to see life in more positive terms and accept responsibility for some of his past mistakes (Hilburn).” Those who have followed Staind have been able to grow as the band has grown, out of darkness and into the light by taking in a new outlook on life.
The boys of Staind hold a towering sense of humility and strength in their beliefs which has kept them together over the years, allowing them to continually and successfully produce good music. By strictly staying true to the musical aspect, they are able to ignore the added temptations and distractions that come with the fame of rock stardom. According to Joe Dempster “they’ve always had a special ability to shut out most of their external pressures and distractions, an affinity for focusing on the task-at-hand to detriment of virtually everything else in their seemingly troubled lives (Dempster).” It is one thing to make hit songs and make a living, but to keep hold of your morals while climbing the social ladder is another thing. In an interview Mike Mushok said “We try not to get involved with too much of the business side of things- especially when we’re focused on being as creative as we can be (Dempster).” From this determination and loyalty they have been able to work together for the past decade. By avoiding the abuse of technology (in an attempt to better the sound of music), they stick primarily to what they naturally have. This allows them to be considered true musicians and not only prove they have skill in their craft, but also have the ability to provide an extreme impact and memory full live performance upon every concert.
Today the ever changing popular or main stream music scene is drowning with computerized sounds and injuring vocal messages. The battle for bands like Staind to get recognition and play time on the radio is now much more difficult, the music that is popular consist of nothing more than a catchy beat and meaningless lyrics. Aaron Lewis comment’s in an interview saying “There are a lot of artists out there, from the way Britney Spears dresses to some of Eminem’s talk about smacking [women] and beating up girls that really don’t think about the impact they are having on these young, moldable lives (Hilburn).” Staind is having a much tougher time trying to reach out to a wider audience with this immense obstacle of up-to-the-minute main stream music.
Music is dying in the sense that it is deteriorating music of importance and value, and ultimately giving the power of voice to people who say nothing of significance, but more so, damaging. According to Hilburn “One reason Staind is easy to overlook is that its music isn’t artful in the way that meets the usual critical standards (Hilburn).” This has caused a major shift in the voice of music; music itself is an incredibly powerful voice. Staind being them selves can do nothing but be true to themselves and their music. Following the trend is not something they do. Aaron Lewis explains his feelings about the matter saying “I think nobody cares [about Staind] anymore. No one wants to see videos from us anymore. We’re not the hip flavor of the moment. We don’t wear jeans that are our sister’s, and we don’t wear our hair purposely messed up. And we don’t hit our snare drum 500 times in one song. So we’re not what’s cool right now (Harris).” Aaron touches several different problem areas in the music scene today. The music that is popular now has attracted a new audience, has changed them completely. People do not realize how fake and harmful the new trend is.
Stainds’ existence has been one that will truly never be forgotten by many who have been touched by their music. Their words speak louder to some than others, but their message is impossible to ignore. They will continue to produce musically as long as the fans still want to listen. Robert Hilburn explains saying “Staind is a standout in dark rock not for its song craft, but for a straightforward style that speaks directly to fans (Hilburn).” It is this voice that made them who they are today, and will ultimately keep them in the spotlight of fans hearts for years to come.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Christe, Ian. “Sound of the Beast.” The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy
Metal. Cambridge; HarperCollins, 2003.
Dempster, Joe. “Staind: Making Their Mark.” Hit Parader Magazine December
(2001)
Harris, Chris. “Staind Aren’t What’s Cool Now.” October 4 2006.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542342/20061004/staind.jhtml. 4/17/07
Hilburn, Robert. “They Only Connect.” Los Angeles Times November, (2001).
Lepage, Mark. “The Reign of Staind Falls Mainly on the Pained.” Spin Magazine
August (2001).

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Posts: 70 | Registered: 28 November 2006

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