Recently, Art of Dying lent their song All I want Is Everything to a mini documentary by/about three homeless young folk, in collaboration with San Diego based Outreach; Urban Street Angels.
Music can always tell a story. This song shares a very poignant message.
Homelessness youth are at great risk.
Watch the film, and if you can, help….
Even if that just means sharing the message.
Thanks
Picture by Melissa Mercier
Artists often have more than one string to their bow. Ronnie Wood is an exceptional painter. Leonardo Di Caprio is an Activist. Jeff Ament is not a novice skateboarder.
Well, it just so happens that Art of Dying founder, writer, musician and vocalist Jonny Hetherington, is also a culinary maestro.
Hetherington, for the past year or so; when he has not been on the road, has been developing a line of hot sauce, and with plans to ship this product the world over, a Kickstarter campaign has commenced. Full details are right HERE!
Presentation is clean and simple, and was designed and photographed by Canadian photographer Melissa Mercier, who is based in Vancouver.
Those of you that follow Hetherington or his band Art of Dying, will already be aware of his love for cooking, presenting and eating. Here is your chance to become a part of that experience. Eat it up!
KG Headbangerwoman Oct 22 2015
Counts Vamp’d bar in Las Vegas, Nevada is not a large venue. But you would have expected a slightly larger audience for local band Systemec, and Canada’s Art of Dying on July 3, running into the wee hours of July 4.
It became quickly apparent that a large number of audience members were not a requirement, as Systemec played to an apparent crowd of 50,000. A small home collective of support was all that singer Paul Anthony and co needed, as he bellowed out the grittiest, gnarliest, pure and pitch perfect vocal that many of those in attendance will have ever heard. This dude is spot on. He believes in what he is doing 150% and he leaves the audience feeling the same. His look is slightly unusual and it works well with what he is portraying.
Photo courtesey of Systemec on Facebook
Anthony has great musical back up, but as a collective they could do a little work on themselves and not split their image or what they stand for. The look and attitude of other band members were slightly random, and having Jerry Sienfeld the logger play guitar for a serious rock vocalist, kinda throws the show sideways. Even if he is a shit hot guitarist.
Bassist Chukd makes it look like a walk in the park, but a little more aggression would go a long way.
A bigger stage would be a great thing for a guy like Anthony, he needs space. His persona and vocals are so big.
Give these guys a listen if you like Disturbed, Rammstein or heavier Rage Against The Machine. In fact give them a listen period. They are worth it. You will be hooked.
Find out more at www.systemec.us
New… Hair
New… Pants
New…Line up
New… Songs
Art of Dying are not new…. and with the loss of guitarist Greg Bradley from their line up earlier this year, regular Diehards may be wondering how the band would fare in a live situation….. Well it would appear that they are doing great. A little change of appereance is mainly apparent with the loss of Jonny Hetheringtons long dark curls, in trade for a blonde mohawk.
New line up
Live, Art of Dying still produce one hell of a beautiful noise. If you are a fan from way back when you will notice a little loss of depth and would perhaps like to see the addition of a second guitarist. However, it’s not a requirement. Tavis Stanley can hold his own, and with the support of bassist Cale Gontier and drummer Jeff Brown, there is no issue.
An abundance of new music was played at this venue. It has a harder, edgier feel than previous offerings, and Hetheringtons live vocal is still one to be reckoned with. Of course a few older songs were played, and the vibe, along with the message never gets old.
Again, the stage at Vamp’d was a little small for Hetheringtons large live persona, and a bigger audience would have suited better, but those in attendance were not disappointed. It was great to hear unreleased songs live, and it was the only way to celebrate July 1 and 4, depending on where you were from…… Ubuntu.
Karen G Headbangerwoman July 2015
Rise Up official video feat; Dan Donegan
Here it is! The first single from the upcoming record by Art of Dying.
You have to give these guys 10/10 just for filming in sub zero temperatures, during a Toronto winter.
