Interview with Three Days Grace’s Brad Walst (Part II)
by Lori Kerr
In April of 2006, Three Days Grace embarked on a tour with Staind and have been touring strong with other bands such as Nickelback and Breaking Benjamin ever since.
Bassist/vocalist Brad Walst said that the journey which distances him from his friends and family can be very hard at times. Walst is married and has a little boy at home in Canada. Although being away from your close ones can be hard at times, Walst said that there are also very amazing things about touring as well.
"I get to travel to a different city everyday," said Walst. "I get to see the country and meet a lot of very interesting people."
Three Days Grace has been a band that has stood the test of time. Walst, singer Adam Gontier and drummer Neil Sanderson have been playing together for the past 15 years. They grew up together and have been jamming since the 9th grade. The band was a three piece until the addition of guitarist Barry Stock in 2003.
"We went to school together in a small town," said Walst. "We eventually moved to a larger town in Canada, but we always kept together."
Walst said that the band as a whole writes their songs together. The making of One-X happened around a campfire at Neil's cottage. The boys spent a couple of months together just sitting around a fire, acoustically forming the album that is now running the airwaves.
The band has also been working on the follow up to One-X as they play night after night on the road.
"We got 2 or 3 songs ready to put on the upcoming CD which Walst expects to be released in the fall of 2008.
But, don't think that you won't get a chance to see the Canadian rockers. They have tours booked until February of next year.
When asked, Walst said that he is a fan of all music in general. Alice in Chains, NIN (Nine Inch Nails), and Radiohead were a few that popped off his mind. But, if you really want to know what Brad likes, he has Miles Davis in his CD player right now.
"There is nothing more relaxing than having a couple drinks after the show and listening to some jazz," said Walst.
And, where would a band be without their fans. Walst said that the fans are the reason that they are still out there pounding out hits night after night.
"It's very important to connect with your fans," said Walst. "Without are fans, we would be nothing."
Walst also said that radio has really taken Three Days Grace and embraced them which is very lucky.
One of Brad's fans can even be seen around sporting his signature on his prosthetic leg.
Advice from the Three Days Grace bassist for other bands trying to make it in the music business is to never stop writing and recording. Also, take as much advice from the people around you as you can. Go out and meet as many people as you can, because you never know when you might be able to go back to that person for help one day.
Walst said that on the road he and his fellow musicians find many things to pass the time. Walst said that he writes a lot. Also, golfing is a very good way to get out of the bus and have some fun and relax.
And a little tidbit that fans may find amusing or actually very normal. Brad went to college and is a bonafide accountant. His family has an accounting business which he worked at until Three Days Grace got signed.
"I used to be an accountant," said Walst. "The day I got a record contract is the day I quit."
So, I jokingly told Walst that at least if the music business didn't pan out for him he always would have another job. That was not good for him.
"I couldn't be an accountant again," said Brad. "I fried that part of my brain."
© 2007 UnRatedMagazine.com
In April of 2006, Three Days Grace embarked on a tour with Staind and have been touring strong with other bands such as Nickelback and Breaking Benjamin ever since.Bassist/vocalist Brad Walst said that the journey which distances him from his friends and family can be very hard at times. Walst is married and has a little boy at home in Canada. Although being away from your close ones can be hard at times, Walst said that there are also very amazing things about touring as well.
"I get to travel to a different city everyday," said Walst. "I get to see the country and meet a lot of very interesting people."
Three Days Grace has been a band that has stood the test of time. Walst, singer Adam Gontier and drummer Neil Sanderson have been playing together for the past 15 years. They grew up together and have been jamming since the 9th grade. The band was a three piece until the addition of guitarist Barry Stock in 2003.
"We went to school together in a small town," said Walst. "We eventually moved to a larger town in Canada, but we always kept together."
Walst said that the band as a whole writes their songs together. The making of One-X happened around a campfire at Neil's cottage. The boys spent a couple of months together just sitting around a fire, acoustically forming the album that is now running the airwaves.
The band has also been working on the follow up to One-X as they play night after night on the road.
"We got 2 or 3 songs ready to put on the upcoming CD which Walst expects to be released in the fall of 2008.
But, don't think that you won't get a chance to see the Canadian rockers. They have tours booked until February of next year.
When asked, Walst said that he is a fan of all music in general. Alice in Chains, NIN (Nine Inch Nails), and Radiohead were a few that popped off his mind. But, if you really want to know what Brad likes, he has Miles Davis in his CD player right now.
"There is nothing more relaxing than having a couple drinks after the show and listening to some jazz," said Walst.
And, where would a band be without their fans. Walst said that the fans are the reason that they are still out there pounding out hits night after night.
"It's very important to connect with your fans," said Walst. "Without are fans, we would be nothing."
Walst also said that radio has really taken Three Days Grace and embraced them which is very lucky.
One of Brad's fans can even be seen around sporting his signature on his prosthetic leg.
Advice from the Three Days Grace bassist for other bands trying to make it in the music business is to never stop writing and recording. Also, take as much advice from the people around you as you can. Go out and meet as many people as you can, because you never know when you might be able to go back to that person for help one day.
Walst said that on the road he and his fellow musicians find many things to pass the time. Walst said that he writes a lot. Also, golfing is a very good way to get out of the bus and have some fun and relax.
And a little tidbit that fans may find amusing or actually very normal. Brad went to college and is a bonafide accountant. His family has an accounting business which he worked at until Three Days Grace got signed.
"I used to be an accountant," said Walst. "The day I got a record contract is the day I quit."
So, I jokingly told Walst that at least if the music business didn't pan out for him he always would have another job. That was not good for him.
"I couldn't be an accountant again," said Brad. "I fried that part of my brain."
© 2007 UnRatedMagazine.com
Post a Comment