After 16 long years of studio silence, Mudvayne have made their thunderous return with two brand new singles, “Hurt People Hurt People” and “Sticks And Stones”. But is there a full length album coming? Speaking on the Talk Toomey podcast with Joshua Toomey, Mudvayne drummer Matt McDonough opened up about the anxieties, gratitude, and surprises that have come with the band’s long-awaited comeback.
“Yeah, it’s like that always when you’re releasing new material,” McDonough admitted. “You can’t help but be concerned about the reception and how it’s gonna be perceived. You don’t wanna repeat yourself. You wanna push the envelope, at least the way we are. We enjoy exploring new space and trying new stuff, whatever, and sometimes that can backfire on you.
“And after the band was separated for quite a long time, coming back, we’re different people, we’re older. So all of those things add up to a different sound. You’re curious how it’s gonna be received. So far it’s been overwhelming and it’s really flattering. I mean, I’m still grateful for all of the attention we get.”
While some bands might attempt to recapture past glory, Mudvayne are looking forward — even if the world around them seems to be rediscovering their roots. With a full-blown nu-metal resurgence underway, thanks to both new blood and old giants like Deftones, System Of A Down, and Limp Bizkit storming back into the spotlight, McDonough sees the genre’s second wind as something surreal — and deeply satisfying.
“The strange renaissance of that time period, it’s almost like we’re the classic rock now,” he said. “Back in 2019, 2020, when we first started talking about a reunion, I was, like, ‘No one’s even gonna remember us. Who’s actually gonna come out?’ And the response for those first festivals, the Danny Wimmer[-produced events], the DWP festivals, was just absolutely surreal and overwhelming.
“And now it’s, like — I don’t think it’s an exaggeration — we see four generations of people. People in their early sixties, late fifties that were late ’90s fans, and then their grandkids. There was an 8-year-old right in front last night in San Antonio.”
If it sounds like a weird dream, it kind of is: “So, yeah, again, it’s just — I don’t know — timing, luck, what. But it seems to be happening for everybody. Obviously, Deftones have blown up. It’s crazy — they’re bigger than they’ve ever been. So I don’t know. Maybe the world just is ready to come to a nu-metal show, I guess.”
Mudvayne is currently out on the road celebrating their groundbreaking 2000 debut L.D. 50. Get those dates below and get your tickets here.
10/16 Durant, OK Choctaw Grand Theater
10/18 Nashville, TN Nashville Municipal Auditorium
10/19 Atlanta, GA Coca-Cola Roxy
10/21 Raleigh, NC The Red Hat Amphitheater
10/22 Virginia Beach, VA The Dome
10/24 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont Theater
10/25 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway
10/26 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
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