If this track is anything to go by, then the rest of the record will be hard, fast, ballsy, gritty and totally fucking superb. An extra 10/10!
Nicely done
KG Headbangerwoman 5/March/15
He told fans on Facebook that “it is time to move on” and that he has “fond memories.”
It should have not been a surprise, as recent photographs of the band filming in Toronto, Canada, and those taken while recording of the upcoming release was taking place in the US, featured only Jonny; vocals/guitar, Cale; bass, Tavis; guitar and Jeffy; drums.
AOD signed with a branch of Eleven Seven in 2014.
In return for his open and honest announcement, AOD publically wished Bradley all the best.
Headbangerwoman echos that sentiment. All the best G Reg!
KG FEB 2015
Bringing you new music, and on a new label!
Art of Dying announced today that they have finished recording a new record, and that they will be bringing it to the masses on Nikki Sixxs Eleven Seven label!
Art of Dying have spent much of this year south of the border (they are a Canadian band), recording, and playing live shows, with the likes of Lacuna Coil and Five Finger Death Punch.
A date has yet to be announced for the records release……
KG 29/09/2014
It is a bitterly cold minus forty Celsius, snowy day in Edmonton, Alberta, but Headbangerwoman is having a warm and friendly chat with Greg Bradley, Guitarist and founding member of Vancouver based rock outfit Art of Dying. Lead Vocalist Jonny Hetherington will be joining us at a later date to give a deeper insight into the band.
Bradley is quick to point out that it is also snowing in Vancouver. Headbangerwoman is quick to bring him back to reality by suggesting it is probably plus six Celsius in Vancouver.
He concedes with a laugh…
Art of Dying formed in 2004.
Singer, Jonny Hetherington was singing on the streets of Vancouver. Bradley, taking a stroll with friends, heard Hetherington’s (louder than a regular person) voice and followed the sound. What he found was the six foot something Hetherington, singing for his supper. The two, who incidentally both hail from Alberta, Canada, have been together since that first meeting and are also partners in their own Record label Thorny Bleeder Records. Thorny Bleeder is the label that the first Art of Dying record, Art of Dying was represented by, also based in Vancouver. Brian Thompson, a very well known (and highly commended) voice in the Canadian music industry is also a partner.
The current Art of Dying line up (since 2008) consists of Jonny Hetherington: Lead Vocals and shirtless Dude, Greg Bradley: Guitar and Non-fiery Redhead, Tavis Stanley: Guitar and sleeping in, Cale Gontier: Bass and all around good looking bloke and Jeff Brown: Drums and Shotgun!
Art of Dying are very well known in North America for touring with Disturbed, and are signed to the Reprise Intoxication (Warner) recording label of Dan Donegan and David Draiman (members of the aforementioned, but currently on hiatus, loud and bloody good at what they do, band).
The band name comes from the longer statement “The Art of Dying is my life to live.”
This basically explained means that we are all dying and we should make the most of life on that journey to death.
This band is doing just that!
Currently on a break from an almost full year of touring, when asked about the transition from touring on a mobile man cave to the static living of house dwelling, Bradley described the road and home as “completely different entities altogether. The road is a bizarre reality. You sleep in a bunk every night and you are in close quarters with ten or so other guys. At home you have space, you get to sleep in your own bed and focus on totally different demands. I wouldn’t say I prefer either. I love being out on the road and playing shows, but I love coming home and spending time with my family. At home you are not playing shows. There are pros and cons to everything you do.”
The reason for the almost full year of ‘Bus life’, was the release of the CD Vices and Virtues on March 22 2011.
Previous to 2011, the band members would use and drive themselves, in an RV whenever they were on the road. While they toured with (take a deep breath for this gob full) “The Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival”, a large shiny bus was provided!
Neither is Jack Daniels, \nd the question had to be asked about a recently viewed YouTube video, where Whiskey is being poured into the hands of the singer and then massaged into his hair!
