With domestic violence becoming a growing part of the national conversation, more celebrities of all stripes are coming forward to call for an end to abuse. Hard rock band Hellyeah (along with Nick Lachey and Ice-T) supported No More Week (March 8-14), a public awareness movement created to help stop sexual assault and domestic violence. Hellyeah stood in solidarity with victims by releasing its new single “Hush,” from its 2014 album Blood for Blood, on March 13, and urging fans to request that the song be played on the radio. Within three chart weeks the song has reached No. 26 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Songs chart.
“Hush” was released in conjunction with No More Week because Hellyeah singer Chad Gray wrote the song’s lyrics about the violence he experienced at home while he was growing up. The chorus contains the lyrics “Hell’s where I was born/Hell’s where I was raised/This hell is where I’m from/And this hell is where I’ll stay.” Gray says those words are “the essence of the song.” Watch the video below:
“There’s something very empowering about the realization and recognition of where you are in life, even in the darkest of times. It’s human nature to adapt and overcome, or at least find comfort on some level. Isolation is just that: uncomfortable,” he says. “But considering the alternative, isolation becomes a womb or safe place. I lived that existence, and music got me through those dark times. It saved my life.
“No matter how cold and lonely it felt, there was a voice speaking to me, and that voice was music,” continues Gray. “When I listened to music, I interpreted the artists’ message however I deemed it applicable to my life and surroundings, which is why I write lyrics that are open-ended. I want to build relationships with people, and in order to do that I have to be vulnerable and honest with them. Strong relationships are built with trust and honesty. No one will ever open up to you if you don’t confide something in them. I think the mantra of this song is no matter how alone you may feel, you’re not alone. But it’s up to you to speak out and expose your situation. If you let people know and let them in, you’re not alone.”
At 3 p.m. ET today (April 13) Hellyeah is launching an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for A Call to Men, an organization that’s affiliated with No More. A Call to Men is a violence-prevention initiative that aims to “shift societal norms that negatively impact our culture and promote a more healthy and respectful definition of manhood,” according to its website. The band has set an initial goal of $10,000 that it hopes to reach by offering such items as a limited-edition T-shirt.
“We at A Call to Men applaud the courage and clarity that Hellyeah demonstrates with their most recent groundbreaking and powerful video, ‘Hush,’ ” co-founder/co-director Ted Bunch said in a statement. “The message and the music highlight the prevalence of domestic violence in our communities and the generational impact that it has on children. The visual image of the group of men standing up and speaking out to raise awareness is inspiring and represents a new type of manhood that seeks to challenge men’s violence while also valuing women and girls. We say ‘hell yeah’ to Hellyeah!”
Hellyeah will continue supporting Blood for Blood when it resumes touring the United States on April 17 in Lubbock, Texas. Godsmack, Papa Roach and Three Days Grace will join on various dates. Hellyeah was also announced today as a main-stage performer on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, starting in June.