In a deeply emotional new interview, Mudvayne frontman Chad Gray has confessed that he would “rather be at home in bed in a fetal position crying right now,” but that he is continuing the band’s current tour for two key reasons: to honor the wishes of his grieving bandmate, Greg Tribbett, and because of the “profound and very, very powerful” connection he shares with the fans each night.
The band is currently on their “L.D. 50” 25th-anniversary tour without founding guitarist Greg Tribbett, whose wife, Debbie, tragically passed away earlier this month after a courageous, year-and-a-half-long battle with cancer. Speaking with Idaho’s KBEAR 101 radio station, Gray opened up about the immense emotional difficulty of performing under such heartbreaking circumstances.
He said:
“We are excited to be standing on any stage we can be on because I’m telling you what, I would rather be at home in bed in a fetal position crying right now. But I’m out here. I’m out here for Greg. He wanted us to do this tour. And there’s no way that I could do what I’m doing right now if I didn’t have the love and support of my fans that are standing in front of me every single night. You love days off out here, ’cause it’s a grind, but I’m telling you what — that’s one thing I miss about a day off. I might be relaxing or whatever, or chilling, but, man, a big part of me wants to be on stage, ’cause what we exchange is profound and very, very powerful and it is absolutely giving me the motivation. My fans, my friends, my family, my tribe are giving me all the love and support that I need. So just thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The tour, which celebrates the band’s landmark 2000 debut album, has been tempered by the tragedy. Gray also reflected on how different touring is now compared to their early days, when they toured for “26 months” straight in support of the original L.D. 50 release. While he personally wishes they could tour more, he understands the modern reality of not wanting to “overtour” a market. He believes the band’s two new singles, “Hurt People Hurt People” and “Sticks And Stones,” are crucial for the “staying power and longevity” of their comeback.
The heartbreaking news of Debbie Tribbett‘s passing was first shared on September 7 by the official Mudvayne Mob fan page, a community she was deeply involved with.
“With the heaviest of hearts we mourn the loss of our dearest most beautiful friend Debbie Tribbett,” the statement read. “Anyone who has been here from the start of the Mob family knows she was a huge integral part of this page and the family… She was fiercely supportive of Mudvayne and her loving husband Greg always so proud! I thank her for bringing her love and light to so many of us who were lucky enough to connect with her. We miss you beautiful sweet friend more than words can say god bless you and may your family be blessed with strength.”
Mudvayne “L.D. 50 25th Anniversary” U.S. Tour Dates:
- Sep. 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
- Sep. 27 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
- Sep. 28 – Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Palladium
- Sep. 30 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
- Oct. 01 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort and Casino
- Oct. 05 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock (Festival)
- Oct. 07 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union
- Oct. 11 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
- Oct. 12 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
- Oct. 13 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
- Oct. 16 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater
- Oct. 18 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
- Oct. 19 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
- Oct. 21 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
- Oct. 22 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
- Oct. 24 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
- Oct. 25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
- Oct. 26 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
