Gray Daze open up in what could be their most sincere interview but, as they focus on their newest EP and reveal plans for a full-length album.
Gray Daze are returning to the UK for a six-date headline tour (Picture: Maintain Tight)
Rising from the Phoenix underground in 1993, Gray Daze turn out to be the inspiration for considered one of rock’s most iconic voices: the late Chester Bennington. Co-founded with drummer Sean Dowdell, Bennington’s roots had been planted within the uncooked, grungy power of Gray Daze. However after Bennington’s rise to world fame with Linkin Park, the band’s catalogue remained dormant for years.
In 2016, plans started for a reunion that includes the unique members alongside new guitarist Cristin Davis. These plans had been tragically minimize quick by Chester’s loss of life. The band honoured his vocal legacy by reimagining their early archives into the acclaimed albums Amends (2020) and The Phoenix (2022). These re-recordings not solely topped the rock charts but additionally reworked the band’s grief right into a motion for psychological well being consciousness.
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Now, Gray Daze has entered a daring new chapter with the addition of frontman Cris Hodges. Their newest EP, Extra Than I Can Supply, indicators this subsequent step, mixing their grungy roots with a recent new route. Following their impactful 2024 #ForYouChester tour, the band returns to the UK tomorrow (March 20) for a headline run beginning in Nottingham.
We spoke to frontman Cris Hodges and guitarist Kenny Bulka and mentioned the evolution of their sound, preserving Chester’s spirit alive by way of music, and the connection they’re constructing with their followers.
How are you guys doing? How have issues been?
Kenny: Glorious.
Cris: Busy. We have been making ready for this for a couple of 12 months? So, I’d say we’re fairly ready. Not under-prepared, not over-prepared, we’re proper on tempo.
How do you’re feeling now in regards to the EP being out?
C: We needed to be sure that we had the EP launched earlier than we went out [on tour], and simply have folks get used to it. The undertaking has a historical past, and so while you’re part of a undertaking that has historical past, you gotta watch out and meticulous with each determination that you simply make. We simply needed to be sure that we had been doing it proper, and thus far, the reception has been completely superb.
We’re gonna do that tour in Europe and the UK, after which come again and possibly launch the full-length album this 12 months.
I used to be going to ask about that just a little bit later, however since we’re on it, have you ever already began engaged on it? Is it prepared?
Okay: I imply, it’s shut. We’ve got some buttoning as much as do on a few them, after which we’d add a pair extra.
C: When you begin seeing the physique of labor, as soon as it turns into this respiratory, dwelling factor, you are like, oh, we might change this, and alter that, and add this, and subtract that; it turns into this loss of life spiral at instances the place you may actually overdo it. I do not know when the completion level is gonna be, however I’d say we’re shut.
Have you learnt what number of songs, roughly, you need to be on the album?
C: Ten, 12…, we have now some particular issues that we needed to do this have not too long ago popped up as concepts that we need to incorporate, which might take us into the 11-12 track vary.
Are they folks?
C: Sure.
Are you allowed to say?
C: It is to not the purpose the place it is carried out, so we’ll simply maintain onto that. As soon as we get again from this tour, and we get again within the studio, I feel we’re gonna have some surprises up our sleeve that individuals will like.
Chester Bennington and Sean Dowdell fashioned Gray Daze within the early 90s (Picture: Equipped)
That is good, normally when artists come again from tour they fear about what comes subsequent, however you already know what that subsequent large step goes to be.
C: We acquired midway by way of the 12 months and realised that individuals had been actually taking to what we had been doing. It was getting traction, and swiftly, it isn’t a legacy undertaking anymore – it is a forward-thinking undertaking. In order that’s the place we got here up with the full-length concept. Coming into this tour, I feel we most likely have one other 12 months’s value of fabric, and reveals, and content material and tales to share with the followers.
That is nice. Will the reactions you bought to the completely different songs on the EP affect what you placed on the album?
Okay: Everyone’s completely different, so one particular person loves this track greater than the opposite track, however it’s all right down to the lyrics, and I feel what Cris writes is great. He writes significant stuff, and I feel that is what grabs the fan. However they’re all nice in their very own manner, so it is actually exhausting to say.
