Arizona rock band GREY DAZE reformed back in 2017, 16 years after their disbandment. Chester Bennington re-joined the band, with plans of new music 20 years after the bands second record was released. Sadly, Chester passed away later that year, and it wasn’t until three years later where the bands third record ‘Amends’ was unveiled into the world, with Chester’s voice taking centre stage, and once again on their 2022 release ‘The Phoenix’. We sat down with original drummer Sean Dowdell and current vocalist Cris Hodges to chat about their upcoming first ever UK tour, how it feels to be performing live again and what the future looks like for the band.

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Grey Daze are currently in the studio right now, what has the reception been like on the news of a new music?

Cris: First of all, we wanted to make sure we were taking a step in the right direction of what we are doing. If the fans want to hear new music from Grey Daze, we absolutely can make that happen. We had a simple line that we said on a radio station here in Los Angeles and that kind of caught fire. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We got into the studio and it’s a whole new experience for us to be in a room together. We decided to do this the old school way, all of us get into a room, let’s bring the riffs, bring the ideas and see what happens, no expectations. What happened was really special, probably the most energetic music I have heard from Grey Daze. It was very surreal and special for me to be a part of this. The new music for Grey Daze is very much Grey Daze, but there is a unique energy that I haven’t heard from the band before.

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What sparked the idea of bringing Cris into the band?

Sean: We kept getting live show offers, and you could say I was the bad guy for turning down shows for years and years. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the idea of being on stage with the band without Chester. The offers continued to come in and the fans kept asking too so I said fine, let’s do it. Cristian and Mace sat me down and we discussed the idea of how to do it live and for it to make sense, it had to be special and still have the same intentions in a respectful and meaningful way. We had met Cris before and went to see him play some of his shows in LA and we got along straight away. One day I called him and said that we’re thinking about doing this, is this something you’d be interested in doing? Cris was totally down and had some ideas of his own. He did his homework, he knew the songs, and once we got up and running it came natural.

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Did you feel any type of pressure coming in to the band in place of Chester?

Cris: Yes, 1000%. I feel that pressure to this day and that pressure will never go away. That is an important part of this project. If that pressure goes away, I feel I wouldn’t be respecting the project in the way it needs to be respected. Chester was an influence to me growing up so it felt natural to me to fall into that role, but at the same time, every step that I take, I am second guessing it and if it’s the right move as a whole. All four of his have approached it the same, is this the right step for the project? I think if we keep doing that, we can give the fans what they want.

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How excited are you to finally be touring in the UK this spring?

Cris: This is something special. ‘Amends’ went to #1 in the UK rock charts in the UK; we found out recently that ‘The Phoenix’ went to #2. I don’t think Sean even realised that happened. When we were presented the opportunity to come over to the UK, again we wanted to make sure that is the right step to take. So when we made the announcement, the reception was overwhelming positive, and at that point we knew that this is going to be something special. Being able to introduce this music live to a UK audience is pretty amazing.

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The UK tour is taking place in some intimate venues across the country. Do you prefer those types of shows?

Sean: I think it depends on the audience. We have played huge festivals where the audience isn’t into it before. Who cares if there’s 8000 people there if they aren’t into what you are doing, I’d rather have 500 people who love what you’re doing. If you can have 10,000 people that love what you’re doing, the bigger shows can be more exciting, but I think both have elements that you can appreciate for different reasons.

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What is the next step for the band after the tour has completed?

Cris: We’re definitely going to be writing new music. We are having discussions about it on a daily basis. This is kind of like wildfire. We’re not dictating anything and we’re not going to force this. If the people want live shows, we’re going to make sure they are the best live shows they have seen. If they want music, it is the same concept. The fans really dictate where this goes. Right now, it looks to be that we’re booking more shows after the UK tour, the songs are coming, the album as a whole may come. I think right now I want to live in the moment and appreciate what we have. If it happens, it happens.

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Have either of you visited the UK before outside of the band?

Sean: I have been to the UK about five times. I love London, I love Manchester, and I love Nottingham. I have been all over Wales and Ireland. I spent a month there and the people are super nice, I can’t wait. I know its Cris’ first time so we have been telling him stories. Mace lived in London, Cristian has been several times also.

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What stories have you told Cris about the UK?

Sean: I have been to Stonehenge and Bath, I have literally been all over. There are different settings and things that are important to the local areas. It all depends on what experience you want and you can get it all in the UK, just in different areas. The common theme in our stories has been just how kind and nice the people are.

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Is there any particular city you are looking forward to playing the most, or is it a collective excitement because it’s your first time?

Cris: We were on a call with an interviewer from Glasgow, and she was talking about how insane the shows are up there. I am of the mind, the more the insane the people, the better the show. So if that’s what Glasgow’s bringing, let’s do it. On a personal note, one of my favourite things to do in a new town is go to your hole in the wall pub and have a beer with the people, and get peoples recommendations of where to go.

Sean: I want some fish and chips, some real UK grub.

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How important is it to look after yourself whilst on the road?

Cris: I am the most boring person on the road, I saw an interview with David Draiman (Disturbed) and he said being on the road as a vocalist is the most isolating thing ever. It is vocal rest all day long; you are barely talking to anyone. Getting as much sleep as possible, hot tea and exercise. It’s like silent boot camp.

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As it’s your first time in the UK, what is your rider going to include?

Sean: I think on Mace’s rider it will be 10 pictures of feet.

Cris: I am really boring, I need water, and I need celery.

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A massive thank you to both Sean and Cris for taking time out of their day to chat with us, and give fans an insight into the bands history and what they can expect on their upcoming UK tour.

Grey Daze will be performing in the UK this May on the following dates:

12th May – Bristol, Thekla
14th May – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
15th May – Glasgow, Cathouse
16th May – Manchester, Rebellion
17th May – Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill
18th May – London, The Garage