For more than twenty years, Three Days Grace have been a fixture in modern rock. The band has always delivered intense musical arrangements with powerful vocals, whether in the early days with Adam Gontier, during Matt Walst’s leadership after Adam left, or now with both sharing the stage together. Tracks like I Hate Everything About You and Animal I Have Become, Never Too Late and I am Machine have become anthems for generations of fans, connecting teenagers discovering rock for the first time with long-time listeners reliving the soundtracks of their youth.

Taking over the role of a frontman as iconic as Adam Gontier was a major challenge at first. Matt inherited more than songs; he inherited a legacy and a devoted fan base. For over a decade, he led Three Days Grace through tours, albums, and changes in the music world, showing that growth in rock is not only about loudness but also about staying true to yourself.

“Yes, it was just after 2012 that I stepped in,” Matt recalls. “I’ve gotten to see so many places, play so many shows, and make so many new fans along the way. In terms of growth, I’ve definitely become more humble in every aspect of the music business, and yes – it’s been amazing.”

However, emotionally, the early days were like a tornado. “Oh yeah. For a little bit, it was a mix of emotions for sure. Excitement, anxiety – a lot of different emotions,” he says, reflecting on stepping into Adam’s shoes. It’s a candid acknowledgment that even experienced musicians feel the pressure of stepping into a band with such a legendary history.

Through it all, the heart of Three Days Grace’s music has stayed strong. Matt emphasises that the themes the band explores, such as vulnerability, anger, and personal reflection, remain enduring because they come from real-life experience. “Life changes, but you still feel a lot of the same things you did when you were younger,” he explains. “You still get angry or depressed, and sometimes you feel good. We write about personal things and about what’s going on in the world around us. I think people can always relate to our music because it comes from a very personal place – we’re writing about real things.”

Adam Gontier’s return in 2024 has added an entirely new dimension to the band. Now, with two vocalists and two leaders, Three Days Grace occupies a creative space where past and present come together. Adding two vocalists has changed their live shows, giving old songs new energy and making new tracks sound richer.

“We grew up together. I was always a big fan of the band before I was in the band – my brother plays bass in the band. So to be part of this, to have Adam back, and to work with him on vocals as part of the same team is really cool,” Matt says. He laughs as he recalls a significant moment in their shared history: “Adam was even my babysitter once. I was about 12 years old, and Adam babysat me for a day because Brad couldn’t. I only remember it because he caught me smoking. He told Brad, and I remember being pissed off – like, ‘You jerk, I trusted you.’ Then Brad beat the crap out of me. So yeah, that’s the history.”

The musical chemistry between the two vocalists is natural. When discussing their latest album, Alienation, Matt points out how the dual-vocal approach guided the songwriting and recording process. “Yes, just the dual vocals, switching back and forth – it adds a really cool dynamic to the songs. When we started the first song, which was Mayday, everything just began coming together naturally.” And despite the complexities of having two strong voices in a band, creative clashes are surprisingly rare. “Not really. We kind of naturally know where we’re going to sit vocally. It just falls into place, so yes – that’s pretty rare,” he adds.

Even within this cohesion, certain tracks demand extra attention. “There’s a song on the album called The Power. We usually have one song on every record that we overthink, rewrite, and rewrite – and then end up going back to the original idea. That was the song on this album. On the last record, it was So Called Life. Before that, it was The Mountain on Outsider, and before that, I Am Machine. There’s always one song like that for us.”

Fans’ connection to the music is one of the band’s most rewarding aspects. Matt is struck by how the band’s audience spans generations. “Yeah, it’s really cool. The parents are getting their kids into music, and it’s kind of crazy to watch. We have such a broad fan base – you see young kids, teenagers, parents, and even people who are as old as my parents coming out to shows. That part is pretty wild.”

But what really makes Three Days Grace resonate across generations? Matt reflects: “I think it’s just catchy music. Like AC/DC – they have catchy songs that sit in a similar range, and they last forever. We’ve kind of become a classic band now, and I feel like our music is catchy in that same way. I honestly think I Hate Everything About You will still be listened to 20 years from now. People will still connect to it, and that’s pretty special.”

The impact of their catalogue can be seen even outside the venues. “No matter if you’re a fan of Three Days Grace or not, almost everyone knows one or two of your songs – especially from a time before social media. That kind of impact is incredible,” I tell Matt.

“Thank you. Yeah, it really is something incredible,” Matt replies.

Touring, however, is far from routine. Matt describes the intensity of performing for audiences that range from die-hard fans to new listeners experiencing the band for the first time. “My mentality is the same everywhere I go, but this tour [in Europe] has been really crazy. Every night there’s a mosh pit, and the fans are incredibly passionate. It’s definitely been wild.”

And yet, humour and friendship remain at the heart of the group. One of the fans, a 15-year-old boy who came to the show with his parents, asked which band member Matt wouldn’t trust with the tour bus key. Matt laughs: “Probably Neil. He’s already lost his fob to get on the bus, I think. He’s gone through a few passports over the years – he’ll forget it in his pocket, wash his clothes, and then his passport is totally screwed. He just tends to lose things, so I definitely wouldn’t give him the bus key.”

After decades of making music and touring, Three Days Grace are stronger than ever. With Matt and Adam sharing the lead, the band’s music feels richer while staying true to the sound that has driven Three Days Grace for over twenty years. Two voices from different eras now tell the same story: pain can be powerful, healing can be shared, and great rock music lasts.

“Thank you,” Matt says at the end of our conversation.

Perfectly genuine and entirely fitting for a band whose greatest strength has always been their music.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Image © 2025 Maggie Zhu for View of the Arts

_{A big thank you to The Noise Cartel for their assistance with the interview, and to Matt for taking the time to sit down with us ahead of the show.}

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a special focus on the Asian entertainment industry. Alongside in-depth features on emerging and established musicians, we provide thoughtful coverage of cinema, from independent films to international releases, exploring the stories and work that bring them to life. Through interviews, reviews, and features, we connect our audience with the voices and visions driving the cultural landscape today.}