C: Yeah, they’re all our personal little infants, however I’ll say there are songs which might be indignant, there are songs which might be simply passionate, after which there are songs that dig actually, actually deep into human emotion, like ‘Monster You Adore’. I do not know when you see this, Kenny, however what I am seeing is an actual deep reference to the followers to ‘Monster You Adore’. [And] That was a scary one to place out, as a result of that comes from a extremely deep, darkish place, and I feel I wanted that response to know that I’ve permission to discuss this stuff. So, I feel that we will most likely count on extra honesty on the album.
For me, a part of the legacy of Gray Daze is that emotional depth that Chester had, but additionally what Sean wrote in his lyrics. I’d have thought that it was second nature for the band to go to these locations.
C: I feel that if I used to be simply doing this alone, I would not really feel that manner, however you need to consider the historical past. This band has been round for thirty years, and Chester was an enormous a part of it. When Chester handed away in 2017, and the band did Amends, after which The Phoenix, it was extra about tributing and celebrating life and celebrating Chester. So, with this new section coming in, you may’t simply barge in and do no matter you need.
The entire motive why we’re all a part of that is to respect the legacy, and honour the legacy, and have enjoyable with the followers. So, you need to consider various things earlier than you are taking motion. The entire music and the lyrics, all of that was inside me, however I am like, does it match the undertaking? Becoming the undertaking grew to become an important factor first.
It has been a 12 months because you launched the primary single collectively. What was that course of like? How did the working relationship with Sean develop earlier than the one?
C: Sean may be very protecting of Gray Daze, as he must be, as a result of he’s the founding member. He needed everybody to have a voice coming into this, however general, it is like let’s ensure we’re respecting the legacy. With Sean, it is all the time going by way of the filter of does it respect the legacy, and is it furthering the legacy of the band?
The legacy is such a core a part of Gray Daze given who Chester was, however what does this new legacy seem like, with all of you in it?
C: I’ll reply this actually. At the start, after I first got here into the band to do the present in U-Fest, it was presupposed to be one single present in 2023. You see what occurs in a state of affairs when a singer is changed, it is all the time a disaster, an emotional curler coaster. I acquired the hate, and I acquired all of the stuff from folks we did not know, which wasn’t an enormous deal, [but then] those that the band did know. And actually, these had been those that shocked me probably the most, the place those that – I am unable to point out any names – determined to alter their story. That was shocking and just a little bit disheartening.
However, actually, having the help of the band, and Sean going ‘let’s take some danger, let’s do one thing’; the allowance to take a danger put us within the state of affairs the place we launched new music. And that, in flip, linked with the viewers. Truthfully, I’ve constructed a extremely enjoyable relationship with the Gray Daze followers, and we’re gaining new followers – folks that did not even know of Gray Daze. So, all of that to say, all the heartache and the curler coasters and the feelings had been completely value it. I would not change a factor.
Okay: There’s all the time gonna be haters, it is simply the way it’s gonna be, however I feel all people has accepted C, and so they love him. You are all the time gonna have those which might be simply not into it and that is what it’s, however, all the opposite ones make up for it, for my part. That is what you give attention to, is all the great folks on the market which might be having fun with it and loving it.
It is clearly going to be more durable for Cris being frontman, however what is the expertise been like for you Kenny?
Okay: Superb for me. Cristen and I, the opposite guitar participant, have performed for years. Identical with Evan, so it was very easy to get in there and begin enjoying with these guys. I like writing music, it is in my soul. And while you put out riffs and Cris is ready to simply knock out lyrics actually fast, that is all the time superb. Everyone has their very own little half within the band, and I feel all of us simply type of fill little voids the place they wanted to be crammed. I feel the whole lot simply works for us, and you may’t beat that.
That is such a beautiful factor to listen to! Going again the lyrics then, Cris, you’ve mentioned some songs on the EP are private, however common on the similar time. How do you stability being each?
C: I suppose it simply begins with me and an emotion that I am feeling, and seeing if that emotion resonates with others. And thus far it has. However it has to return from a spot of honesty and authenticity. If we jumped into this undertaking and we had been attempting to sing about struggles that Chester sang about however we hadn’t gone by way of, folks would sniff that out in a heartbeat.
