Grey Daze Explained

Grey Daze
Origin:Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Label:Loma Vista

Grey Daze is an alternative rock band from Phoenix, Arizona formed in 1993. They are known for being one of the first bands of Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington.[1]

History

Grey Daze was formed in 1993 by drummer Sean Dowdell alongside Chester Bennington, both previously members of Sean Dowdell and His Friends? in addition to guitarist Steve Mitchell and bassist Jonathan Krause. Although they saw several lineup changes, the band remained together for five years, releasing two full-length albums: Wake Me in 1994 and ...No Sun Today in 1997.[2] In 1998, Bennington and Beyers left the band due to internal conflicts, ultimately leading to Grey Daze disbanding altogether. In 1999, Bennington joined the band Xero, which later became Linkin Park.[3]

The band remained inactive until a proposed reunion by Bennington in 2017.[4] Due to Bennington's death not long after, the reunion never took place. However, work soon began on what would become the album Amends. The album was eventually finalized and released in June 2020, using Bennington's original vocals on top of re-recorded instrumentation, consisting of original members bassist Mace Beyers and drummer Sean Dowdell, joined by Cristin Davis on guitar, in addition to a number of collaboriations with Bennington's friends and family.[4] [2] The album was met with positive reception upon its release and peaked at number 75 on the Billboard 200.[5] [6] [7]

In January 2021, a five-track EP titled Amends...Stripped was released, containing acoustic versions of songs from Amends.[8]

In June 2022, the band released their second full-length album since their return, titled The Phoenix. The album uses Bennington's original vocals similar to Amends. The album contains ten tracks, including singles "Saturation (Strange Love)" and "Starting to Fly" and featured guest appearances from Bennington's daughters Lily and Lila, as well as Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction and Richard Patrick of Filter.[9] [10] [11] The album received generally positive to mixed ratings.[12] [10]

Members

Current members

Past members

Discography

AlbumAlbum detailsPeak chart
positions
AUSAUTGERSWIUKUK
Rock
US
Wake Me
  • Released: October 1994[13]
  • Formats: CD
...No Sun Today
  • Released: May 23, 1997
  • Formats: CD
Amends
  • Released: June 26, 2020
  • Formats: CD, LP, download, streaming
30 29 9 17 62 1 75
The Phoenix
  • Release: June 17, 2022
  • Format: CD, LP, download, streaming
27 87
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US Main.
[14]
US
Rock
[15]
US
Rock
Air.
[16]
"What's In the Eye?"2020Amends
"Sickness"2 35 11
"Sometimes"
"Soul Song"40
"B12"29
"Anything, Anything"2021The Phoenix
"Saturation (Strange Love)"2022
"Starting to Fly"
"Drag"

Music videos

YearTitleDirectorAlbum
2020"What's in the Eye"Zev DeansAmends
"Sickness"Nico Poalillo and Brandon Rottman
"Soul Song"Jaime Bennington
"B12"Marc Silverstein
"In Time"Daniel Silva and Danilo Silgepe
"Shouting Out"
2022"Saturation (Strange Love)"Marc SilversteinThe Phoenix
"Starting to Fly"Heidi Gadd
"Drag"

Notes and References

  1. News: Grey Daze discography. Discogs.
  2. Web site: Album Review: Grey Daze – Amends . . 25 June 2020 . 10 November 2023.
  3. Rolling Stone Magazine, Linkin Park – Biography (March 14, 2002), The Linkin Park Times; retrieved on June 24, 2007.
  4. https://www.spin.com/2020/02/grey-dazes-sean-dowdell-on-finishing-their-new-album-without-chester-bennington-it-literally-grinded-on-me/ Grey Daze's Sean Dowdell Remembers Chester Bennington | SPIN
  5. Billboard 200: July 11, 2020. Billboard. February 12, 2021.
  6. Web site: Amends by Grey Daze Reviews and Tracks. Metacritic. 26 June 2020.
  7. Web site: Yeung . Neil Z. . CD Reviews – Amends Grey Daze . . 26 June 2020 . 2 March 2022 .
  8. Web site: EP review: Grey Daze – Amends... Stripped . . 29 January 2021 . 10 November 2023 . Hickie, James.
  9. Web site: GREY DAZE Honors CHESTER BENNINGTON On The Phoenix, Discusses Studio Battle & Being "Erased" By Warner Bros. . Metal Injection . 14 June 2022 . 10 November 2023 . Collins, Dillon.
  10. Web site: Album Review ~ Grey Daze . im-musicmagazine.com/ . 28 June 2022 . 10 November 2023.
  11. Web site: Listen to Chester Bennington on new Grey Daze album 'The Phoenix' . . 15 April 2022 . 10 November 2023 . Qureshi, Arusa.
  12. Web site: Grey Daze - The Phoenix . . 10 November 2023.
  13. News: Ed. Masley. 'Raw talent from day one': How Chester Bennington found his voice as a Phoenix teen. The Arizona Republic. July 12, 2020. July 12, 2020.
  14. Mainstream Rock Charts: Week of May 23, 2020 . Billboard . May 19, 2020.
  15. Hot Rock Songs Chart: Week of May 23, 2020 . Billboard . May 19, 2020.
  16. Rock Airplay: Week of May 30, 2020 . Billboard . June 1, 2020.