Jon Wysocki, former drummer for Staind, a nu metal hard rock post-grunge alternative metal group, passed on May 18, 2024. Staind is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki. The lineup has been stable outside of the 2011 departure of Wysocki, who was replaced by Sal Giancarelli. Staind has recorded and released eight studio albums: Tormented (1996), Dysfunction (1999), Break the Cycle (2001), 14 Shades of Grey (2003), Chapter V (2005), The Illusion of Progress (2008), Staind (2011), and Confessions of the Fallen (2023).
The band was most successful in the early 2000s, with Break the Cycle going five times platinum in the United States and producing a top-five Billboard Hot 100 hit with its lead single “It’s Been Awhile”. Break the Cycle, along with the band’s following two full-length albums, also topped the Billboard 200, and the two after peaked within the top five. Several of their other singles also became rock and crossover hits, including “Fade”, “For You”, “Price to Play”, “So Far Away”, and “Right Here”. The band’s activity became more sporadic into the 2010s, with Lewis pursuing a solo country music career and Mushok subsequently joining the band Saint Asonia.
History
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. 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, 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, in November 1996, citing Tool, Faith No More, and Pantera as their influences. In October 1997, Staind acquired a concert slot through Aaron’s cousin Justin Cantor with Limp Bizkit. 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 Satanists. After being persuaded to let them perform, however, Durst was so impressed that he signed them to Flip Records by February 1998.
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Staind and departure of Jon Wysocki (2010–2012)
In March 2010, Aaron Lewis stated the band would start working on their seventh studio album by the end of the year. Lewis had finished recording his country music solo EP and had started a nonprofit organization to reopen his daughter’s elementary school in Worthington, Massachusetts. Guitarist Mike Mushok stated in a Q&A session with fans that the band was looking to make a heavy record, but still “explore some of the things we did on the last record and take them somewhere new for us”. In a webisode posted on the band’s website, Lewis stated that eight songs were written and that “every one of them is as heavy or heavier than the heaviest song on the last record”. The band originally planned on recording with Nick Raskulinecz, but ended up working with The Illusion of Progress producer Johnny K, much to Wysocki’s dismay.
. . . Wysocki said that the album’s production was rushed as the band had waited until the last minute—before they would be in breach of their record contract—to record the album. He later said that whilst “some [of the album’s] songs came out pretty good”, it was not as well-rounded as the band’s previous efforts. Due to his frustration with the album’s production and “distractions” afflicting the band, Wysocki decided to quit Staind. “I was very frustrated with it all, so I said to the guys, ‘As much as I love this band and I love you guys, I gotta go. This is not the Staind we started out being.'” Staind announced Wysocki’s departure on May 20, 2011. Following his departure, Wysocki joined Soil.
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Original Staind drummer Jon Wysocki died on May 18, 2024, at the age of 53, due to “issues with his liver that required him to be under the care of medical professionals.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Wysocki
Website: https://staindofficial.com
Photo: Jon Wysocki | From a Facebook post
Jon Wysocki, Original Drummer for Staind, Dies at Age 53 Due to Liver Disease
