The Grey Daze Lineup: Tracing The Members Who Carried Chester Bennington's Legacy Into 2026

Grey Daze, the alternative rock band best known as the pre-Linkin Park home of the late, iconic vocalist Chester Bennington, has undergone a significant evolution, culminating in a powerful new chapter in late 2025 and early 2026. Far from being a relic of the past, the band has meticulously honored its history while driving forward with new music, a fresh lineup, and an anticipated 2026 full-length album, marking their first with a new lead singer since the 90s. The story of Grey Daze is a poignant narrative of friendship, loss, and the enduring power of music, anchored by a rotating cast of talented musicians who have preserved and amplified Chester’s original vision.

The band’s journey, which began in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1993, is defined by two distinct eras: the original 90s run that produced the albums Wake Me and ...No Sun Today, and the modern reincarnation that brought the posthumous albums Amends and The Phoenix to life. Understanding the "members of Grey Daze" means appreciating the core group who started it all and the musicians who stepped up to ensure the music’s legacy lived on, eventually welcoming a new voice to the fold.

The Grey Daze Biography: Original and Modern Core Members

The history of Grey Daze is primarily centered around the enduring partnership between a young Chester Bennington and his close friend, drummer Sean Dowdell. The band saw several lineup changes during its original run, but the core members who returned for the modern tribute albums are the most critical figures in the band's current narrative.

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Original 1990s Lineup (Key Figures)

• Chester Bennington (Vocals): (1993–1998, 2017) – The charismatic and powerhouse lead vocalist who co-founded the band. His 90s-era vocals were the foundation for the posthumous albums Amends and The Phoenix.
• Sean Dowdell (Drums, Backing Vocals): (1993–2001, 2017, 2019–present) – Co-founder, lifelong friend of Chester, and the driving force behind the band's modern resurgence and tribute albums. He remains the only constant member since the band's inception.
• Mace Beyers (Bass): (1995–2001, 2017, 2019–present) – A longtime member who rejoined the band to record the new instrumentals for Amends and The Phoenix, solidifying the core trio alongside Dowdell and Davis.
• Jonathan Krause (Bass): (1993–1995) – Original bassist.
• Steve Mitchell (Guitar): (1993–1994) – Original guitarist.
• Jason Barnes (Guitar): (1994–1995, 2017) – Guitarist who played on the debut album, Wake Me.
• Bobby Benish (Guitar): (1995–2001; Died 2004) – Guitarist who played on ...No Sun Today.

Modern Lineup and Collaborators (Post-2017)

• Sean Dowdell (Drums, Backing Vocals): (1993–present) – See above.
• Mace Beyers (Bass): (1995–present) – See above.
• Cristin Davis (Guitar): (2017–present) – Recruited in 2017, Davis became the new lead guitarist, playing a vital role in re-recording the music for Amends and The Phoenix.
• Cris Hodges (Lead Vocals): (2023–present) – The band's new, official lead vocalist, taking over the demanding role in 2023 to lead Grey Daze into their next chapter. His introduction marks a significant shift, with new music featuring his voice expected in 2026.

The Emotional Rebirth: Amends and The Phoenix Albums

Following Chester Bennington's tragic passing in 2017, the surviving members—Sean Dowdell, Mace Beyers, and Cristin Davis—embarked on a monumental project to honor their friend and bandmate. This effort resulted in two critically acclaimed albums, Amends (2020) and The Phoenix (2022).

The core concept of these albums was to take Chester’s original vocal tracks from the 1990s and re-record the accompanying music with a modern, high-production sound. This process allowed fans to hear Chester’s powerful, youthful voice in a new context, bridging the gap between his early career and his global success with Linkin Park. The dedication of the surviving members ensured that these songs, which were written when Chester was just 18 years old, finally received the professional treatment they deserved.

The recording process for these projects was deeply collaborative, featuring a number of high-profile guest musicians and family members, which significantly expanded the "members of Grey Daze" circle for these recordings. This inclusion of outside talent helped to give the albums a rich, textured sound while emphasizing the communal nature of the tribute.

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Key Collaborators on Posthumous Albums

• Richard Patrick (Filter): Contributed vocals to the track "B12" on The Phoenix.
• Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers): Provided guitar work on "Believe Me" for The Phoenix.
• Lily and Lila Bennington: Chester's daughters provided backing vocals on "Hole" for The Phoenix, a deeply personal and moving contribution.
• Talinda Bennington (Chester's Widow): Played a crucial role in supporting and guiding the project's emotional and creative direction.

The New Chapter: Grey Daze with Cris Hodges and the Road to 2026

With the release of The Phoenix, the band completed their mission to honor Chester Bennington's legacy through his own voice. However, the creative momentum and the bond between the surviving members—Dowdell, Beyers, and Davis—led to a desire to continue making music. This decision necessitated finding a new lead vocalist, a role that is arguably one of the most challenging in modern rock.

In 2023, Grey Daze announced the recruitment of Cris Hodges as their new frontman. Hodges, a powerful vocalist in his own right, has stepped into the role with the full support of the band and Chester’s family. His arrival signals a "powerful new chapter" for the band, allowing them to move beyond the archival material and begin creating genuinely new music.

The first taste of this new era arrived with the single "Shadows," released in late 2025. This soul-searching track is the first to feature Hodges' vocals and sets the stage for a highly anticipated new full-length album expected to drop in 2026. This forthcoming album will be the first entirely new studio material from Grey Daze in decades, and the first without Chester’s voice since the 90s. The band is also actively touring, with a UK headline run in March 2026, showcasing their commitment to a long-term future.

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The current lineup—Sean Dowdell, Mace Beyers, Cristin Davis, and Cris Hodges—is not merely a tribute act; they are an active, evolving band. Their new music is designed to "honor their legacy while driving them forward into the future," ensuring that the spirit of Grey Daze, which Chester Bennington helped create, continues to resonate with fans both old and new. The transition is a testament to the band’s resilience and their deep-seated commitment to the music they created together, proving that the band's history is a foundation, not a limitation.

Topical Authority and Entity List

To fully understand the world of Grey Daze and its members, one must consider the key entities and concepts that define their history and sound:

• Musical Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Grunge, Grunge.
• Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona.
• Affiliated Bands: Linkin Park, Dead by Sunrise, Filter, Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• Key Albums: Wake Me (1994), ...No Sun Today (1997), Amends (2020), The Phoenix (2022).
• Key Songs: "Sickness," "What's in the Eye," "Soul Song," "B12," "Shadows."
• Key Figures: Chester Bennington, Sean Dowdell, Mace Beyers, Cristin Davis, Cris Hodges, Talinda Bennington.
• Producers/Engineers: Chris Puram, Billy Howerdel (A Perfect Circle), Esjay Jones.
• Record Labels: Loma Vista Recordings, Concord Records.
• Collaborators: Dave Navarro, Richard Patrick, Lily Bennington, Lila Bennington.