Key Insights
- Chad Gray is exploring new music possibilities with his solo band while still committed to Mudvayne.
- He enjoys the DIY approach of touring during Mudvayne’s off year, focusing on fan reactions.
- Gray reflects on the importance of metal in his life and its impact on fans.
- He emphasizes the significance of community among those who feel like outsiders.
In the second part of the two-part interview with Full Metal Jackie about his “30 Years of Madness” solo tour, Mudvayne and Hellyeah vocalist Chad Gray hints at the possibility of new music with his current solo band, though it comes with a “wait and see” caveat.
Talking with Full Metal Jackie for her weekend radio show, Gray shares, “If this looks like it could be something more, I might create some new music. I might write some new music, just solo stuff.” But he’s quick to affirm, “I still am doing Mudvayne. I still wanna do Mudvayne. But I’m loving doing this because I’m having the opportunity to play Hellyeah music again. But I’m still very much in Mudvayne and I’m still doing Mudvayne. We’ll see what happens with more new music from Mudvayne, but hopefully I’ll be able to.”
At present, Gray’s enjoyed the DIY approach to fielding a band and touring during Mudvayne’s 2026 off year, but he continues to monitor the fan reaction to what he’s been providing, “It’s just all gonna depend on how it’s received, honestly. But if it does well and the tour is great, then that’s kind of a no-brainer. Then maybe I should do it. But time will tell.”
Elsewhere in the interview, he confirms that he had concerns about Mudvayne getting deep into 2026 without a plan for 2027 and admits that’s where things stand at the moment.
This part of the interview also delves into Gray’s observations on the solo band he’s put together, carrying the metal mantle for a new generation like his favorite bands once did for him and reflecting on the albums that best represented the most rewarding periods of his career. Check out more of the chat below.
It’s Full Metal Jackie. Chad Gray is my guest on the show this week. We’ve back with part two of our interview talking about “30 Years of Madness.” Chad, throughout your career, you’ve been with Mudvayne or Hellyeah, and there’s been a label behind you. This “30 Years of Madness” has been largely something started up on your own. Have you enjoyed this experience of building this from the ground up, picking your musicians, deciding when and where to play and making your own path?
Yeah. It’s been awesome. I’m doing it with my wife. It’s so much fun. Shannon [Gunz] and I are best friends and now we’re business partners. When this thing first started, because Shannon gets very into what she’s into, whether it’s her work with @Radio or her work as the manager of Chad Gray.
I thought I was gonna lose my wife to this, ’cause it was like, we’d be laying in bed, we’d be talking about, “Oh, we gotta do this, we gotta do that. What do you wanna do about this? Or what do you wanna do about that?” all day.
And then we’re laying in bed one night, it’s like 8:00 or 8:30. We go to bed early, and we’re laying there, we’re watching a show, and she pauses the show and she’s like, “Oh, I was gonna ask you. What do you think about…” I like, “You know what, Shannon?” I was like, “I gotta pause right there.” I was like, “I am not losing my wife to Chad Gray.” “You are Chad Gray’s wife, but I’m not losing my wife to being Chad Gray’s manager.” I’m like, “We’ve got to draw lines here.” So we’ve got some boundaries now, but it’s been a lot of fun doing it with her. She’s a really smart girl and very creative and we’re creative together and it’s been a lot of fun doing it with her.
But it’s been a lot of fun with these guys I’m playing with. Marcus [Rafferty] is one of my best friends forever. Marcus worked for Hellyeah for years as a guitar tech. He worked for Mudvayne as a guitar tech. So Marcus and I go way back. And then Marcus, we brought him in as the utility player in Mudvayne when we came back together. And then Greg [Tribbett]’s wife passed and Marcus stepped up into Greg’s spot and we got another utility player for his spot.
So Marcus and I are super, super close. And I’m doing this with him and it means just so much to me. I love him so much. And he’s been a savior in a lot of ways. He’s been a fire plug under my ass to do it. I can run things by him. So it’s been awesome doing it with him.
