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Staind’s Aaron Lewis Says Next Solo Album Channels Portishead

1/6/09, 11:40 am EST

Photo: Gologursky/Wireimage

After releasing The Illusion of Progress last summer, Staind frontman Aaron Lewis is taking a short breather to return to how he spent most of 2007 — as a solo performer, with a half-dozen gigs lined up in Nevada, California and Florida (the tour is currently underway). The acoustic shows are a mix of Staind hits, songs slated for his solo album, assorted cover tunes, and whatever fans might happen to shout out. “I’ve never made a set list once, I never had any clue as to what I was going to play when I went out there, I just winged it,” Lewis says of his solo shows. “It creates a very fun atmosphere, it’s very loose. People yell out requests, and if they yell out the right song, I might play it.”

As a father of three girls and in acknowledgment of many of his fans now having children of their own, Lewis has also been known to bring out a nugget for the younger demographic. “What six-year-old little girl isn’t a fan of Hannah Montana?” he says. “I’ve even busted one out every now and again at an acoustic show: ‘Best of Both Worlds.’ Not the whole thing, though, just a chorus.”

Lewis will return to the road with Staind later this month, but he remains excited about his first solo record, which he plans to release once the current touring cycle winds down. Prior to the release of the last Staind album, Lewis had “seven or eight” songs fleshed out enough to perform live, and while the album will likely be mostly acoustic, he’s still tinkering with a few new ideas.

“How carried away I get with it remains to be seen,” Lewis says. “I look forward to sitting down with my drum machine and Pro Tools and doing maybe a male vocal-to-Portishead vibe on a couple songs. There might be a song or two that has a cool beat programmed behind it, then acoustic guitars and all the other instruments that I have in and around my house that I tinker with.”


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Comments

Ann-Marie | 6/15/2009, 7:28 pm EST

Not a big Staind fan, but bring Aaron Lewis to VA - and I will be first in line - and with credit card in hand fingrs crossed first row. BTW I am 40/F….and no one is better than Aaron Lewis and I listen to everything.

newfan | 6/5/2009, 9:17 pm EST

Staind kicks ass!!! I admit I listen to hiphop but after hearing staind and aaron lewis’ voice I was hooked.not to sound gay but he has the best voice for a singer I have heard!!! I am now a fan for life..please keep it up Aaron ..don’t want to see you go any time soon.I love your music.best band ever!every cd I buy I love every song…my favorite is “Fray”..love that song….kick ass band

Byron_25eye | 5/8/2009, 5:40 pm EST

From bad to worse, from good to great. Through all experiences in my life I could relate to the lyrics from Staind (Aaron Lewis). One of the greatest bands by far!
“You have no idea how great they are until you take the time to listen?”

Meiji Hwang Vietnam | 5/5/2009, 12:19 pm EST

I m a faraway fan and i m just waiting for his next project day by day. I like all the thing of this band and Aaron especially!

staind4life | 4/15/2009, 1:45 pm EST

staind is hands down my favorite band of all time and aaron lewis has the most amazing voice in my opinion of all time and his lyrics will touch anybody whose ever known what hard times are and anybody who doesn’t realize the greatness of the band is a true idiot just caz they dont repeat the same verse 150 times in a row doesn’t mean they not good

Avacado | 4/14/2009, 1:24 pm EST

I think Staind and especially Aaron are so underrated. Who the hell else can get out there with just two guitars that HE plays and do a really SOLO (yes no backup bands, etc. like all these other “supposedly solo” artists have) and put out an amazing show? I’ve even gone to see two shows in a row at the Borgata and Aaron does two entirely different shows with different music and still no setlists because he knows those of us fans that are there twice and he doesn’t want to repeat the same thing! His voice is exceptional, I’ve met him several times along with the rest of the group, and he makes you feel like you are with this great friend who just happens to be very talented. No ego goin on at all. He’s a totally great guy!

c.mazzie77 | 4/5/2009, 12:45 am EST

WHO EVER SAYS STAIND IS THE WORST BAND EVER, MUST LISTEN TO THE JUNGLE MONEY MUSIC THAT THE TEENIE-BOPPERS CALL HIP HOP!!!!!! OPEN YOUR MIND AND LISTEN TO HIS WORDS FOOLS. THE MAN IS TRULY TALENTED AND IF YOU DONT THINK SO THEN LISTEN TO YOUR JUNGLE MONKEY CRAP AND LEAVE MY MAN ALONE!!!!

