Staind

Staind self-released their debut album, Tormented, in November 1996. Some mainstream breakthrough came with their second album, Dysfunction, which included a re-recorded version of their breakout single "Mudshovel". It eventually sold more than two million copies in the United States. These two albums showcased a combination of guitarist Mike Mushok's heavy, post-grunge style with vocalistguitarist Aaron Lewis's haunting tenor singing and agressive screams.

However, it was the release of the single "Outside" from The Family Values Tour '99 compilation that sent Staind into superstar status and gained the band a larger mainstream following. With its heartfelt and reportedly improvised lyrics, solo acoustic guitar, and backing vocals by Fred Durst, the single garnered massive radio airplay and was a major factor in sending Staind's third album, Break the Cycle, into multiplatinum status.

Staind's subsequent albums, 14 Shades of Grey and Chapter V have been viewed as disappointments to some of their former fan base due to their mellower and arguably more pop-oriented songs. The heavier timbres of their earlier works have given way to Lewis's melodic singing, and the newer albums have a much more polished production than both Tormented and Dysfunction.

The band has a history with Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, who became the band's A&R manager and produced Dysfunction.