Hard rock outfit Mudvayne is prepping for an upcoming run across North America this summer. The upcoming tour, set to launch May 9 in Daytona Beach, Florida, will come on the heels of a late winter tour across Australia alongside Coal Chamber. The bands also toured together in summer 2023 along with Nonpoint, Butcher Babies, and Gwar on the Psychotherapy Sessions tour. Ahead of the band’s upcoming tour, which will also include a handful of support performances from Hyro The Hero, front man Chad Gray took some time Friday to talk with Mayhem Rockstar Magazine head writer Philip Sayblack about the band’s upcoming tour, his time with Hellyeah, new music from Mudvayne, the trend of theatrical stage shows, and working with the aforementioned bands. The magazine’s interview with Gray is available to read below.
MRM: First off, thank you very much for taking the time to talk with me, Chad. I remember becoming a fan of Mudvayne way back in my college day when you released your debut album, L.D. 50. And I’ve got all of Hellyeah’s music. So it’s an honor to get to interview you.
CG: You’re welcome and thank YOU.
MRM: Let’s get right into this, you guys have a new tour coming up next month. What has been the reaction from fans about the upcoming run, which will also include a stop in the magazine’s headquarters of Columbus, OH on May 16?
CG: Oh, the fan reaction has been incredible! We actually just recently went to Australia earlier this year alongside Coal Chamber. I love the fans there. If you are coming, they are coming. They are so dedicated. This tour will be just as big, and I love these big tours.
MRM: Speaking of Coal Chamber, you all spent some time on the road last year alongside them, Nonpoint, Gwar, and Butcher Babies on the Psychotherapy Sessions Tour. What was that like?
CG: Man, it was wesome. We’ve known Coal Chamber for years. They are a great band. And Nonpoint, man, we’ve known them since…well…2000 when they first broke out. Touring with them was actually one of the first tours we [Mudvayne] went on, so we’ve been friends with them for such a long time and they are great guys.
MRM: That is great. Getting back to your upcoming tour, you are bringing Hyro The Hero along for the ride. Was that as a result of the collaboration you did with him on hi single, ‘Fight’ from his new album?
CG: Yeah, it definitely did. It will only be for five dates, but I’m looking forward to it. He actually recently sent me some more stuff the other day. I as completely down for it. I thought, “This is f****** awesome.” I love that kid. I love being able to help artists like him and the younger generation.
MRM: He really is a great artist. I had the honor to check out his album recently. I want to change gears a little here and turn the attention to your other project, Hellyeah. Did that come as a result of Mudvayne putting things on hold? Is there any chance of anything new coming from Hellyeah or is that project done?
CG: That actually started before Mudvayne split. It was really hard losing Vinnie, but his death was a big reason for ending that band. I can’t ever say it’s done, but…
MRM: So, to quote Jim Carey, you’re saying there’s a chance?
CG: [laughs] ohh yeah.. about a 1 in a million chance.
MRM: Ok to that end, let’s turn back to Mudvayne. When you guys first broke out, the face paint was a big part of the band’s identity. It was that theatrical nature that lots of people connected with. Though you guys aren’t the first ones to do that. Alice Cooper has done it to a point early on. Mushroomhead and Slipknot have the masks. Lots of bands out there like In This Moment and others are doing the theatrical thing nowadays. What is your take on how seemingly prominent it is today?
CG: Yeah, it does seem like a lot of people are doing that now. Honestly, we’ve always looked to modern art and movies as inspiration. We wanted to bring a certain sort of experience to our shows. We wanted to make something immersive. Personally, I don’t have a problem with people doing what they’re doing. I’m not one to judge. I think we stopped doing it at a point because we got sick of the comparisons. So, we went without that theatrical element after a point.
MRM: Interesting. I know you only have but so much time. I wanted to bring things full circle with one more question. Looking forward, I’ve been reading and hearing that Mudvayne has been working on some new music. With the new tour only a short time away, can fans expect to hear any of that music on the tour?
CG: We’re trying hard. The big question is do we want the same thing? I know a lot of bands out there like to say, “Oh, this is the heaviest stuff we’ve done” and “oh, this is the best we’ve done,” but I think this is arguably some of the best song writing we’ve done. I think it’s really cool.
MRM: So with what you’ve gotten done, is this something that’s a natural evolution of the band or is it something different?
CG: I think it’s that evolution. We’re still working on it and I think people would go bananas if they heard it. Fans likely won’t hear it on the upcoming tour since we’re still working on it, though. We are trying to make this music happen, though.
MRM: Duly noted. WellI know fans are looking forward to hearing the rest of Mudvayne’s music this spring and summer. So good luck on the tour and thanks again for the time.
CG: Quite welcome.
Mudvayne’s upcoming tour includes a stop May 11 at the Hollywood Casino Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA. The performance is the kickoff for the venue’s “Outdoor Concert Series.” The concert series this year also features planned performances from the likes of Bush, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Lita Ford. Famed comedy act The Impractical Jokers (of TruTV fame) are also on the bill for this year’s series. Hyro The Hero will also be along for the ride with Mudvayne for its upcoming stop at the casino.
Audiences can purchase tickets for that and all of its outdoor concert series shows here. According to information provided to Mayhem Rockstar Magazine, $2 of every ticket purchased will go to benefit Penn Heroes Charities. Having started in late 2021, the venue’s now annual concert series has featured performances from the likes of Journey, Skid Row, and Third Eye Blind. On an added note, hometown boy Bret Michaels sold out the venue last year for his performance.
More information on Mudvayne’s upcoming concert at the Hollywood Casino Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://mudvayneofficial.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mudvayne