Three Days Grace nominated for ROCK ARTIST OF THE YEAR by iHeart Radio
Three Days Grace
All posts tagged Three Days Grace
John Corabi… Sammy Hagar…
Matt Walst!
At the height of their success these guys grabbed the reins of Motley Crue, Van Halen, and Three Days Grace, bringing us new memories, new meaning, and new music.
In the case of the latter, Walst is still up on stage alongside brother Brad, bringing it hard at every live performance.
Newer songs mixed with stayed favourites.
A little light banter mixed with an excellent acoustic interlude.
The last time Headbangerwoman saw Three Days Grace the crowd were bouncing off the walls at Rexall Place, Edmonton.
This show on December 12th 2018 at Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton was a touch smaller as were some in that crowd, (a good amount of kids present) and a little less rambunctious, but the crowd were rocking the bleachers and in full support of the headliners none the less.
A young lady on the floor was spotted signing songs to her Dad.
A member of the police presence during the last 20 minutes heard to say “this was the only good song they had”…The fans quite clearly in disagreement!
A quick Shout out to Pam Kirby of 100.3 The Bear…
Also in support of this Canadian staple of rock was Texan band Nothing More. These guys are not the boys next door, rather; Rage Against the Machine meets Jim Morrison, takes a good hit of crack and streaks repeatedly in from if the elderly neighbors house!
Producing an excellent mix of headbanging noise and attitude, and sounding great as live performers whilst doing so, this band was a pleasant surprise!
Arriving a tad late Headbangerwoman caught Bad Wolves mid-way through their third last song. A heady sound with a darker vibe, the crowd went crazy when they announced that their final song Zombie had just gone double platinum, and that all proceeds would be given to the children of late Cranberries vocalist Delores O’Riordan; who was found dead in a bathtub on January 15th 2018 due to accidental drowning on the eve of recording the song with this band.
Thanks were shouted out to General Manager Rose Slanic, who was in attendance.
Sombre. Moving.
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…
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
After a whole week of speculation, sadness and supposition, fans of Three Days Grace former singer, Adam Gontier now finally have an answer for his seemingly sudden departure.
Here is the formal resignation declaration to the public, in full;
To all of my fans, my friends, my family, these are my words coming from my heart, separate from my role as “lead singer of Three Days Grace”.
I want you all to know how very thankful I am for your consistent love, your respect, and you’re undying support. It is important for me to address any concerns regarding my health being connected to drugs or addiction. The truth is, when I was struggling during that dark time in my life, I hit rock bottom, and I had the kindest of people reach out from all over the world, and reach their hands out to help pick me up. I am so blessed to be walking in the light now. I am reminded of your loyalty, always. The truth is, and I’m very proud to say this…, I am sober. That chapter in my life is over.
There have been many defining moments in my life. My time as part of Three Days Grace is most definitely one of the miraculous ones. I have had so many tender hearted people share with me their stories. How I’ve touched, or changed their lives. My truth is that all of the love I have received has forever changed my life. Each letter I’ve read, every picture I’ve been sent, all of the voices I’ve heard sing along with me, I will forever remember, and never forget…
After twenty years of being part of an ever evolving band, I have been inspired by life, to move on and to continue to evolve on my own terms. I could not be more grateful for all the souls who have travelled along with me. A journey I look back on with integrity, and a future I look forward to with such hope. I have always admired brave hearts. Life is always changing. I will continue to follow my heart, and what I love to do. I’m not sure what the next horizon will look like, but I do have all the faith in the world that whatever it is, It’s meant to be, and I have faith that blessings will continue to shine over all of us. I once heard a “brave heart” say:
“When nothing is sure, everything is possible.”
It’s because of my life’s journey, because of all of you, that I believe.
Sincerely, with love,
Adam
While the remaining band were attempting to rearrange and bring themselves to some kind of order, it appears to have been forgotten that many listeners of Three Days Grace do just that, listen because of the formidable, in fact incredible vocal of Gontier. While the attemp to patch it together with Matt Walst, formerely with My Darkest Days is certainly honourable, it would appear that it is not what the majority of fans want.
Walst has a great vocal, but it is nowhere close in similarity to Gontier. The fans want Gontier and general concencus seems to be, that they will take a solo Gontier over a Three Days Grace with Walst.
What is shameful from both parties is that the upcoming tour with ShineDown was advertised, at least until Monday 14th Jan 2012 with pictures of Gontier at the helm. When fans had contacted Ticketmaster for a refund they were told that the band is still Three Days Grace and as such, even with a change of singer, that refunds are out of the question. Maybe that is something that should be questioned more deeply. For sure no-one would want to pay for Aerosmith tickets hoping to see Steven Tyler at the helm and getting David Coverdale, nor would a Lady Gaga fan pay to see Gaga and be happy when Madonna appeared. The fact of the matter is that this situation is not a good one. Could it be considered false advertising? Food for thought!
In the thick of this are Hurricane Sandy survivors, fans who paid good money to see a Gontier fronted band as a gift to themselves, an upper after the huge down that ripped so many lives apart and who are now left with tickets to see a band which in essence is no longer in existence.
Susan Soutar Giacalone is one such disappointed fan. She was given tickets by a friend after the hurricaine and cannot get a refund for them. She told TiTT; “My friends and I got tickets because we want to hear Adams beautiful voice. We are all extremely upset that we will not be receiving a refund of the money we really could have used, but chose to see them (Three Days Grace, fronted by Gontier) with instead. You see we were impacted in our own ways by Hurricane Sandy’s destruction here in NYC. This was our getaway.” Susan is fortunate, Gontier is playing acoustic shows close by, she will however have to pay out more money to see him. But others are not as fortunate and will get no second chances to see their favorite singer.
Together for twenty or so years, Three Days Grace have been a staple in Canadian, in fact North American music. Sad as it is that the rest of the band will be left behind to figure out the future, it seems that Gontier is as always positive and moving forward, oh and taking the fans with him!
Karen Graham January 17 2013
Suddenly without warning, Three Days Grace singer Adam Gontier has quit the band, due to health issues.
He will be replaced by Matt Walst, front man of My Darkest Days and younger brother of the bands bassist Brad Walst. This is the second announcement relating to My Darkest Days in two weeks. Guitarist Sal Coz Coasta announced his departure one day after he married, in the first week of January 2013.
Although Walst Jnr has a great live vocal, he is not nearly as emotional and nor does he have the depth of Gontier, who could make his audience shake a building with his showmanship and incredible voice. This could in all reality, be a very bad move for Three Days Grace, whose audience are used to much grittier and way heavier in the way of a voice.
Although rumours abound, no official statement has been given to the actual health reasoning behind Gontiers decision, but one thing is for sure, 2013 has not been great for Canadian Rock so far!
Playing a great show to a live audience, seemingly is easy for Three Days Grace. Making buildings shake and enticing the entire audience to do what you are willing them them comes naturally to Vocalist Adam Gontier.
Now the band have yet another cd full of songs that will bring a crowd to it’s feet, produce voices that are hoarse in the morning and buzzing in the ears for days.
Not a single song on Transit Of Venus will not produce the same effects as previous Three Days Grace music. There is a full set of loud, inspiring, rock n roll. A preview requires no second listen. This cd will have you hooked from the first song and will keep your attention firmly focused until the very last beat.
No one song can be picked out, all of equal quality, all sucking you in and holding your attention.
A must purchase for this Fall.