We’ve had two or three different drummers before we landed on Devin [Attard], but Devin’s a phenomenal drummer, man. He’s so great and he’s so young. He’s 26 years old and he is just so grateful and so willing to work. He’s willing to put the time and energy into playing these songs and… But he’s that good of a drummer. He can do it. There are certain drummers that would not be able to play this music from a drumming standpoint. You’re talking Matt McDonough, who’s the self-proclaimed super genius brainiac and that’s how he plays. And then you’ve got Vinnie Paul, that’s just that complete other side of it, a completely different style … more laid back, groove-oriented. But Devin does a really good job playing both of those roles.
Chad, you were talking about the members of your band. Tell us more about the other guys.
I met a guy, Joe Bonasorte, out here in Vegas that’s another one of those Vegas players like [Christian] Brady. I was introduced to him through Brady. He’s that guy that plays in six different things on six different nights, you know? So he’s a phenomenal guitar player.
Nick [Villarreal] is one of the best bass players, I swear to God. He can play Ryan [Martinie]’s stuff note for note. He can play Kyle [Sanders]’s stuff note for note.
The band I’ve assembled is just incredible and they’re all just super nice and super gracious and super grateful and super humble. It’s the nicest. There’s no fucking egos in the room at all. It’s just incredible to play with these dudes. Again, I just wanna see what happens.
READ MORE: Chad Gray Discusses Bringing Two Worlds of Fun Into One Great Show
If this looks like it could be something more, I might create some new music. I might write some new music, just solo stuff. I still am doing Mudvayne. I still wanna do Mudvayne. But I’m loving doing this because I’m having the opportunity to play Hellyeah music again. But I’m still very much in Mudvayne and I’m still doing Mudvayne. We’ll see what happens with more new music from Mudvayne, but you know, hopefully I’ll be able to. It’s just all gonna depend on how it’s received, honestly. But if it does well and the tour is great, then that’s kind of a no-brainer. Then maybe I should do it. But time will tell.
Chad, metal was there for you as a kid and you had bands that you looked up to. At 30 years in, you’re now that guy. There’s a generation of kids that grew up on L.D. 50 and “Dig.” What does it mean to you to carry that metal mantle just like your heroes did for you?
It’s one of the things I’m most grateful for in my life, to be able to be a metal kid, just have this passionate love affair with metal like I did. To have this music save my life literally and then be handed a torch and say, “Hey, now you carry it till it’s time for you to pass it.” And it’s just like, “Huh?”
But I’ve been able to carry the torch for metal, man. I never thought that I would ever be able to do that. So many people try really, really, really hard for a long time and some are able to do it and some don’t hit the mark. I’m more grateful for that than I probably am any other thing in my life.
A piece of me is in the history books of metal from the inception of metal. It just keeps moving and it keeps growing and it keeps vacillating and it just keeps going and going and going. And it’s gonna be here long after I am, and long after the next guy that carries the torch is and long after the next guy that carries the torch is.
Let’s hope anyway. Metal’s saved people’s lives. I’ve talked about it in depth and I share it in my stories. I share it in my songs how much this music’s done for me. And I’m grateful to be able to share those stories with other people and to remind people that they’re not alone; to remind people that if anyone wonders; the world I came from is a very lonely world; everything is internalized.
You come from an alcoholic family; you come from an abusive family; you come from sexual assaults; you come from things like that; you don’t scream that from the mountaintops; you internalize; And it’s probably about the loneliest place in the world; And metal spoke to me in a way that let me know that I wasn’t alone.
Based on what I was hearing lyrically from other artists; I was like; “Oh; that sounds like that guy’s been through what I’m going through.” You know; it sounds like You know what I mean? Like And all of a sudden; it’s just like this big; deep breath; Like; “Okay; I’m not alone.”
That’s what your music is doing for fans now.
Absolutely; there’s at least one other guy; that’s why I’ve just always wore my life on my sleeve; I don’t hold anything back; I just put it all out there because you never know who it’s gonna touch.
