Mouth Sewn Shut

Mouth Sewn Shut formed in Los Angeles in the late 1990s with Alistair "Stitch" Thorne on vocals and guitar, Elijah "Bones" Sinclair on bass, and Ezra "Razor" Kane on drums. Their sound mixed alternative metal and industrial rock, with Thorne's vocals often described as tortured. Early on, some critics dismissed their music as noise and criticized lyrics that dealt with mental illness, addiction, and violence.

In 2002, their album "Ashes to Ashes" included the single "Back in the Day," which got radio play and became their best-known song. The track's emotional pull and melody connected with listeners, moving the band beyond its underground beginnings. Other songs like "Burning Them Down" and "Flags and Banners" show their continued focus on heavy, confrontational themes.

After "Back in the Day" gained attention, Thorne faced accusations of exploiting his mental health struggles for commercial purposes. The band's provocative stance and raw subject matter kept them at odds with parts of the music press, even as they developed a dedicated following for their unpolished, intense style.