Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com “You left me here like a chalk outline” – the chorus to the first single off of Three Days Grace latest disc ‘Transit of Venus’ rang out almost prophetic in nature as the band took the stage to ravage a rock-hungry New England crowd on a freezing February evening in Lowell, Mass., on Wednesday (Feb. 20). Shortly before the co-headlining tour with Shinedown kicked off, former Three Days Grace frontman Adam Gontier unceremoniously up and left the band without much notice, leaving them in a bit of a bind. Luckily, the music genes seem run deep in bassist Brad Walst’s family and he was able to recruit his brother, My Darkest Days frontman Matt Walst, to fill in on the trek. While this left Matt with some large shoes to fill and certainly sky high expectations, he seems to have settled into the role as the (temporary?) Three Days Grace vocalist with ease. The band erupted onto the stage looking as if they just crawled out of the wreckage of a post-apocalyptic showdown. With guns blazing in the form of behemoth beams of pyro, the band certainly showed no signs of only having recruited their singer a month ago, they played like a well-oiled machine. With one of the best bass faces in the business, Brad Walst performs alongside guitarist Barry Stock and drummer Neil Sanderson as seasoned vets on the stage. And while Matt Walst may be seeing some of the largest crowds he’s seen throughout his young career, you’d never know it. It’s hard to deny that many bands are defined by their lead singer and vocalwise, Walst’s voice has a lower register and overall sounds a lot cleaner than Gontier’s. There’s a lot less grit and grime and a bit more clarity fueled by his tenacity to deliver the songs in a manner where they still sound familiar. Of course, Gontier’s gritty vocals complement the often angst-ridded lyrics of Three Days Grace songs, but judging by the reaction of the crowd, Matt Walst was accepted with open arms. While the future of Three Days Grace seems a bit unclear at the moment, the band has truly embraced the rebellious spirit of rock and punched it into high gear to move forward wherever their path may take them. Shinedown were up next, starting off their set with a bit of a surprise. Drummer Barry Kerch walked onto stage solo and took his place behind the kit. As the music for their song ‘Enemies’ engulfed the arena, fans were searching to see where it was coming from. They only had to look back to the mixing board to see a separate smaller stage where vocalist Brent Smith, guitarist Zach Myers and bassist Eric Bass were getting the night started, rocking their hearts out. Halfway through the song, the three darted through the crowd and back to the main stage for a proper introduction to the near capacity venue. With something that has become part of a ritual at any Shinedown show, Smith encouraged fans to say hello to the people around them, engage a bit, and just have a good time throughout the night. It’s this all for one and one for all vibe that provides a lot of the backbone to their latest disc ‘Amaryllis’ and fuels such a solid connection between the band and their fans. Decked out head to toe in formal attire and looking like they’re possibly in the best shape of their lives, the sharp-dressed men of Shinedown didn’t let formality cloud their vision of getting down and dirty and delivering the best rock show in town. With a set that showcased their latest disc while still offering up some of the biggest hits of their career throughout, fans soaked up a retrospective of Shinedown’s full discography spanning from 2003’s ‘Leave a Whisper’ to their latest single ‘I’ll Follow You.” One thing Shinedown has mastered is seamlessly in a live environment is transitioning from uptempo rockers to more heartfelt ballads without losing energy along the way. This is something that has clearly come from years of experience. There’s a lot of fun going on up there too. Between Smith striking rockstar worthy poses centerstage, Myers and Bass swapping sides of the stage to say hi to the fans sitting on the sides, and Kerch’s hair flying to the beat of his own drum, the guys in Shinedown obviously love what they do, and that kind of infectious energy is the permeating kind. Although it seemed that their time onstage felt a bit short — Shinedown fans would probably feel that way if the set spanned three hours – the band delivered a jam-packed set that featured a slew of familiar chart-topping hits. Boom! P.O.D. got the night started with a short set that featured hit tunes like ‘Alive’ and ‘Youth of a Nation.’ Before their time was over, frontman Sonny Sandoval jumped off the stage and right into the fray to visit the fans in the front row and sing a song with them. After their hiatus, it’s great to see P.O.D. back in their element. It’s obvious that’s where they are at their best, so get there early to check them out! The Shinedown, Three Days Grace, P.O.D. tour continues through the end of March, check out all the remaining dates here . Photos of Shinedown, Three Days Grace + P.O.D. in Lowell, Mass.: Shinedown: Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Three Days Grace: Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com P.O.D.: Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com