will of broken day machine | 4/1/2009, 4:07 pm EST

lets all take a moment to breathe here…lets all sit back and look at what has been said…the simple fact that this consist primarily of fans and haters makes a simple point..haters are usually closet fans..and fans are well…fans. But the point im trying to make is that regardless of what is being said..its being said..i am the singer of a detroit band broken day machine..if i posted a blog on our myspace that said i was releasing a solo album..people might read it…but it would never be like this. Staind has accomplished alot, and yes they have grown softer in comparison to their 99 sound. But as musicians they continue to grow and aaron still manages to reach people. but i will agree creed sucks ass…

David | 3/24/2009, 4:20 pm EST

Okay think Staind is trash, name a better band from the 30-40 year old age group. Yeah I thought so. Staind is without question a geniune shoot from the hip kind of band. Their heartfelt lyrics are the mark by which al of today’s music is measured. In today’s world of american idol and the just add publicity to make a star mind set these guys are head and shoulders above all the rest. Those of you who don’tlike them would’nt know good music if it bit you in the ass.

WTF | 3/24/2009, 12:37 pm EST

Worst band ever! Shut up you fucking fool

RJ | 2/7/2009, 3:14 pm EST

I think someone`s envy shines through here when they use the words worst & band and mention it about Staind.Aaron lewis is one of the better singers out there along with some others.

mickey | 1/19/2009, 4:00 pm EST

everyone is entitled to there opinion… But depending on where you’ve been and what you have been through has a lot to do with Aaron Lewis being a poet. no one should expect everyone to be able to relate the same! But if you have been there and done that then maybe you relate to him on a different level. Not all of us are able to express feelings as well as he dose. And obviously there are lots of people who relate to him. I think he is GREAT!

Epiphany | 1/19/2009, 7:54 am EST

There is no other band quite like Staind. Aaron Lewis is THE MAN!! He’s so talented. I can’t wait for his solo album to come out!! All of their big hits have been written entirely by him from start to finish. This one should rock! I’m so excited. It doesn’t hurt that he is totally sexy, that’s just a bonus! ;)

Staind1 | 1/16/2009, 6:24 pm EST

Ya ya ya! Staind does nt need wrds 2 justify how excellent dy r. No nd 4 explanation. Staind is undeniably d best band in d wrld.

Staind1 | 1/16/2009, 6:22 pm EST

Staind damn rules! Ne othr opinion cn literally eat sht!

joe | 1/14/2009, 1:22 pm EST

worst band ever? Are u high.Thay are great and nice guys to. so go put on your rap and have a sh-t day maki

JAY | 1/13/2009, 7:47 pm EST

I’VE SEEN STAIND TWICE MET THEM SEEN AARON SOLO 3 TIMES MET HIM TWICE ONCE THE SHOW HE GOT HIS NEW HANDS TATOOED HE (THEY) KICK ASS I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE HIS SOLO ALBUM WILL ROCK I’VE HEARD SOME OF IT LIVE A FEW TIMES

ace7 | 1/9/2009, 4:53 pm EST

I agree with brian on the taste of the american public regarding music. Just listen to the trash they feed you on the radio. However, being a singer/songwriter of many years, there’s no doubt that aarion lewis is a great musician. Personal lyrics, and almost poetry like..you can’t take that away from him. And yes.. Creed are the worst band ever.

Brian | 1/9/2009, 12:56 pm EST

Hi, the Kid. I just want to remind you that selling records is not a comment on the quality of the band. In this case, I’d argue it’s a comment on the simple-mindedness and blandness of the American public’s tastes in music. Everyone has their right to buy whatever schlock they choose, but let’s also remember how many copies of “High School Musical” were consumed. OK? Point made?

justin Press | 1/8/2009, 3:55 pm EST

yo steffen, shoot me an email, got a question for ya.

the kid | 1/8/2009, 2:18 pm EST

if they are the worst band ever, then why did they have 3 consecutie #1 albums? Only 5 bands have ever done it…and have sold over 15 million albums? SUCK IT

Brian | 1/7/2009, 2:45 pm EST

Everything about this story — from this doofus’ assetion that something he’ll create might remind us of Portishead, to this magazine’s rubber stamping-sans-skepticism headline — amuses me and makes me hurt for America and its preciously dwindling heart and brain power.

rga121 | 1/7/2009, 12:29 am EST

great band

The Only Opinion That Matters | 1/6/2009, 6:51 pm EST

Staind is the best band ever so ‘Backspace’ ‘Maki’ and ‘SteveFrehley’, you all can suck it.

Backspace | 1/6/2009, 2:10 pm EST

The worst bands ever: Creed; Staind; Counting Crows; Fall Out Boy

mAKi | 1/6/2009, 12:35 pm EST

no second worst band ever, Creed are worse

stevefrehley | 1/6/2009, 12:15 pm EST

Worst.Band.Ever.

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