There’s lots of people in your Youtube movies who say ‘I relate to this a lot’, ‘I actually wanted this’. How does it really feel to have that reference to folks?
C: Each occasionally you’re feeling like, oh my god, that is why I used to be placed on this earth. Like, that second proper there. It took a long time to get so far, however as soon as I began studying these feedback and folks saying: ‘I really feel the very same manner’, ‘this track has helped me’, ‘this track acquired me by way of this’. Are you kidding? I’ve waited so lengthy to have that feeling.
Talking about that relationship along with your followers, the UK tour goes be fairly a particular one for followers as a result of the final time you got here you had no new music, how are you feeling about that?
C: You already know what? I did not even understand that. We hadn’t performed any of this. The final time we went by way of the UK was ForYouChester…By the way in which, I like the UK. You guys are completely superb. London was considered one of my favorite reveals ever that we have carried out. And so in the event that they loved it final time, I am unable to even comprehend what they’re gonna really feel about honouring the legacy, seeking to the longer term, singing these new songs with us. That is gonna be insane.
Each time I see an interview with you guys it simply sounds such as you’re so enthusiastic about enjoying reside!
Okay: Oh, it is the most effective a part of music, for my part. You get to see the followers and meet the folks, and it is exhausting to clarify it. If you see folks singing songs, you recognize their coronary heart and soul is into it. Once we did the [European] tour, we had dropped two songs and folks had been singing and also you’re similar to, what? It is such a cool feeling to see that individuals solely hear them for a month or two earlier than we go on tour, and so they’ve already acquired the lyrics down it is superb.
C: They know the lyrics higher than we do!
Have you ever ever utterly forgotten what you had been presupposed to be singing?
C: Kenny can let you know this, I neglect lyrics on a regular basis. […] I ponder if I’ve a mind downside that I am unable to bear in mind. I really feel the emotion, however typically I am like, how did I pronounce that, or how did I say that?
Okay: I’ve by no means even requested you both, do you get nervous? Do you get nervous after we exit and play? I do know the thrill’s there.
C: I bear in mind every time I first acquired to Los Angeles, I used to be beginning my singing profession, and I acquired employed to sing for this band that was opening for Metal Panther. And it was a sold-out present on the Home of Blues in Anaheim. It was like 2000 folks, and I had by no means performed to that many individuals earlier than, and never that they had been there to see us, however I bear in mind proper earlier than going up on stage, I am standing backstage, and I am unable to transfer my toes! I used to be deathly afraid, actually, it was crippling. It was simply paralysing.
I do not get that type of worry anymore, or nervousness. My nervousness comes from, pleasure of the unknown. Understanding all of the passions and the feelings which might be developing earlier than we go on stage has truly turn out to be my favourite a part of the present. The intro music hits, the lights go down, that is simply the best feeling, as a result of you may really feel the depth within the room.
Okay: Sure, I agree. I am the identical manner. I really feel the thrill on a regular basis. I am not nervous I am not gonna have the ability to play or something, I am similar to right here we go, let’s get it.
C: There was a second the place I used to be telling my spouse I’ve all the time had stage fright, this was most likely 10 years in the past. I used to be like, I simply have stage fright and it will not go away. And he or she was like, why? That is your career. That is your job and I used to be like, oh proper, that is my career. So I used to be telling myself; I do that for a dwelling.
Cris Hodges joined the band in 2023 as the brand new lead singer (Picture: Equipped)
Did telling your self that make a distinction?
C: Instantly. I suppose it comes right down to a sense of worthiness. In case you do not feel worthy of the stage that you simply’re strolling out on, then in fact there’s gonna be worry. However when you really feel that you simply belong there on stage, that completely adjustments the sport.
Okay: You do not need to ever second-guess it. However Cris comes out and simply nails it. He comes out and he is a star. He is a showman. He is by no means like, whoa, what? He simply goes out and does precisely what he must do, which I am positive simply comes from his coronary heart.
C: Glad that is what it seems to be like.
