In a recent conversation with HardDrive Radio, Staind guitarist Mike Mushok recalled a key moment that marked the beginning of an influential partnership in rock music. This pivotal event was none other than the first time he heard Aaron Lewis demonstrate his vocal prowess.
Back in 1993, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Aaron Lewis met guitarist Mike Mushok at a Christmas party. The duo later recruited drummer Jon Wysocki and bassist Johnny April to complete Staind’s lineup in 1995. Through a combination of their unique sound and extensive touring in the Northeast, the band then began to carve out a regional following.
Speaking to HardDrive Radio, Mushok detailed his experience when he first heard Lewis sing. It was the fall of 1994; Mushok was in college, living the typical student life in his parents’ basement. Lewis came over with a song he had written, ‘Black Rain.‘ According to Mushok, he felt as though he had finally found the singing talent he had been searching for all along.
Here is what Mike Mushok recalled about his first time hearing Aaron Lewis’ vocals:
“I remember the first time I ever heard him sing. I remember where I was, I remember what he was saying, and just being like, ‘Where have you been?‘ because I’d always been looking for a singer to work with. I was blown away literally the first time I heard him sing.”
Mushok continued:
“It was probably the fall of 1994. I was in college at the time, living in my parent’s basement, of course, the typical. I remember he came over and had a song called ‘Black Rain’ that he had written, and that’s what he’s saying. I was just blown away. I was calling my girlfriend, who’s actually now my wife, just like, ‘Oh my God, this kid’s so good,‘ and that’s when we started. He knew a bass player, and I was talking to our old drummer, John. And we just started writing songs.”
Fans will be thrilled to hear that the group’s upcoming album, ‘Confessions of the Fallen,‘ is set to hit the airwaves this fall. We can only hope that it will bring us more of those goosebump-inducing moments that Mike Mushok experienced when he first heard Aaron Lewis sing.
