I can still remember back in 2004 when I saw a young upstart band, running on the success of their first single (I Hate) Everything About You opening for Nickelback, and a few months later Velvet Revolver at the Saddledome. By the time they left the stage I was thinking “these guys are going to be headlining their own show here someday.”
That statement has come true, as Three Days Grace is embarking on a 20 date cross-Canada tour that hits Edmonton’s Rexall Place November 26th, and the Saddledome in Calgary November 30th, including stops in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
“We are super excited, it has always been about the live show,” said guitarist Barry Stock, in an exclusive interview with GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. “A lot of our songs are written around how they would sound live. It is what we have the most passion for, is getting out there and playing. Back then we were thinking the same thing, it would be great to be headlining these places. For us it is really exciting.”
“We are true Canadians. We love our live show and we want as many Canadians to see us as we can. Playing all these places is important to us. If we can fit this show into the arena, we will be there.”
After touring smaller venues, the band is playing the large arenas, in part because their live show staging requires it. The band has long been known for the quality of their live performance and it is evident from speaking to Stock, just how much they love playing for the fans.
“This time around we put a little more into the show which is why we wanted to step into some bigger arenas, give people more bang for their buck and be able to enjoy Three Days Grace not only on a musical point but a visual. We have a great looking show, I don’t want to give away too much but there are some cool things and something for everybody in this show. It is bigger and more exciting than it was last time with some great visual effects and staging. People will be impressed with this show.”
One amusing trait that seems to be common with Canadian bands is how often they tour across Canada during the winter.
“It seems weird but we all do it. Americans especially ask why we would tour Canada in wintertime? Winter is the time when people feel locked up and want to get out and go see a show, and it makes it exciting to go out and have a great time. In the summer there is a lot to do in our great Canadian country, so in winter when they get out they are more revved up.”
The show will be a triple bill with Default and The Used. For the band, which started in the same manner, featuring other artists is an important way of giving back.
“We wanted to do exactly the chance we had, to be the first band on of three exciting bands, and it makes for a good show. We have Default, which is a great Canadian band, and The Used - I don’t know if many Canadians know about them but they should. We have been a big fan for a long time and never gotten to tour with them in the past. It is going to be a great package and people will have a good time at the show.”
Through extensive touring, playing festivals, and doing autograph sessions, the band has developed a rabid group of fans. They are one of the few Canadian bands of this generation that have graduated to arenas and had success in the USA.
“We stayed pretty true to what we are and sing about. We use our music as a tool to vent. It connects with the people it connects with. What we sing about is pretty straight up stuff that most people can relate to on many different levels. That is a lot of it, the connection with our fans. That has been the most important thing from the beginning when we were opening for other bands. We always thought it was important to get out and meet the fans. I don’t know otherwise how you would get the feedback. If people can only quickly meet you and only have a second or two to say what is important to them, we think that connection between us and our fans is important. A lot of time that is how we get that feedback from fans. We will keep doing that as much as we can.”
Stock was initially surprised to learn about the bands LGBT fans.
“I didn’t know that we had a gay fan base, that is pretty cool. For us, whoever we can reach out to and likes us is great. I don’t know what the stereotype of what gay people should or shouldn’t like. Music to me is the international music of mankind, you either like it or don’t like it.”
The band has gone through its share of ups and downs on the road to success. After their breakthrough self-titled album, lead singer Adam Gontier battled depression and addiction. That process was featured heavily on their second album One-X. The current album Life Starts Now is a logical continuation of the themes of the last album. The title track, in which Gontier sings “you’ve done all the things that could kill you somehow, and you’re so far down, but you will survive this somehow, because life starts now” is about moving on from the past, be addiction or otherwise, and re-starting your life.
“It is exactly that. This is a whole new place, we are out and we are referring to the past, dealing with the hand you’ve been dealt and moving on, while looking at it from a positive point of view. That is exactly what that song is about. This time around, a lot in the past was exactly that, personal issues and things going on with ourselves. This time around we are all different as people with families and kids involved. From then until now, a lot of things have happened, like dealing with sickness of family members. It woke us up to life being precious, and there is more out there that is important to us. It was a bit of an eye opener that way.”
With so much time spent on the road, the band has worked hard to center themselves and not return to bad habits.
“It comes back to our families. We are all family-minded people. When we are home we enjoy family life and that keeps us on track for not having the rock ‘n roll lifestyle. Our band is not [made of] partiers either we are pretty light. We try to take care of ourselves so we can keep touring because we love it so much. The best way to keep doing that is to stay healthy. “
From clubs and opening acts to headlining, it has been an incredible ride for Three Days Grace.
“We couldn’t have asked for more. When we started, all this it was the excitement of getting to play and we were just thrilled to be out. It is still like that, our schedule isn’t quite as hectic as it was, but we love to do it. The fans have been there since the beginning and are still growing. For us it is a privilege to be out playing… We will always be playing, but without the fans we wouldn’t be able to do that. We are certainly appreciative of that.”
