By Ozzfest ’98, Maynard had adopted more effective camouflage than sequins and painted eyebrows and ball gowns. “For a multitude of reasons, I receded to the back of the stage,” he would explain. “As the eye contact became awkward, I stepped back. It was partly a technical decision; the sound was spilling into my mic from the cabinets behind me. But it also helped get away from the ‘frontman’ label. I absolutely hate the phrase ‘lead singer.’ I’m not a frontman. I’m just part of the story.”
