Интервю с THREE DAYS GRACE: „По-близки сме от всякога“

Would you like to share some secrets regarding your next album? We know the songs are already done. But what should we expect? How will it sound?
It’s heavy and is going to have a lot of power as far as the sound.  The lyrics are really personal and emotional with some dark moments….just like life.  Our music always has a tendency to reflect how we’re feeling about our own lives, ya know….that keeps it real for us.

Do you plan working with the producer Gavin Brown again?
Yep.  He’s been coming out to my house in the country a 3 days a week and we all hang out and work on songs, ride motorbikes, and hang out around a campfire.  That’s been our process making this record so far!
Where will you record it?

As soon as we get back from this upcoming tour of Eastern Europe and Russia, we immediately move into a studio near the Toronto area, in Canada where we live.  It’s close enough to the big city but far enough away that we can have some peace and quiet while we create. What is the most interesting fact about your upcoming album?
We actually had started making plans to record this album in either Ireland or France, but when we looked at the calendar we realized that we wouldn’t be home for 2 months, and its gonna be summer in Canada…and warm weather here is rare…so we wanted to do it closer to home and to the lakes!

Is there a thing, or an element, or an instrument in it, that you never did in any of your previous titles?
We haven’t started recording yet but we have plans to experiment with some drums from different musical styles and era’s..  Lately I’ve been inspired by beats ranging from Peter Gabriel to Kanye West!  I love tribal sounding drums too.

Usually you make a three-year break between the albums. We know you`ll be recording in July. But does that mean that we`ll wait until 2018 until it comes out?
We don’t have specific plans for release right now but I wouldn’t be surprised if we drop a song this year.  All I can say is that we’re working hard every day and can’t wait to share this music!

How can you see your sound evolved throughout the years? I mean, from the position of musicians and authors, not fans?
The word evolution is a bit of a strange thing in describing a career I think.  I mean everyone on the planet is a little bit “different” than they were 10 years ago…simply due to living more.  I guess that’s technically “evolving”.  So even though we set out to make music for the same personal reasons, it comes out different because we are.  I guess since Matt joined we sound a little edgier and heavier…maybe that because the whole world seems a little more on-edge (and heavier hahah)

Which is the most important lesson you have learned being a part of an active and successful band?
I think just paying attention to your body and doing your best to take care of it.  Touring can be unhealthy for you if you let it.  Erratic hours, no home-cooked meals, and the physical demand onstage.  I recently had foot surgery from 25 years of heavy drumming.  It was a bit of an awakening.  It still hurts but much better.  I think the biggest lesson is that if you don’t get enough sleep or drink enough water, you can’t succeed at anything..lol.

This year you will celebrate 20 years of Three Days Grace. Have you planned some kind of celebration already?
Going onstage in front of over 100k people in Europe and Russia over the next month IS the celebration.

What have you learned as a band for all those two decades?
If you’re in a band, then you are in a close and twisted relationship with several other people.  You’ll see the best and the worst of all of them.  What you choose to react to is everything if you wanna stay together.  And if you don’t communicate, you’re f****d.

What do you consider as your biggest achievement for those 20 years on stage?
Playing 2 shows with the Rolling Stones in Canada, then having beers with Mick and Keith afterwards.   They were humble and awesome. Very, very inspiring to see how grounded they are considering they are the most important rockstars on the planet today.

Is there anything that you want to achieve as a band?
I’d like to convince the band that we MUST play one show once a year on a Caribbean Island, Hawaii, or any other beautiful beachside resort.

Do you accept the opinion of people who think that your music refers to the teenagers only?
Well we were all teenagers once so I guess technically we’re relating to everyone at some point!

What inspires you for writing new songs?
Real life, dreams and nightmares, other peoples conversations, worrying and anxiety, reading about tragedy, memories good and bad, wondering about the future.

Do you have a favorite song to play when you are on stage?
Riot – people go crazy

Do you prefer playing on a big stage arena or on small venue concerts and why?
I love the looking out at the big sea of people.  And as a drummer, the notion that my foot hitting the bass drum turns into a wall of energy that hits people in the chest, is awesome.

How having brothers in the band influences its sound? And does it help or harm band`s concert and studio life?
We’re closer than we’ve ever been.  We’re all like brothers and we all have a mutual trust and respect for each other.   And we all wake up excited and passionate on what we’re about to embark on.  Its all we could ask for

We know you love riding bikes. Tell us more, what bikes do you own and how do you find time to enjoy riding them?
Well, As far as motorized I have a Triumph Speedmaster that I like to ride..(dont text and drive) and a couple ATV’s that I love to trail ride
Mountain bikes I have a Specialized hybrid that I take on tour which is pretty good for road and trails, and I have a Norco mountain bike at home with 29” that I like to take on hazardous trails (not before a tour).

Do you have some kind of a special ritual before going onstage?
Shot of tequila and a fist pump

What is the weirdest or funniest thing that happened while you were on stage?
I fell off the back of the stage once during a show, but I was saved by a folding table.

Do you find the audience in Europe different from the one in North America and if yes – what is the difference?
Less people get seem to get hurt in the mosh pit.  And I love the flash mobs when you play certain songs!

How do you feel when you see a guy in the audience chats on their smartphone while you play?
It’s not a huge deal for me, but I feel bad for them that they might be missing the true experience of why we are there in the first place, in order to capture a loud pixelated video.

Looking down the road, where do you think Three Days Grace is going to be in a few years?
We spend so much time touring the world after we put out an album, that I’m sure this will be no different.

What do you expect from your first show here in Bulgaria?
I can’t wait.  I’m going to be a tourist on a bike lol.  Look for me!!  It’s looks beautiful to explore.

Thanks for your time! We wish you a very funny time here in Bulgaria!