ROCK MUSIC Staind's new CD is a little lighter

But don't call Aaron Lewis' songs 'happy.'
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK -- Given the gloom and doom that has come to define Staind, fans of the hard rock group might be surprised to hear songs on the group's new album that sound hopeful, tender and downright sweet.
There are still plenty of tortured sentiments on "14 Shades of Grey," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, selling 221,000 copies its first week. But there are two songs about marriage and fatherhood, and the group's lead singer and lyricist, Aaron Lewis, admits that the overall tone of the disc is more optimistic than the last.
Credit the change to Zoe Lewis, Lewis' 1-year-old daughter, who, along with his wife, Vanessa, has made the famously dour musician a little more cheerful.
"I'm just a person affected by life like everybody else is. If my life is (bad), then it's going to come out in my music. If I'm feeling good about what's going on in my life, I can't help but have that come out a little bit," he says.
But he draws the line at calling his more optimistic songs "happy music."
"I'm not going to write a happy song. Music isn't happy for me," says Lewis, sounding almost offended at the thought that he might write something upbeat. "Music is a release for me, for all the stuff that I hold onto inside. Music has always been a vent for me to be able to get out all the things that are bothering me."
Formula for success
Lewis' ability to turn his own dysfunctional worldview into universal anthems of angst has made Staind -- featuring Lewis, 31, guitarist Mike Mushok, 34, bassist Johnny April, 38, and drummer Jon Wysocki, 35 -- one of the nation's best-selling rock acts.
In 2001, the quartet sold 4.9 million copies of "Break the Cycle," according to Nielsen SoundScan. It was the follow-up to their platinum-selling, major-label debut, "Dysfunction," released in 1999 on Elektra.
"I'm still amazed at how well the last record did," says Mushok. "That was really surprising, that it touched that many people who wanted to have it."
Staind producer Josh Abraham credits the group's success to more than its raging guitar riffs and hard-driving melodies. Lewis has the ability to identify with painful situations that others, particularly young adults, have dealt with, including child exploitation, suicide and drug abuse, he said.
"His lyrics are heartfelt, and he sings the truth in the experiences that he lived through, the pain and suffering," says Abraham of Lewis, who has admitted to battling depression at times.
But Lewis seems far from the tortured soul he depicts in his lyrics. Whatever demons he and his bandmates have are hard to detect -- Mushok doesn't even smoke, and Lewis proudly announces that he has recently quit, with the help of a hypnotist.
"[It was] for myself, for me, but it was motivated by my daughter," says Lewis.
Fatherhood
Lewis' devotion to his daughter is evident before he even speaks -- he has her name tattooed on the back of his neck, and she's the inspiration for the song "Zoe Jane."
But although fatherhood may have made Lewis more mellow, it has not completely changed his pessimistic view of the world. When talking about parenthood, he uses the opportunity to focus on the struggles of working families who aren't able to spend quality time with their children.
"It's sad that we're so lost in this world that we created, because that kid that doesn't develop correctly because of the fact that the parent wasn't able to be there to help through that developmental process," says Lewis.
Lewis clearly hasn't gotten used to being the center of attention. During an interview, he's reserved and solemn compared to the more animated Mushok, and admits to being uncomfortable in the spotlight.
"I feel much better when Mike is around, because he can bail me out of questions," he says, only half-joking. "I'm here because of them."
About the band
Lewis and Mushok have been friends since 1993, when the budding musicians met at a Christmas party in the Springfield, Mass., area. Soon afterward, they created a group with April and Wysocki. Three years later, they put out their first album, the self-released "Tormented."
The group didn't get their big break until linking up with Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, who helped them secure the Elektra deal.
Mushok credits the group's slow rise to success as part of the reason why the band remains tight-knit.
"Success was a little later in life," he says. "I think we were kind of all who we were, where I think if it happens when you're like 18 or 20 or something, or younger, you can be a lot more influenced, you'd get caught up in it more."
The fact that all of the group members are over 30 has helped them remain grounded. Mushok recalls the group's first meeting with their lawyer a few years ago, and feeling overwhelmed, and feeling thankful that he was mature enough to handle it.
"I was like, 'Eight, 10 years ago, I wouldn't know what to do,"' he recalls.
"I'd be in rehab," joked Lewis.