CHAD GRAY BRINGS HIS “30 YEARS OF MADNESSS” TOUR TO BOSTON

Photos By: Holly Roy Photography
Review By: Kat Gullage

​Chad Gray made a stop at Big Night Live in Boston’s West End to deliver a little of both worlds, performing Mudvayne and Hellyeah, with Butcher Babies along for support.
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Can’t walk a block anywhere without someone recognizing our trusty photographer, Holly, so naturally she was gettin chatted up on the way in. I spotted one girl whose style immediately caught my eye, black form-fitting long-sleeve kinda crop top paired with chartreuse ruched parachute pants that somehow looked both comfy and cool. And, of course, hair and makeup on point.

The highlight though, was being welcomed by Gray’s guitarist, and genuinely legit individual, Marcus Rafferty. Even though he was on the hunt for lost keys, he stopped to hang and laugh with us until we had to head inside. We walked away, our faces plastered with smiles courtesy of Rafferty’s shiny positive vibes.

I’d heard of Butcher Babies, but this was my first time reviewing them. I knew their off-putting band name was actually based on a song by the Plasmatics, “Butcher Baby”. I knew they began with two kick ass female vocalists, but one of them, Carla Harvey, departed the group in 2024. I knew they had five studio LPs and three EPs and would hit on five of em in their twelve song set.

As it turns out though, I didn’t know shit.
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Cuz the Butcher Babies took the stage and lead vocalist Heidi Shepherd was none other than my fashionista crush with the fierce outfit! She yelled “What the fuck is up Boston?” before they assaulted us with two from ...Til The World’s Blind, “Backstreets of Tennessee” and “Red Thunder”. The vocals bounced from soft and melodious to metalcore growl so I tried to figure out who the hell else was singing.

It. Was. Just. Her.

Okay, bassist Sean Violet did contribute some back up vocals, but it was Heidi’s flex that impressed me. “Goddammit Boston we are so absolutely grateful to be with you here tonight. You have my permission to go wild in the pit, up above, in the booths!” She introduced us to the ‘Butcher Baby Chant’ which incited a back and forth of “No you can’t stop movin”.

“We are the Butcher Babies and we are here, Boston, to fuck shit up! Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages……” Heidi proclaimed as she jumped on the rail, intent on firing up the crowd to their full potential for “Monsters Ball” (Take It Like A Man) followed by the first single released without Carla, “Sincerity” (The Insincerity EP). That track that resonated with me the most.

They headed back to Blind for “Beaver Cage” and then “It’s Killin’ Time, Baby!” (Eye For An Eye), before two from Nightbloom with “Lost In Your Touch” and, “What’s that Boston?” The frontwoman asked coyly. “What did you say? Oh, you want something heavy?” before she snarled “Open this pit up!” for “Black Dove”.

The bass player spanked his axe like they were alone in a room. Lead guitarist, Henry Flury, joined in and the trio went absolutely wild up front for “Spittin’ Teeth” with both axemen jumping onto the risers, Heidi bounced around and threw up the occasional impressive high kick while drummer Dave Nickles thundered behind them.

Next thing I knew Heidi was throwing out instructions “Please open it up, I’m comin in” and, poof, she was in the middle of the pit which went from sluggish and sporadic to a full blown one for “Blame It On The Wind” (Nightbloom).

The band fed us the intro to Korn’s “Blind” while Shepherd made her way back to the stage for “Last December”. “Boston, thank you guys so much! We’re doing something new on this tour, we gotta do it quick!”

She pulled up a fan to write the gig location and deets on their white drum kit. The fan, Jordan, was asked to give her best scream and she did not disappoint. “We are the Butcher Babies and this is our last song of the night.” Heidi had the crowd scream in a wave which was fun. They pulled from Goliath for the set closer, “Magnolia Blvd.”.

The Butcher Babies are all grown up but they’ll still take you on in the pit. Catch em live and see for yourself!

Chad Gray, who also answers to “Kud”, “Chüd”, “Chadnesss” or “Helvis”, was the frontman and lead vocalist for the metal bands Mudvayne and Hellyeah. And the loyal followers of both flocked to hear him unleash those songs and celebrate thirty years of his madnesss.

Chad took the stage with half of his face painted Mudvayne style and half makeup-less for Hellyeah, then proceeded to pummel our earholes with a fourteen song set. He kicked it off with “HELLYEAH” from Hellyeah’s self titled album, followed by “Moth” (Blood For Blood). Some dude at the bar was rocking out so hard he made the floor shake. And that was just at the bar!

Chad almost tripped on a riser during “Moth” but managed to stay upright. Phew! Cuz a few years ago he actually did tumble off the stage, ironically while performing “Not Falling”. The show must go on, and it did, with a Mudvayne track, fan favorite “Happy?” (Lost And Found).

Chad took a breather to address his loyal fans. “Boston Mass is alive and well tonight! Front to back you guys have been incredible! We have a new thing where you guys choose the song.” I thought that was so fuckin cool. “I’m just a troublemaker metalhead” the frontman chuckled. The choice was between two Hellyeah tracks off of Blood For Blood, “Demons In The Dirt” or “Sangre Por Sangre”. As the crowd shouted out their choices, the singer remarked “Don’t fucking fight, it’s all good. Someone loses, someone wins, it's all good!” It was so good that the band performed both of them. Turns out nobody had to lose.

Back to Mudvayne for “Death Blooms” (L.D. 50) a deeply personal song Chad wrote in tribute to his grandmother who raised him and endured a long battle with cancer. Gray then confessed to his followers, “Thank you so goddamn much. For thirty years you’ve been tellin me I saved your life. You saved me, gave me purpose. You’ve given me a reason to live. My friends around the world have saved me. I’ve written songs, like I dunno, it’s telling my story. Gonna put this out there, maybe they been through it. Tell ya what, it’s hard knocks out there. Sometimes, this next one, not sure if I shoulda released it.” The song in question was Hellyeah’s “Hush”, a slower roll bursting with emotion. Its message about domestic violence sometimes staying hidden, while at the same time encouraging escape and survival.

More Mudvayne was on deck with “Nothing To Gein” (L.D. 50) and “Dull Boy” (The New Game). We got to play the choice game again! The singer prefaced it with “When you come to a metal show, ya scream and let all that pent up bullshit go!” Fans had to decide once again between two Hellyeah tunes, “333” (Welcome Home) or “Say When” (Blood For Blood) and the latter was the clear winner.

Mudvayne’s well known “World So Cold” (The End Of All Things To Come) had the crowd singing along. The official setlist outlined (-1 or Silenced), both Mudvayne songs, at this point but we got neither. We did get more Mudvayne with “Not Falling” (The End) and more Hellyeah with “Love Fails”. The solid set closed with fan favorite and certified pit instigator “Dig” off Mudvayne’s L.D. 50.

Gray was backed by bassist Nick Villarreal, drummer Devin Attard and guitarists Joe Bonasorte and our boy Marcus Rafferty. The sound clarity was spot on and the band played with enthusiasm and pride the entire night. The diehard fans of all ages that packed the venue got exactly what they came for.

Chad Gray’s resume includes five studio albums with Mudvayne, six with the supergroup Hellyeah, multiple vocal guest appearances and was one of the producers of the nu-metal band Nonpoint’s album Miracle.

Did you love Mudvayne and/or Hellyeah? Hit up one of Chad’s shows when he steamrolls through your town. Double check the dates first though, been noticing some last minute tweaks.

BUTCHER BABIES

CHAD GRAY