Look; I can write a song; and I put people on on-ramps right? Or put people on the road; This is where I’m going with this; But the whole way I write vague and ambiguous so as I’m writing; I’m giving people off-ramps to where they can take it and make it applicable to their life.
Because I think that’s so important that people are able to make it applicable to their existence; If people find something in something that I put out there; that’s the greatest gift that I could be given; ‘Cause that’s always my intention; My intention’s always been to help; My intention’s always been to help the way that music helped me; And that’s how it helped me; It helped me because it spoke to me; Because I was listening; someone was acting as the voice of the voiceless; And now I get to be that voice too.
I’m hoping others who found inspiration can also become voices for those who feel unheard as we continue this journey together because we are family.
We are social pariahs; we are outcasts who don’t fit in; but I’ve accepted not fitting in now since I’ve found my tribe among others who also feel outcasted.
That’s something else music gave me too when at 13 years old someone handed me Too Fast for Love; It touched me immediately upon hearing its first riff which led me back home after borrowing its tape from my friend.
This connection through music allowed me recognition among peers who shared similar tastes regardless of our appearances or backgrounds—bonding over our love for Mötley Crüe—and suddenly feeling accepted within our community felt monumental—like discovering something larger than myself which filled an emptiness within me—something I’ll forever cherish while striving onward.
Obviously, Mudvayne, reunion has kept you busy recently while collectively deciding on taking breaks this year due largely due Greg’s personal loss last year alongside his upcoming album release alongside his brother—what’s happening regarding Mudvayne?
I knew we discussed taking 2026 off yet felt compelled towards action since deep into 2026 nothing regarding plans seemed forthcoming which brings us here today!
I haven’t heard anything concrete regarding “big plans” ahead! Thus far only murmurs suggest finality surrounding our future together!
I’m glad I’ve pursued these endeavors instead since remaining idle isn’t where happiness lies!
I thrive performing live alongside talented friends while sharing experiences together!
If we’re reflecting upon “30 years” what stands out most rewarding during your musical journey? When did creativity flourish alongside personal fulfillment?
Difficult question! Each project brought unique moments! With Mudvayne, recording our debut album produced exhilarating energy!
The anticipation leading up felt surreal—wondering whether success awaited us or if failure loomed instead!
The effort poured into writing/recording resulted ultimately yielded success upon release!
The experience remains unforgettable! However every album holds significance within my heart!
The transition towards creating Blood For Blood, working alongside Kevin Churko proved pivotal following Greg’s departure during production phases!
The first day entering studio set tone—discussing ideas while collaborating closely forged bonds between us!
The moment Kevin praised “Moth” solidified belief within ourselves—setting expectations high across remaining tracks!
This mindset propelled us forward towards crafting an exceptional body-of-work reflecting dedication throughout!
I took Kevin’s words seriously—ensuring each song matched strength found within “Moth”—regardless stylistic differences!
This commitment resulted ultimately yielding Blood For Blood‘s completeness—a significant milestone achieved!
The subsequent project titled Welcome Home, faced challenges post-Vinnie’s passing requiring immense emotional resilience!
I sought solace through prayer while grappling feelings surrounding loss—determined finishing songs honoring legacy left behind!
This journey tested limits yet strengthened bonds forged between Kevin & myself during production phases!
Together we navigated grief ensuring Vinnie’s spirit remained alive throughout process—ultimately culminating into beautiful tribute honoring him!
The journey remains profound testament showcasing resilience amidst adversity—demonstrating power found within collaboration!
I believe Vinnie would undoubtedly take pride witnessing current endeavors unfold—“30 Years Of Madness” tour continues bringing joy fans across globe!
I extend gratitude towards Chad Gray participating throughout our discussion today! Tickets remain available while following updates via Instagram account along Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show airing regularly!
60 Rockers Who’ve Been in Multiple Successful Bands
[with Hellyeah][Sanders][Martinie][Villarreal][Christian][Attard][Tribbett][Rafferty][Gunz]
