Staind still promoting latest CD while on tour with reunited Creed

After being on the road for so long, Staind guitarist Mike Mushok said getting together with the band to record its most recent CD, "The Illusion of Progress," was satisfying.

The CD was released nearly a year ago, but the band is still proud of it and promoting it while on the tour with Creed.

"The songs actually came together quite quickly," said Mushok during an interview from a stop in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"There were some things that we wanted to do differently; something that we had never done before. So we just went in and did it."

Helping the process was producer Jimmy K, said Mushok. "Jimmy was there from the first note. And whenever we came to a place where we felt stuck, he had some great ideas.

"But he was also there to help us with our instruments, even to the point of changing drum heads."

Throughout the band's career, Mushok and the boys — lead singer Aaron Lewis, bassist Johnny April and drummer Jon Wysocki — have always tried to give 100 percent, whether they are recording CDs or playing live.

"We go out and perform every night and do the best show we can and hope that some people are there to hear us," he said. "Thankfully our fans have stayed with us in the past 11 years. And they are there for us, as we are for them."

Since Staind is opening for the reunited Creed, the set list will be different than it would be if the band were headlining.

"We will be playing in front of a lot of people that are familiar with our radio songs," said Mushok. "And that's what we're basically playing. If we were on our own, we'd play some of the more obscure stuff and do some covers. You know, we'll mix it up a bit."

If you go …

What: Creed, Staind

Where: E Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive

When: tonight, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $32-$88

Phone: 800-745-3000

Web: www.ticketmaster.com

e-mail: scott@desnews.com