Rockstar reality bites harder than fans imagine.
In a recent episode of the Drinks With Johnny podcast, Staind guitarist Mike Mushok dropped a bombshell about the financial side of being in a successful rock band — and it’s got fans talking. Despite Staind’s platinum albums, chart-topping hits, and a loyal fan base that spans decades, Mushok revealed that he hasn’t seen a single royalty payment from their record label. Not one.
“I’ve never gotten a check from any record royalties from any Staind record,” Mushok stated bluntly. “It just never came. Zero.”
The conversation, hosted by Avenged Sevenfold bassist Johnny Christ, started lighthearted but took a sobering turn as Mushok reflected on the industry’s dark side — one where even multi-platinum success doesn’t always translate to personal financial gain.
Mushok explained that while the band did receive significant advances during their peak — and they certainly weren’t left struggling — the issue lies in how major labels structure their contracts. Those generous advances? They were more like loans, recoupable against royalties. The catch? Labels often include a labyrinth of deductions that make it almost impossible for artists to actually reach the point where they’re owed anything beyond the initial payout.
“It was all advances, and we were lucky enough to make some money touring and from merchandise,” he said, noting that while the band has enjoyed a decent living through hard work, royalties from actual album sales have remained a mirage.
Staind, who rose to fame in the late ‘90s and early 2000s with albums like Break the Cycle and Dysfunction, is far from a one-hit wonder. With hits like It’s Been Awhile, Outside, and So Far Away, the band has racked up millions of streams and sold-out tours. But behind the success lies a tale as old as the music industry itself — one where artists often find themselves at the short end of the financial stick.
Mushok’s candid admission has struck a chord with both fans and fellow musicians, reigniting conversations about the need for transparency and reform in music contracts. While some veteran artists have fought to regain control over their master recordings and revenue streams, many bands from the late ’90s and early 2000s were swept up in deals that offered exposure and initial advances — at the cost of long-term earnings.
Still, Mushok remains grateful for the band’s longevity and their ability to keep playing for fans. Staind recently reunited with their original lineup and released Confessions of the Fallen in 2023, their first studio album in over a decade, proving they’re far from done.
As fans continue to stream their music and pack venues, Mushok’s revelation serves as a stark reminder of how complicated — and often unfair — the business side of rock ‘n’ roll can be.
Let this be a call for younger bands to read every line, question every clause, and fight for every cent. Because sometimes, even legends walk away empty-handed.