Bradley laughed, as he explained “that was Cale (he is referring to the band’s Bassist, formerly with Canadian outfit Thornley) pouring Jack Daniels into the hands of Jonny. He does it every night, it’s his pre-show ritual”
Is this was possibly a waste of good alcohol?. “That and I don’t think I could stand up smelling JD in my hair every night. It works for him though,” he states with a chuckle. Again referring to Hetherington!
After spending a large period of time in Los Angeles and Chicago writing and recording at the tail end of 2010 and beginning of 2011, the Howard Benson produced record, Vices and Virtues was finally released to the Die Hards (as the Art of Dying fans have become affectionately known) and the work to promote began.
This is the second CD for the band, but the first on the Reprise Intoxication/Warner label.
Why have the songs Completely and I Will Be There been lyrically changed for production on Vices and Virtues? Both songs were also on the self- titled record.
“Some changes, though very minor, were needed on Vices and Virtues.” Bradley explained. “We were signed on the strength of these songs, the label really liked them, but at production if we thought changes were needed, we made those changes to improve songs for the record”
Vices and Virtues definately shows a grittier, heavier Art of Dying as a result of this.
In addition to the CD release, the song Get Thru This, penned by Hetherington in the Futon store in Vancouver where he worked, the day he found out his Father was sick with Cancer, was used by the WWE and also became part of the sound track on the Movie Transformers 3, Dark of the Moon.
Bradley explained “That is really good exposure for us. Facebook is kind of crazy for that too.” Art of Dying are currently close to 50,000 followers on the social network! “Our label and publishing company have pitched several more songs from the CD and there is current discussion over that, but I am not sure yet what shows and events they will be used on.”
Perhaps a move to the US was imminent? “We have talked about it” answered Bradley, “but we are all Canadian and we love Canada. Me, Jeff and Jonny all live in Vancouver and we spend so much time in the US on tour it is nice to come home to Canada”. He didn’t rule out a property purchase “somewhere in central US” in the future, but “retaining a home in Canada too.”
Bradley is the only member of the band that doesn’t sign his actual name when Autographing for Die Hards
He explained the reason for this. “When I started doing the autograph thing it just developed. Signing just my name didn’t represent the band, I wanted something more defined. I wanted to tie my name in with the band.”
To top his unique autographing style, he is the only red-haired member on the band. You have to wonder, does this make him more temperamental and fiery? “It’s the old cliche, ‘fiery redhead’, no, not really”, is the answer. “I’m actually the mellow one, the others are out of control.” he replied, with a hearty laugh, “I try to stay in control… I do have my moments!”
Bradley explained why the song Vices and Virtues didn’t make the cut onto the CD of the same name…
“Songs are being wood shedded for the next record, but it is unlikely that we will even start work on that before the end of this year. Vices and Virtues may or may not make it on to the next record, depending on the repertoire of material we have ready at that time. Most of 2012 will be spent supporting Vices and Virtues.”
Bradley also explained that discussions were not even happening at this point, when asked about further collaboration ideas for the next record. Adam Gontier, singer for Three Days Grace and incidental Cousin of Bass player Cale, was featured as a guest singer on the song Raining from the CD Vices and Virtues.
It is time for Headbangerwomans chitter chatter with Bradley to end, but before he goes off to pack his case for his next bus adventure with nine other fellas, we need to know what his Vices were. He laughed as he said “I’ve been trying to cut down my Vices all my life. Let’s just say my vices start with the bottle, I go too far in the moment and usually end up paying for it!”
Greg Bradley was courteous, friendly and well mannered during this interview, he didn’t go too far, no booze was harmed in the making of this article, but we still won’t be buying him a beer, just a precaution!
Die Trying was voted Tunelab Single of the year 2011
Die Trying was voted #16 for 2011 by Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue/ Sixx AM) on Sixx Sense
Art of Dying are currently on tour in the USA (April 10 2012)
by Karen Graham aka Headbangerwoman 17th Jan 2012
