When classic rock bands lose their front men, they end up replacing them with a clone who sounds exactly like them. Examples would be Journey and Foreigner. Sales at the turnstiles have not slowed for either and it seems like this may be the wave of the future as these models in front are being tested and coming up to be winners.
A band with not the history of the aforementioned but are in the midst of building theirs are Three Days Grace. 3DG have too found themselves changing a front man a few years ago. Original vocalist Adam Gontier exited at the beginning of 2013 and entered was former My Darkest Days front man Matt Walst. With a new album in tow called “Human”( which was released on March 31, 2015), the band was eager to show new songs and what Matt Walst brings to the band.
Taking the stage shortly after 8pm, it was evident that he was up to the challenge as he covered every inch of the stage through their hour and 20 minute performance. There were speakers positioned in front and Matt Walst would walk on them and get even closer to the crowd. Guitarist Barry Stock played a bevy of guitars including a beautiful double neck which he used for “Pain.” They played their current single “Human Race” and received a strong response.
Matt Walst, original bass player Brad Walst and drummer Neil Sanderson were locked and loaded from the get go. Sanderson enjoyed a solo before the band played the first single from “Human” called “Painkiller.” The band stated for the ones who can never get enough of being satisfied this one is for you. The band then proceeded to play “Home.”
Walst isn’t Gontier (who is one of the more underrated rock singers to come out in the last 20 years) but he is holding his own. He needs to make his own mark and with the quality songs on “Human” and his stage presence (along with a little time) should do just fine.
Setlist:
I Am Machine
Just Like You
Chalk Outline
So What
Pain
Break
Human Race
Home
Drum Solo
Painkiller Fallen Angel
The Good Life
I Hate Everything About You
Never Too Late
Animal I Have Become
Encore:
The Real You
Riot
We would like to thank Maria Hays from Artpark for her assistance in obtaining credentials so BackstageAxxess can review the show.