Okay: Completely does, I would not say any completely different. He goes on the market and nails it. He seems to be like a rock star, and he matches the half one hundred pc. Not solely the look, you recognize, he does all of it. He talks to the followers, he is aware of what to do.
I really feel like all of us want Kenny in our lives!
C: That is Kenny’s superpower by the way in which, he loves everybody, he sees the most effective in everybody, and he’ll put you on that pedestal to make you’re feeling like you are able to do something. That is an necessary, priceless position to have in a band.
You may have VIP meet and greets at your reveals, how is it interacting with followers, particularly ones who’ve been there from the beginning?
C: One thing resonated deep with what Chester was saying and who he was as an individual. I suppose after we discuss to Gray Daze followers, it is extra like, I by no means thought that anybody else felt like this. And simply the truth that we’re in a position to say it, and Chester was in a position to say it, and then you definitely look on YouTube and see all of the feedback of those that really feel the very same manner, you robotically create a neighborhood of like-minded those that battle with the identical issues, however are additionally discovering therapeutic.
That is one of many cool components about this point in time versus 30 years in the past, now you may see folks from all over the world which might be battling the very same issues as you might be. This turns into greater than music.
I’ve learn that for Sean being in Gray Daze is now extra about having fun with with the ability to play music – there’s much less stress. Is that true for you too?
Okay: I feel if we had been youthful, we would be like, yeah, it is about us, however now it is the followers and the folks. It is exhausting to essentially clarify till you are on stage, and also you’re seeing these folks sing, and let you know all their tales about their life, and the issues that they relate to with stuff, and it is fairly superb.
C: You already know what’s fascinating? Kenny, you simply made me consider this. I’ve all the time puzzled why I benefit from the UK a lot, and performing within the UK and Europe. I feel it is as a result of persons are extra in contact with themselves. They’re giving themselves permission to truly really feel one thing. I feel in the USA, we type of miss that.
Okay: Yeah, it is the reality. If you go do this over there [to the UK], you are like, wow, I need to come again right here on a regular basis. The persons are all the time so good and pleasant, and like Cris mentioned, they let their feelings out. And what’s to not love about that?
Do you’ve gotten something particular deliberate for the tour developing?
C: We do have some surprises on stage, some Easter eggs, some issues that we’ll do to honour the previous that individuals will see and recognise instantly, however with the ability to weave within the newer work with the older work, and the way it flows collectively it is a actually particular second. I am extraordinarily excited to do that for you guys reside, I feel it is gonna be actually particular.
I assume you may be enjoying all the songs from the brand new EP?
Okay: Sure.
Cris, you have talked earlier than about turning the web page, and this tour looks as if the right alternative to simply go, right here we’re, that is Gray Daze, that is the previous and the brand new coming collectively. Does this really feel like a step ahead?
C: If there was ever any stress previously, nervousness about how we’re going to be accepted, we have already gone by way of that stage. We have gotten by way of it. We’ve got constructed a relationship with all people. I do not need to say gained folks over, however extra we have constructed relationships with the followers.
Now, they get to expertise us respecting the legacy and performing for the legacy, but additionally who we at the moment are. There’s by no means been a time with Gray Daze. Within the 30 plus 12 months historical past, there’s by no means been this second. I do not know if there ever might be. Like, that is most likely gonna be probably the most particular tour that I personally have ever carried out.
As a part of that do you’re feeling such as you’ve found what this subsequent sound and chapter of Gray Daze goes to be in the long term?
C: I can see it, and I really feel like we have now the route. [But] ever since I began performing with the band I’ve all the time mentioned this; We’ll by no means do something that the followers don’t desire. If the followers aren’t resonating with what we’re doing, that is after we cease. This isn’t one thing that was presupposed to be round for this lengthy. It is actually fan-driven.
Quite a lot of artists stick round manner longer than they need to. We have to cease earlier than we get to that time of being on the market for too lengthy. You by no means know if that is gonna be the final time to see Gray Daze, if that is gonna be the final track that Gray Daze releases. I can plan for it, however all of my plans, and all of Kenny’s plans and all of Gray Daze’s plans might disappear in a single day if it isn’t the suitable factor to do. I feel that is what makes it extra particular.
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