The famous rock band from Canada called Three Days Grace during its existence has won many awards, among them: the Yoon Prize, the best rock performer, the best video clips and others. The musical team includes:
- Barry James Stock (Barry James Stock, 04.24.1974) - guitarist and backing vocalist.
- Brad Walst (Brad Walst, 02.16.1977) - bass player, backing vocalist.
- Neil Sanderson (Neil Christopher Sanderson, 12/17/1978) - guitarist, backing vocalist.
- Matt Wollst (Mattew Jean Poul Walst, 12.28.1982) - vocalist, guitarist.
- Adam Wade Gontier (Adam Wade Gontier, 05/21/1978) is a former band member, songwriter, rhythm guitarist and vocalist.
One of the founders of the band was Neil Sanderson, a drummer. In an interview, he said: “I don’t know another feeling like this when you go on stage, sit down to the set, see several thousand people, count the rhythm and start playing. You feel joy, excitement, and adrenaline.”
Neil Sanderson Biography
As a child, the boy was much interested in music. From the age of four, he played the piano under the guidance of a strict teacher, and when he entered the elementary school, other instruments seized his attention. So, at 10, he began to master the drums.
Neal's father died when he was little. At that time, for unknown reasons, his sibling Daryl suffered the same fate. The mother of the young musician tried not to show her grief.
Studying in high school, the boy gets acquainted with his future partners. They were Adam Gontier and Brad Walst. At that age, he was heavily influenced by such legendary bands as Led Zeppelin, AC / DC, The Doors, Portishead, as well as prominent drummers Danny Carey, Phil Rudd and John Bonham. Such hobbies only strengthened his desire to make a musical career.
Creation of the first group
Soon, the five schoolchildren - Phill Crowey, Joey Grant, Adam Gonthier, Brad Wollst and Neil Sanderson - create the Groundswell band playing alternative rock. This happened in 1992 in Norwood (Ontario). In 1995, they recorded and released the one and only album called Wawe of Popular Feeling. Then, in 1997, the rock band was renamed Three Days Grace.
Along with his participation in this group, Neal since 1996 played in the Oddball team, which broke up in 1997. However, later the participants came together again, but with a new drummer called Thousand Foot Krutch. It is worth noting that the cousin of Neil became the vocalist of this group, whose name is Trevor McNiven.
Neil Sanderson: personal life
The musician manifests himself not only as a talented drummer, but also as a good father of the family. In December 12, 2003, he married a girl named Janine. Since then, the Nile began to have children - the flowers of life. So, daughter Violet was born in 2007, on June 29. A few years later, the son of Jet was born. This happened on March 8, 2010.
In addition to family life and working days, backing vocalist Neil Sanderson is actively helping sick children. He has his own Herby Charity Fund. In addition, for an alternative audience, the musician released a line of clothing of his own production.
Musical success
After creating the band in Norwood, Neil Sanderson, along with his teammates Adam Gontier and Brad Walst, move to Toronto, where they meet their producer Gavin Brown. Here the guys become popular thanks to their famous song I hate everything about you and the first music album, released in 2003. Soon they are signing a contract with Jive Records.
Then comes a short break in their musical career due to the addiction of Adam Gontier. However, even while in the clinic, he writes many sincere songs that have become hits. In 2006, the guys returned again with a new member - guitarist Barry Stoke, and the One-X album. Many singles took first place in the US Rock Charts.
In 2012, Adam Gontier leaves the group. He is replaced by Matt Walst, who is the brother of Brad Walst.
The Canadian band Three Days Grace still pleases fans with new albums.
Interesting Facts
Before the rock group became famous, its members worked hard and did not live in the best conditions.
- Back in 1992, when Neil Sanderson and his friends gathered in a group called Groundswell, the places where they performed were only where they were allowed to. So, they played at school discos and even at the premieres of new films. But they spent most of their time rehearsing in Gontier’s bedroom. It is worth noting that his parents were not at all against the hobbies of the boys.
- In one of the towns of Canada, namely in Peterborough, there was a cozy Sidewinders bar with several tables and a bar counter. Near the small stage there was such an announcement "Every Sunday night - karaoke, on Wednesday and Friday the Three Days Grase band plays." Interestingly, this bar was opened by Adam Gontier himself so that his group would have a place to speak. Two days a week, he played with his team in front of customers, the rest of the time he stood at the bar, serving them.
- When the guys moved to Toronto and did not yet know the future producer, they lived and rehearsed in a small basement. They also had a van, it was something between a school bus and a minivan, which very often broke. Many times they had to push him along the way to a performance.
- Three Days Grase songs are also heard in the cinema. For example, in the movie "Superstar" you can hear fragments from the compositions Are you ready and Home. In the series Ghost-Talking, in a series called The Curse of Ninth, the song Pain is played at a concert. And in the 8th season of the 16th episode of Smallville’s Secrets, Adam Gonthier performs with the Finnish band I don't care.