Hellyeah

It is one of those responses usually expressed with enthusiasm and often after a couple of cold ones. You’ve probably said it yourself or certainly heard others say it. Think about it. If someone asks you if you would like to go to Streeters’ Ground Zero Nightclub on February 9 to hear a kick-ass heavy metal band, what is your response going to be? Yes? I don’t think so -- how about HELLYEAH.
Okay, if Yes were playing at Streeters, I would be first in line to check out that great progressive rock band of the late ‘60s. In fact look for Yes to tour, starting mid-summer (hopefully a Northern Michigan stop) as the band celebrates their 40th anniversary this year. The Yes tour will get off to a late start because of Steve Howe’s touring commitment to the super group Asia that he formed with Carl Palmer (Emerson Lake & Palmer), Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Yes), and John Wetton (Uriah Heap, King Crimson) in 1981. Remember, were Asia was billed as rock and roll’s first super group. Sure, there others before them and since -- Blind Faith and the Traveling Wilburys come to mind.
Now that super group moniker has not fared well for most. That is why members of HELLYEAH don’t consider themselves a “super group.” In fact vocalist Chad Gray (Mudvayne), guitarist Tom Maxwell (Nothingface), guitarist Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne), bassist Bob Zilla (Damageplan) and legendary drummer Vinnie Paul (Pantera and Damageplan) don’t consider themselves a heavy metal super group at all.
“We are a group with super guys in it,” said Chad Gray. “We didn’t form with the idea of creating some sort of super group, and this wasn’t some sort of get-rich-quick scheme either. We put this band together for one simple reason: to make great rock and roll for people to party to.”

MAGICAL SUCCESS
HELLYEAH formed last year, though the idea had been stewing in Gray’s mind since 2001. Scheduling conflicts kept putting things on hold. While Gray doesn’t view the band as “super,” he likens their early success as magical.
“Magical is really the best way to describe what has happened so far,” said Gray. “There is no question that HELLYEAH has become successful a lot quicker than any of the bands we came from did. The fact that we were literally able to write and record an album in 30 days that sold a ton of CDs the first month is quite an accomplishment.”
Part of that magic included recruiting Vinnie Paul. As a founding member of ‘80s glam-metal legends Pantera, Paul and his guitar-playing brother Dimebag Darrell founded Damageplan in 2003 after Pantera broke up. On
December 8, 2004 (the same day that John Lennon was shot and that Jim Morrison was born) a crazed Pantera fan took the stage at a Damageplan concert and killed Dimebag Darrell and three others in attendance. It appeared that Vinnie Paul’s band and live performance days were over. He had just launched his own label, and after being asked a dozen times, he finally agreed to join HELLYEAH.
“He brings talent, history and a knowledge that has made a difference,” said Gray. “I also think we (the band) have been therapeutic for him. As tough as it is, those of us still here have to move on. Not forget, but we have to carry on. Vinnie has done a remarkable job, considering he watched his brother being shot and killed. We also performed on December 8 this past year-another emotional moment.”
Another emotional moment was when the group entered Chasin Jason last winter, Dimebag Darrell’s recording studio. The studio had sat vacant since the guitarist was murdered.
“It was both emotional and magical at the same time,” said Gray. “We could feel Darrell’s hand in the recording. His presence was definitely there the whole time.”

HOT ALBUM
Released last April, the band’s self-titled debut sold 45,000 copies the first week, vaulting it to number nine on the Billboard Top 200 album charts. A blend of power chord-driven metal tunes, a couple of ballads and at times a southern rock sound, HELLYEAH was in quick demand for the summer metal tour circuit, and teamed up with Korn on the Family Values Tour.
Almost a year later the CD continues to sell with its hits “You Wouldn’t Know,” “Alcohaulin’ Ass,” and “Thank You”, moving the band to headliner status. When they come to Traverse City, it will be in the middle of their “More Balls, More Volume, More Stength Tour” in support of their CD and their “Below The Belt” DVD released in November.
According to Gray, HELLYEAH was never intended to be a side project nor an end all for its members’ other projects. He and Greg Tribbett are still members of Mudvayne; the band will be releasing a new CD later this year and will tour in support of it.
“Yes, Mudvayne is still together,” said Gray. “My head is spinning, trying to juggle it all. But when the HELLYEAH tour ends, Mudvayne will hit the road. Look, if you are going to release a CD, you have to tour -- that is when it sells the best. You have to keep your name out there. That is the way the business works.”
As for the next CD from HELLYEAH, Gray says he’s sure there will be one.
“It really has to be one thing at a time. First I have to go out with Mudvayne for a while,” said Gray. “I am sure when that is over we will write another HELLYEAH album. I don’t know how many more albums I have in me, whether they are from Mudvayne or HELLYEAH. I guess until I quit thinking, there will be more albums.”

ABOUT THAT NAME...
So, as for the name of the band?
“It was funny because Vinnie said it took them months to come up with Pantera and at least six months to come up with Damageplan. As we all started talking about names, we realized that it was a hard process. So we had this box, and as someone thought of a possibility, we wrote it on the box,” said Gray.
“No one knows for sure -- it might have been me. I don’t know because we were all pretty drunk, and the next day we came in and looked at the box, and there it was: HELLYEAH. We looked at each other and knew that was the name. Now, other bands have said to me, ‘Why didn’t we think of it?’ It is amazing that something as simple as hell yeah, something we all have said a zillion times wouldn’t have been thought of before as a band name.”
Gray and the rest of his “super” guys will take the stage, Saturday, February 9 at Streeters Ground Zero Nightclub. HELLYEAH has been selling out everywhere they go, so consider advanced tickets. Chad Gray said their formula is simple. “We write drinking songs, we are a party band, period.” As for performing tunes from members’ “family bands”, the answer is, “No way, this is a HELLYEAH concert.” For a musical taste check out myspace.com/hellyeah. For additional concert details visit streetersonline.com or call the box office at 231.932.1300. View On Our Website