STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis has criticised bands that use backing tracks during live concerts, arguing the practice shortchanges fans expecting an authentic performance. Speaking on "The Anchormen" podcast, Lewis said full instrumental and vocal tracks are increasingly played underneath live performances, to the point where band members could leave the stage entirely without most of the audience noticing. He noted that on his last three or four tours, his act was the only one not relying on such tracks.

The comments came as Lewis promotes his sixth solo country album, "Give My Country Back", released on 17 July via Big Machine Label Group and produced by Sol Philcox-Littlefield. He co-wrote five tracks on the record with collaborators including Jeffrey Steele and Bobby Pinson, and is currently touring the US with his band THE STATELINERS. Since moving into solo country music, Lewis has scored two number-one Billboard Country Album debuts ("Town Line" and "Sinner"), a platinum-certified collaboration with George Jones and Charlie Daniels, and a gold-certified number-one hit with 2021's "Am I The Only One", with his catalogue surpassing 5.7 billion career streams.