Formed in Phoenix, AZ in 1993, Grey Daze drummer and co-founder Sean Dowdell met Chester Bennington through mutual friends while they were still in high school. The bond was immediate, the results groundbreaking, and Grey Daze relentlessly toured on the strength of two successful albums between 1994 and 1998.

As Chester’s star rose after joining Linkin Park and major label success followed, Grey Daze’s catalog seemed to disappear into obscurity. Sean and Chester remained close friends and business partners, creating the highly successful Club Tattoo brand in the U.S.

In 2016, Chester began reforming Grey Daze, with the band set to perform at Club Tattoo’s anniversary party in September 2017. On July 20, 2017, Chester’s tragic and untimely passing sent shockwaves across the globe. The Grey Daze reunion show, which was to feature original bassist Mace Beyers and newly recruited guitarist Cristin Davis, never took place. Chester Bennington, a devoted husband and father of six, was 41 years old.

Emerging from tragedy, the remaining members of Grey Daze, who had already begun working with Chester on a new album, unearthed the original recordings of his unmistakable vocals. After much reflection, they were inspired to finish the work so it could be shared and celebrated for years to come.

In 2020, the album Amends was released on Loma Vista Recordings, reaching #1 on the UK Rock & Metal Album Chart. The record featured guest appearances from members of Korn, P.O.D., Bush, Breaking Benjamin, and included vocal performances from Chester’s family, who were deeply involved in the project.

Following the success of Amends, Grey Daze released a second posthumous album in 2022 titled The Phoenix to immortalize Chester’s distinctive vocals. The album reached #2 on the UK Rock & Metal Chart and featured guitar from Dave Navarro, vocals from Richard Patrick of Filter, and performances from Chester’s twin daughters Lily and Lila Bennington, who sang with their father one final time.

In 2023, Grey Daze were invited to perform live by long-time supporters 98KUPD, the Phoenix, AZ radio station, at U-Fest in front of more than 10,000 people. Unsure of how anyone could fill Chester’s shoes, the band brought in LA-based rock singer Cris Hodges to front the group. This performance solidified the lineup, with Hodges using his immense vocal talent to pay tribute to Chester’s legacy while ensuring fans could experience these once-hidden songs both live and on record.

By 2024, the band completed the lineup with the addition of luthier-turned-bassist Evan Nichols and Phoenix rock-scene veteran Kenny Bulka on guitar. In 2026, Grey Daze will return for their first UK tour as a five-piece, performing across six major English cities.