A Taste:

AC/DC, KISS, Pink Floyd

Staind have the pop power and the heavy metal heart to solidify them as a legendary band. It’ll only be a little while…

They’ve got a whole host of modern classics in their catalog—from the massive melodies in “Right Here” and “It’s Been Awhile” to the cathartic chaos of “Mudshovel” and “Suffocate.” The multi-platinum Massachusetts quartet knows how to write hard rock anthems better than anyone, but when it’s time to get heartfelt few are better than frontman Aaron Lewis. Ever since the moment he busted out an acoustic guitar on the 1999 installment of the Family Values tour for “Outside,” Aaron’s songwriting prowess and undeniably incredible voice have captivated listeners. Given his penchant for a potent tune, we were curious about where it all began.

In this exclusive interview. ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino spoke to Aaron Lewis about the first three albums to ever inspire him. Aaron went way back in the catalog and gave us three classics for this exclusive playlist feature. Check it out below and pick up Staind’s most recent masterpiece, The Illusion of Progress if you haven’t yet.

Aaron Lewis’s Playlist:

1. AC/DC — Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

2. KISS — Alive II

3. Pink Floyd — The Wall

The first three records ever given to me as a kid were AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, KISS’s Alive II and Pink Floyd’s The Wall. It was the first music I was ever really able to listen to, rewind and listen to again at my leisure.

Now on my playlist is Andrew Wilkow and Mark Levin [Laughs]. If I’m not listening to that, it’s usually country music.

—Rick Florino
10.27.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…