Posts Tagged ‘three-days’
Shinedown, Three Days Grace + P.O.D. Devour Massachusetts With Rock Assault
Former Three Days Grace Frontman Adam Gontier Working on Solo Album, Wishes Band ‘All The Best’
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com After what could be described as a tumultuous split with his former band Three Days Grace , Adam Gontier made his first solo debut since leaving the band at the ‘Rock For Recovery’ benefit show at the Gramercy Theater in New York City on Jan. 17. When Artisan News asked the singer about his departure from Three Days Grace and how he felt, Gontier had nothing but positive things to say. “I feel great about it; this is a new chapter of my life,” he said in the video interview (watch below). “Three Days Grace for me ran its toll. We were a band for 20 years and things don’t last forever. You have to move on and do what’s right for you and for own well-being. For me it was just the end of the road.” He didn’t leave it at that though; he took some time to wish the band well without him. “I wish the guys all the best,” Gontier said. “I wish them all the best and no hard feelings but for me it was time to move on and into a new chapter of my life.” These statements come in contrast to recent remarks by Gontier, in which he criticized the creative direction of Three Days Grace. As we reported recently, Gontier said, “The music really wasn’t coming from the heart. I can say that on the record ‘Transit of Venus,’ there’s maybe one or two songs that actually do come from my heart … Quite a bit of it just adds up to the fakeness of the whole industry and how you’re writing hits for other people.” That new chapter of Gontier’s life includes an upcoming solo album that is already in the works. Gontier shared that he’s already written many new songs for the disc that should be out some time in 2013. “It’s a matter of basically tweaking songs that have already been written and recording them, getting them done,” Gontier explained. “I would think within a few months I should have something done.” As Gontier continues to pursue his solo career, Three Days Grace are gearing up for their co-headlining tour with Shinedown. With Gontier gone from the band, Three Days Grace have recruited singer Matt Walst to sing on the tour, who coincidentally just happens to be the brother of bassist Brad Walst. The tour kicks off in February. Watch Adam Gontier Talk About His Solo Career and Split From Three Days Grace [button href=”http://loudwire.com/adam-gontier-criticizes-direction-three-days-grace-promises-release-health-records/” title=”Next: Adam Gontier Criticizes Musical Direction of Three Days Grace + More” align=”center”]
Three Days Grace Singer Swap – Readers Poll
Facebook: Three Days Grace Three Days Grace definitely shocked fans Wednesday (Jan. 9) with the news that they were replacing frontman Adam Gontier with My Darkest Days ‘ Matt Walst after Gontier resigned from the band due to a “non life threatening health issue.” In his own letter to fans, Gontier stated, “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,” suggesting that his decision was more about starting a new chapter than a health concern. Gontier has been not only the voice of the band, but arguably the group’s most recognizable face, as well. Given that the group had already committed to a co-headlining run with Shinedown this spring, it’s understandable that they would want to honor that commitment, but the question remains of whether or not it was the right decision. Our Readers Poll today asks whether or not you think Three Days Grace should continue without Gontier still part of the band. There are several schools of thought on this. One is that the band members have every right to want to continue to play their music and given Gontier’s sudden departure, to stop now would not offer themselves or the fans any sense of closure. Plus, at present, the group has only listed Walst’s participation as “temporary,” meaning a decision on whether or not to continue beyond their current tour is not a definite and these dates could either be their farewell or a springboard to a fresh start. However, It could also be argued that Gontier’s voice is indelibly tied to the band and by playing (or even potentially recording) without him, they risk altering how fans view their legacy. Then there’s the idea that maybe it’s too early to render a judgment as to whether this was the right decision to continue playing or not until Walst is given a chance to play for audiences and fans can have some time to sit with it. So what is your take on the Three Days Grace singer situation? Let us know your position by voting in the Readers Poll below: Sorry, you need to have javascript running to see this poll. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/new-anthrax-guitarist-readers-poll/” title=”Previous Readers Poll: New Anthrax Guitarist” align=”center”]
Singer Adam Gontier Leaves Three Days Grace, Replaced by My Darkest Days’ Matt Walst
Ethan Miller, Getty Images / Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Shocker alert! Frontman Adam Gontier has resigned from Three Days Grace just weeks prior to their upcoming co-headlining tour with Shinedown. The band has replaced Gontier with My Darkest Days singer Matt Walst for the trek. A brief posting at the band’s website reveals that Gontier has left the group effective immediately citing a health issue for his exit. The band’s bassist, Brad Walst, stated in a press release, “We were surprised and distressed by Adam’s sudden departure. We are however very excited for this upcoming tour and to have my brother Matt stepping in as lead singer.” Three Days Grace, with Matt Walst on vocals, are still on schedule to kick off their co-headlining tour with Shinedown on Feb. 1 in Moline, Ill. At present, the tour runs through March 30 in Fargo, N.D. No further info was given as to the health issue that led to Gontier’s exit. The news comes as a major surprise, as Three Days Grace are one of rock radio’s most successful bands over the past decade, and recently scored a chart-topping single with ‘Chalk Outline’ off their latest album ‘Transit of Venus.’ They’re currently heating up radio again with their new single ‘The High Road.’ The move also puts My Darkest Days ‘ future in a different perspective. The band revealed just last week that guitarist Sal Costa had left the group , but that they were beginning work on their next studio album. With Matt Walst jumping over to Three Days Grace in Gontier’s absence, it is not known how that will affect My Darkest Days. Three Days Grace have also posted audio of Matt Walst performing with the group to give an idea of what the singer switch will sound like. Listen below: Listen to Matt Walst Performing With Three Days Grace [button href=”http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-chalk-outline-in-the-studio-exclusive-video-premiere/” title=”Next: Watch Three Days Grace Perform ‘Chalk Outline’ in the Studio” align=”center”]
Top 20 Songs: Week of December 9-15, 2012
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire In this week’s edition of Loudwire’s Top 20 Countdown, Soundgarden continue to hold the top spot with their single ‘Been Away Too Long’ from their first record in 16 years titled ‘King Animal.’ Shinedown and their latest single ‘Enemies’ remain in the No. 2 spot this week. Avenged Sevenfold come in at No. 3 with their track ‘Carry On,’ while Slash ’s new single ‘Standing in the Sun’ featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators settles in at No. 4 this week. In This Moment and their new album’s title track ‘Blood’ round out the top five. Other songs of note on the list include Stone Sour ‘s tune ‘Absolute Zero,’ as well as Volbeat ’s latest single ‘Heaven Nor Hell’ and Three Days Grace ’Chalk Outline.’ P.O.D. make their return to the Top 20 list this week with their track ‘Higher’ off of their latest release ‘Murdered Love.’ Check out the Top 20 songs below and be sure to tune in to Loudwire Radio this weekend to blast these tracks at full volume. Loudwire Radio Top 20 Songs of the Week: 20. P.O.D., ‘Higher’ 19. Kid Rock, ‘Let’s Ride’ 18. Adelitas Way, ‘Alive’ 17. Nonpoint, ‘Left for You’ 16. Young Guns, ‘Bones’ 15. Green Day, ‘Let Yourself Go’ 14. 3 Doors Down, ‘One Light’ 13. Linkin Park ‘Lost in the Echo’ 12. Deftones, ‘Tempest’ 11. All That Remains, ‘Stand Up’ 10. Five Finger Death Punch, ‘The Pride’ 9. Chevelle, ‘Same Old Trip’ 8. Three Days Grace, ‘Chalk Outline’ 7. Volbeat ‘Heaven Nor Hell’ 6. Stone Sour, ‘Absolute Zero’ 5. In This Moment, ‘Blood’ 4. Slash, ‘Standing in the Sun’ 3. Avenged Sevenfold, ‘Carry On’ 2. Shinedown, ‘Enemies’ 1. Soundgarden, ‘Been Away Too Long’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/loudwire-radio-station-list/” title=”See Which Stations Air Loudwire Radio” align=”center”]