-You might say that “it’s been a while,” since Weekender interviewed the lead guitarist of a rock band coming to the Convocation Center in February, but that would be both inaccurate and cliché.

Still, Weekender had the opportunity for a scant 10-minute chat with Staind lead guitarist Mike Mushok. Of course, we got right down to asking the obvious question.

Weekender: Aren’t you guys really big now? Why are you coming to DeKalb?

Mike Mushok: Is anyone ever too big to go anywhere and play?

W: Yeah. You are.

MM: Come on.

W: Was it a mistake? Did someone mess up?

MM: No. I’m looking forward to it.

W: You actually write a lot of the band’s music. How does that process work?

MM: Basically, I will practice and come up with different ideas and put them on a little tape recorder. And when it comes time for a record, I kind of go back and listen to it. What I think is decent and stands out, I bring to the band, and if they like it, we move forward as a band and make it a Staind song.

W: What’s your favorite song on “14 Shades of Grey”?

MM: I actually like the whole record. You kind of go through a phase with all the songs. You spend so much time trying to put it together and make everything as good as it can be. There are some songs that didn’t make it and there were some newer songs written at the end to try and make the best record we possibly could. When we put out a record, we try to make something that is listenable from beginning to end. Hopefully, you are not skipping over stuff.

W: What are you thinking when you see your sales figures come in?

MM: It’s pretty amazing. I know none of us really expected to obtain a large level of success. Even debuting No. 1 in the U.S. — none of us ever expected to do that. I just feel real fortunate to be where we are and doing what we are doing. I am real thankful that people have at least seemed to be able to get something out of what we love to do.

W: What do you think of MTV?

MM: I think they should just take the “M” out of it. They are obviously not about music anymore. They are about being a network TV station, and about the TV shows that they have. They are geared toward a young female demographic and when your most-played video gets played 12 times a week, come on. It’s not about music. It’s about selling advertising.

W: What sets you guys apart? So many bands form and never really go anywhere. Why do you think you made it?

MM: I don’t know. The thing is, there are a lot of bands out there that are really good that might not make it, and I think that there’s definitely an element of luck and being at the right place at the right time. There’s a lot of hard work, too, and I’d like to think there’s a little bit of talent involved there, too.

Staind will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8. at the Convocation Center. Tickets, which are $29.50 in advance and $32.50 at the door, are on sale at the Convocation Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com.