Grey Daze perhaps not as familiar to those on this side of the pond are the origin story behind one of the most recognisable rock voices in a generation. Chester Bennington’s star rose beyond his boyhood band after joining Linkin Park and achieving major label success, though he never forgot his roots. Sean Dowdell the drummer and co-founder of Grey Daze remained great friends with the singer even creating a business together forming a hugely successful brand ‘Club Tattoo’ in the US. The band are now back and set to tour across the UK, sadly without their founding member.
Dowdell first met Bennington through mutual friends while they were still in high school and they formed an almost instantaneous bond creating what became Grey Daze. The band first formed in Phoenix AZ back in 1993 and went on to relentlessly tour after releasing two very successful albums between 1994 and 1998.
In 2016, Bennington instigated the reformation of the band and made plans to perform at Club Tattoo’s anniversary party in September 2017. Unfortunately, as we all know On 20th July 2017, the dedicated husband and father of six tragically died at the age of 41 sending shockwaves across the globe. So, the Grey Daze reunion show never happened. The reunion also would have featured original bass player Mace Beyers and newly recruited guitarist Cristin Davis, though they still remain part of the lineup for the upcoming tour.
However, the story doesn’t end there despite the terrible tragedy, the remaining members had already begun working with Bennington on a new album and unearthed the original recordings of his unique and powerful vocals. At first, as you might expect the band went back and forth over what to do with the recordings. In the end after much deliberation, they finished the album so they could celebrate their friend and band member for years to come.
Grey Daze released Amends on Loma Vista Recordings which included guest appearances from members of Korn, POD, Bush, Breaking Benjamin and even vocal performances from Bennington’s family. The album then went on to reach #1 in the UK rock & metal album charts. Due to the success of Amends, they released their second posthumous album in 2022 entitled The Phoenix which reached #2 in the UK rock and metal chart. This time they featured guitarists such as Dave Navarro, Richard Patrick from Filter and even twins Lily and Lila Bennington who got to sing with their father one last time.
As Bennington is sadly no longer with us the band needed someone to fill the almost Doc-Martin-sized shoes of the frontman. The band recruited LA-based emerging rock singer Cris Hodges who using his own immense talent pays tribute to the unforgettable legacy of the vocalist. Grey Daze are scheduled to perform in the UK for the very first time in May 2024, marking 30 years since their first release. Tickets are available to purchase here and you can view the tour dates below as well as keep up with the band on social media.
Grey Daze UK Tour 2024:
12th May – Thekla, Bristol
14th May – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
15th May – Cathouse, Glasgow
16th May – Rebellion, Manchester
17th May – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
18th May – The Garage, London
