Staind frontman Aaron Lewis has revealed that the band has been effectively blacklisted by radio stations because of his outspoken views. In a new interview on The Tucker Carlson Show, Lewis discussed his strained relationship with radio and the music industry, while also highlighting his continued success as a touring artist.

“They Don’t Play Me”

When asked directly if his music was still on the radio, Lewis didn’t hesitate to respond.

“No. They don’t play me. They don’t like my thoughts on things,” Lewis said. “175-180 shows last year. Pretty much all of them sold out. I’m doing just fine.”

His comments suggest that despite the lack of radio support, Staind and Lewis himself remain commercially viable thanks to strong ticket sales and a dedicated fanbase.

Independence Over Industry Control

Lewis explained that one of the benefits of being outside the traditional radio system is the ability to maintain full artistic and financial independence.

“It’s nice to not have to bow down to the powers that be,” he continued. “It’s nice to not have to undermine my value in a market because the radio station wants to get as much out of my show as they can so they sell my ticket for a low do $10 ticket. And they’ve just devalued my value in that market by selling such a cheap ticket when I can sell hard tickets. I don’t need to sell myself short by doing favors for a radio station.”

According to Lewis, staying off the airwaves has allowed him to avoid compromises that many artists are forced to make in order to gain exposure.

Criticism of the Music Industry

The Staind vocalist went further, criticizing the structural power radio and record labels hold over musicians. He argued that the system often reduces artists to what he described as “indentured servants.”

“First you sell your soul to the record label and then you sell everything else you’ve got to the machine, which is the radio that drives music,” Lewis explained. “We’re the indentured servant. I mean, I think that indentured servitude laws are literally still in the books in California, so that they can get away with what they do with us. Every penny we ever get paid from a record label is all a loan.”

His comments reflect long-standing industry debates over artist compensation, ownership of music rights, and the influence of corporate entities on creative freedom.

Thriving Without Radio

Despite being shut out of radio airplay, Lewis made it clear that Staind’s career continues to thrive thanks to their loyal fanbase and strong ticket sales. The band’s recent tours have drawn consistent crowds, suggesting that they have built an audience independent of mainstream radio promotion.

This stance is consistent with Lewis’s career trajectory over the past decade. Known for his outspoken political and social views, Lewis has often courted controversy while also carving out a space for himself outside of traditional industry channels.

A Broader Industry Trend?

Lewis’s experience is not unique in rock and metal circles. Several veteran musicians have expressed frustration with the decline of rock radio and its reliance on narrow playlists that often exclude outspoken or genre-pushing artists. For some, the rise of digital platforms and direct-to-fan marketing has become a way to bypass gatekeepers and maintain creative independence.

While Lewis admits that being blacklisted has cut him off from one of the industry’s most traditional promotional avenues, he insists it hasn’t stopped him from connecting with fans — and may have even strengthened his bond with audiences who respect his refusal to compromise.