Heavy metal quartet Mudvayne originated in Peoria, IL, in 1996 with the members adopting unique pseudonyms like sPaG (M. McDonough) on drums, Gurrg (G. Tribbett) on guitar, and Kud (Chad Gray) as the vocalist. The band’s original bassist was later replaced by Ryknow (Ryan Martinie). Embracing a distinctive identity, the group began using eccentric makeup during their evolution. Following the independent release of their debut album, Kill, I Oughta, Mudvayne was signed by Epic Records and went on to record their major-label debut, L.D. 50, released in August 2000 after their inaugural national tour supporting Slipknot. The album achieved gold status and secured Mudvayne the inaugural MTV2 Video Award at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.
Continuing their musical journey, Mudvayne extensively toured and reissued their debut EP, Kill, I Oughta, in November 2001 under the title The Beginning of All Things to End. Subsequently, the band launched their official second album, The End of All Things to Come, produced by David Bottrill at Minneapolis’ Pachyderm Studios. Accompanied by new personas as space aliens, the band members adopted fresh aliases including Chüd (Kud), Güüg (Gurrg), R-üD (Ryknow), and Spüg (sPaG). Embarking on a European tour and later joining the Summer Sanitarium shed tour back in the U.S., Mudvayne shared the stage with notable acts like Metallica and Linkin Park. In 2005, the band unveiled Lost and Found, their third album with Epic Records. Mudvayne’s creative journey continued with the fan-driven compilation By the People, for the People in September 2007, and the release of the full-length album New Game in November 2008, followed by a self-titled effort in 2009.