Editing Staind (section)

===Early years and ''Tormented'' (1995–1998)===
In 1993, vocalist [[Aaron Lewis]] and guitarist Mike Mushok met at a Christmas party in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. Mushok introduced drummer Jon Wysocki while Lewis brought in bassist Johnny April to form the band in 1995. Their first public performance was in February 1995, playing a heavy, dark, and introspective style of metal.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Rough Guide to Heavy Metal |last=Berelian |first=Essi |date=2005 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=9781843534150 |page=343}}</ref> Extensive touring in the Northeast helped Staind acquire a regional following over the next few years.

The band started covering [[Korn]], [[Rage Against the Machine]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Tool (band)|Tool]], and [[Alice in Chains]], among others, and played at local clubs (most commonly playing at Infinity, a live music venue located in Springfield) for a year and a half. Staind self-released their debut album, ''[[Tormented (Staind album)|Tormented]]'', in November 1996, citing Tool, [[Faith No More]], and [[Pantera]] as their influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/tormented-mw0000744246|title=Tormented - Staind {{!}} Review|last=Tognazzini|first=Anthony|website=AllMusic|access-date=January 20, 2017}}</ref> In October 1997, Staind acquired a concert slot through Aaron's cousin Justin Cantor with [[Limp Bizkit]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lamusicawards.com/act/stain/|title=Staind : Nominee – 1996 6th Annual LA Music Awards|website=Lamusicawards.com|access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Just prior to the performance, Limp Bizkit frontman [[Fred Durst]] was appalled by Staind's grotesque album cover and unsuccessfully attempted to remove them from the bill. Durst thought that Staind were [[Theistic Satanist]]s.<ref name=Michigan>{{cite news |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/content/inside-outside-stainds-aaron-lewis-devil-not-included |title=Inside the ''Outside'' with Staind's Aaron Lewis: Devil not included |newspaper=[[Michigan Daily]] |date=April 9, 2001 |access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Biography" /> After being persuaded to let them perform,<ref name=Michigan /> however, Durst was so impressed that he signed them to [[Flip Records (1994)|Flip Records]]<ref name="Biography">{{cite web|last=True|first=Chris|title=Staind {{!}} Biography & History |work=[[AllMusic]]|publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]]|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/staind-mn0000178799/biography |access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Grierson>{{cite web |url=http://rock.about.com/od/staind/p/staind.htm |title=Staind – Career Biography and Discography |last=Grierson |first=Tim |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=September 8, 2015 |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906204914/http://rock.about.com/od/staind/p/staind.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> by February 1998.<ref name=Southeastern>{{cite news |work=[[Southeastern Oklahoma State University|The Southeastern]] |last=Hall |first=Chris |date=November 2, 2001 |volume=82 |number=10 |url=http://www.se.edu/library/files/2010/11/VOL_82_10-Nov-2-2001.pdf |title=Artist of the Week |page=5 |access-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320143811/http://www.se.edu/library/files/2010/11/VOL_82_10-Nov-2-2001.pdf |archive-date=March 20, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>