Softer side of Lewis comes out during solo, acoustic set

Lighthearted may not be an adjective often used to describe Aaron Lewis. With his shaved head, tattoos and piercings, he cuts an imposing figure, an image appropriate for the intense frontman of the nu-metal group Staind.

Lately, though, Lewis is getting noticed as a solo acoustic artist, taking a more laid-back approach to his angst-laden, introspective songs.

“They (the audience) definitely end up seeing a side of me that they didn’t know existed,” he said to the Hartford (Conn.) Courant. “I’m quite lighthearted throughout the whole thing. I’m cracking jokes and cracking on myself and cracking on people in the audience for saying stupid (expletive).”

Lewis will show his softer side during a Jan. 11 stop on his “Have Guitar, Will Travel” tour at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino.

His solo show features acoustic versions of Staind songs such as “So Far Away,” “It’s Been Awhile” and “Outside.” Fans also will be treated to an eclectic mix of covers, which could include “Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog, “Puff the Magic Dragon” or “On and On” by Stephen Bishop, according to an Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, S.D.) story.

“I don’t have a set list,” said Lewis, who also takes audience requests during his performance. “I never have a set list. I just go out there and do it. Play as many songs as I can remember to play as far as Staind or stuff that I’ve written.

“And, you know, pull covers out of my butt. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I know four or five hundred covers. I’ve been playing these solo shows since I was 17. So I know all sorts of covers, some of which you might not expect,” he said.

The singer-guitarist got his start playing cover tunes in bars in the New England area before he formed Staind in 1995.

“That’s how I survived for a long time before Staind,” he said in a past interview with Best Bets. “Now, back then I was getting $100 a night — to play three sets.”

Staind — Lewis, guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April and drummer Jon Wysocki — toured extensively and self-released its debut, “Tormented,” in 1996.

The band signed on with indie label Flip and later was picked up by Elektra Records with help from Fred Durst of the band Limp Bizkit. Staind released its second CD, “Dysfunction,” which was a big hit in 1999.

Its biggest seller was 2001’s multimillion-selling “Break the Cycle,” which had the hits “Outside,” “Fade” and “It’s Been Awhile.” The follow-up in 2003, “14 Shades of Grey,” was another chart-topper with a radio hit in “So Far Away.”

The band’s fifth CD, “Chapter V,” made its debut at No. 1 on the sales charts in the summer of 2005. In November 2006, Staind released a retrospective CD, “The Singles 1996-2006.”

Lewis told the Courant the band is working on a new studio album, due out in 2008. He also plans to release an album and possibly a DVD of his solo performances.

In the meantime, he said he enjoys playing acoustic shows.

“There’s no distorted guitars and this big wall of sound coming at you to bury the lyrics in,” Lewis said to the Courant. “It’s the rawest, most stripped-down version and form of the song that it could be.”

Lis, was that in today's Hartford Courant?

Another great article Lisa! What would we do without you??

Without Lisa, I'd be a Nickelback fan.

That cracks me up Harrison!

quote:

Originally posted by hbp0819:
Without Lisa, I'd be a Nickelback fan.

Bite your tongue haha

Raina, I have no clue what paper it is from, it didn't say on the site I found it.

It sounded like it was from my Hartford Courant, but I didn't feel like going back out to get it when I didn't hear back from you lol.

quote:

Originally posted by hbp0819:
Without Lisa, I'd be a Nickelback fan.

That's a serious condition some people have, let's not joke about it.

Thanks for sharing Lisa