Band: Three Days Grace
Date: April 25, 2010
Venue: Citizens Business Bank Arena
City: Ontario, CA
Three Days Grace
Photos by Nicolas Bates at the X 103.9 Three Days Grace show
Written by Lindsay Murphy
X 103.9 put on a rockin’ show in Ontario, California, featuring alternative hard rock band from Ontario, Canada, Three Days Grace.
With their slew of memorable singles, high energy, and a few fun tricks, Three Days Grace played a solid set. As the lights dimmed at Citizens Business Bank Arena, Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” played over the speakers. Red lights flashed and sirens sounded announcing the band’s entrance, and they exploded into their first song.
At the start of the second song, a sheet dropped, revealing a large white banner splashed in black, pink, and purple featuring masked men bashing electronics and releasing birds, bats, and butterflies from the wreckage—cover art from their most recent album Life Starts Now. When not playing guitar and consequently tied to his mic stand, singer Adam Gontier exuded incredible energy. He covered all corners of the stage, showing off his presence while playing “The Good Life.”
As they burst into hit single “I Hate Everything About You,” the audience went absolutely crazy. “We’ve been on the road for like three months,” Gontier announced, “and you guys are one of the best fucking crowds we’ve played to!”
Guitarist Barry Stock broke out his double-neck guitar for “Pain,” in which Gontier emotionally growled the chorus. They then advocated obtaining their newest album by any means—buying, ripping, stealing, whatever. Hearing a band’s desire to have their music spread, without a concern for monetary gain, was refreshing.
Intertwining lights scanned a dark audience as they led into “Home,” one of the best songs of the set. With a prolonged intro and crowd volley that built anticipation, Gontier held out a piece of his specialized mic stand—a Terminator-inspired, silver claw with intricate exposed tendons that grasped the mic. The song culminated in the volcanic spewing of fireballs, after which the band left the stage.
After a robotic sample flashing in sync with electric blue lights, multi-talented drummer Neil Sanderson (who also plays keys and sings backup vocals) performed a lengthy, energetic drum solo. While rad, it also served as a distraction tool; four spotlights suddenly spouted attention onto a tiny stage on the opposite side of the venue, highlighting Gontier. He started singing “I Don’t Care,” and made his way through the crowd to the main stage.
Sanderson switched to keys and the kids pulled out their lighters/cell phones for “Last to Know.” “Goin’ Down” urged the crowd up, as did “Just Like You.” They then pounded out recent radio hit “Never Too Late.”
For their last song they asked for a request, and the crowd clamored with demands. The band lamented that they would not be able to play “Riot.” This announcement was met with resounding boos…but they were just kidding and launched into the song. The audience’s arms looked like a giant sea anemone, and the addition of fire further encouraged their desire to riot. Gontier continually threw guitar picks to fans during the song, like doggie treats rewarding good little rioters.
After exiting the stage, concertgoers chanted “Three Days Grace!” begging for an encore. Placating their commands, Gontier came back onstage and promised something special. Bathed in smoky blue spotlights, he played a moving cover of Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight,” with the band joining in toward the end. They then closed out the show with two of their own songs, “World So Cold” and crowd favorite “Animal I Have Become.” The latter featured Gontier extending his microphone claw for the audience to bolster his singing, more pyrotechnics, and a hail of thanks, love, get-home-safes, shirts, and drum sticks.
Overall, Three Days Grace put on an outstanding show. Their incredibly catchy songs translate well live, with the band gushing energy, engaging the crowd, and nailing every note.