Adam Gontier
Gontier in October 2015
Born
Adam Wade Gontier

(1978-05-25) May 25, 1978
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Years active1992–present
Spouses
  • Naomi Faith Brewer
    (m. 2004; div. 2013)
  • Jeanie Marie Larsen
    (m. 2015)
Children2[1]
RelativesCale Gontier (cousin)
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Member ofSaint Asonia
Formerly of

Adam Wade Gontier (born May 25, 1978) is a Canadian singer and musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for Saint Asonia,[7] but is best known as the former lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace.[8] Gontier left Three Days Grace on January 9, 2013.[9] In addition to his work with Three Days Grace and Saint Asonia, he has been involved in collaborations with other bands including Art of Dying, Apocalyptica, Breaking Benjamin, Skillet and Thousand Foot Krutch.[10]

Early life

Gontier was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada on May 25, 1978, the youngest of four brothers. He was raised in Markham, Ontario.[11][12] Shortly after his parents divorced, he moved back to the Peterborough area, where he initially attended Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute.[11] In 1992, he moved to the Norwood area, and attended Norwood District High School, where he met and befriended Three Days Grace members Neil Sanderson and Brad Walst.[13] Gontier's mother was a jazz piano player and was an influence to him as a musician.[14]

Gontier began writing songs at the age of 14 and was influenced by bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. He also cites inspiration from the Seattle music scene.[15] Gontier has stated that he uses music "as an outlet and release for emotions and feelings."[16]

Notable works and collaborations

Outside of Three Days Grace, Gontier has also written and collaborated with numerous writers, musicians and bands. Some of his collaborations include Daughtry, Ian Thornley, Max Martin, Shaun Morgan, Ben Burnley, Art of Dying, Before the Curtain, and fellow musicians and long time friends Kevin Brown, Grainne Ryan, and Kim Brown.[10]

He has also contributed to a number of other albums. He contributed vocals and musical arrangement on "I Don't Care" on Apocalyptica's album, Worlds Collide in 2007.[10]

Gontier was also featured on the track "Raining" by fellow Canadian band Art of Dying on their album Vices and Virtues.[10] His cousin, Cale Gontier, is the bass player for Art of Dying.[11][17]

In 2006, Gontier was a member of the rock supergroup Big Dirty Band along with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Jeff Burrows, Ian Thornley and Care Failure, covering "I Fought the Law", as part of the Trailer Park Boys movie soundtrack.[18][19]

In 2009, Adam Gontier worked with Daughtry on their second studio album Leave This Town. The song "Back Again" was featured on the physical copy of Daughtry's Leave This Town: The B-Sides EP.[20]

Gontier performing live with Three Days Grace in 2010

In 2011, Gontier created the record label, Sludge Factory Records, and has signed three acts, one of which is fellow Peterborough band, Before the Curtain.[21]

On January 9, 2013, Gontier resigned from Three Days Grace.[22] He left as the band was about to embark on a co-headlining tour.[22] Matt Walst from My Darkest Days, the brother of bassist Brad Walst, became the new lead singer.[23]

During 2015, Gontier worked with Staind guitarist Mike Mushok on a supergroup called Saint Asonia. The band released their self-titled, debut album on July 31, 2015.[24]

On January 24, 2020, Breaking Benjamin released their compilation album, Aurora, that included Gontier on the track "Dance with the Devil".[10] In 2021, Gontier released a song for PUBG Mobile titled, "Tidal Wave".

On April 19, 2023, Gontier reunited with Three Days Grace to perform "Never Too Late" and "Riot".[25] Gontier formed a new project called Diviidedby in April 2023.[26]

Solo career

Gontier joined singer and songwriter Martin Sexton on the road during his 2012 "Fall Like Rain" tour, providing opening support as a solo artist.[27] He also joined Citizen Cope for a few shows as a solo act.[28] Gontier continued to do shows and concerts as a solo artist. Several songs have been released, but not as singles. In early March 2013, Gontier publicly announced and launched his Adam Gontier Solo Live Tour.[4]

Awards

Gontier performing live in 2017

In 2004, Gontier was named on Chart Attack magazine's "20 Sexiest Canadian Musicians" list.[29] In 2006, Gontier and Three Days Grace won the Billboard Music Awards for Rock Single of the Year.[30] In 2008, Gontier won the BMI Pop Awards.[31] Michael Bell handed him the "Big Time Award", at the 2012 "Wire Awards". Gontier was inducted into the Norwood District High School Hall of Honor in July 2022 along with Brad and Matt Walst.[32]

Personal life

Gontier married Naomi Faith Brewer in 2004. The couple divorced in 2013. He married Jeanie Marie Larsen in March 2015.[11][33] As of 2023, he resides in Nashville, Tennessee.[34]

In 2005, he went into rehabilitation at the CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) in Toronto, where he wrote many of the songs for One-X, including "Never Too Late", which was co-written by Adam's ex-wife, Naomi Faith Brewer. Both Gontier and Brewer wrote the video for the song, and she also appears in the video. While in CAMH in Toronto, Gontier wrote "Pain", "Animal I Have Become", "Get Out Alive", "Over and Over", and "Gone Forever".[35][16] A docu-drama about his addiction, Behind the Pain, was released in 2007.[35][36]

Gontier has been open about his struggles with mental health.[37] He stated that he relapsed in 2017 and went into a treatment center. Since then, Gontier has been sober and stated that he has "no plans on going back to a dark place anytime soon."[38]

Discography

with Three Days Grace

with Saint Asonia

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Album
"Tidal Wave"[39] 2021 Non-album single
Title Year Peak chart positions Certification Album
CAN
[40]
FIN
[41]
US
[42]
"I Don't Care"
(Apocalyptica featuring Adam Gontier)
2008 591378 Worlds Collide
"Wars"
(Cevilain featuring Adam Gontier)
2021 Non-album single
"Let the Sparks Fly"[44]
(Thousand Foot Krutch featuring Adam Gontier)
2023 The End Is Where We Begin: Reignited
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Other appearances

Year Title Artist Album Notes
2007 "I Don't Care" Apocalyptica Worlds Collide Composer, featured artist[45]
2011 "Raining" Art of Dying Vices and Virtues Composer, featured artist[46]
2020 "Dance with the Devil" Breaking Benjamin Aurora Featured artist[47]
2021 "Wars" Cevilain N/A Featured artist[48]
2023 "Finish Line" Skillet Dominion Featured artist[49]
2023 "Let The Sparks Fly" Thousand Foot Krutch The End is Where We Begin: Reignited Featured artist[50]

References

  1. "Saint Asonia Fans on Instagram: "Adam's son turns 3 month Asher Wade Gontier ADAM HAS GOT A SON Congrats✨❇ #AdamGontier #saintasonia #ashergontier"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  2. "Three Days Grace – Human (Album Review)". April 13, 2015.
  3. "Interview – Adam Gontier Of Saint Asonia". crypticrock. September 8, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Adam Gontier keeps rocking after leaving Three Days Grace". axs. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  5. "Three Days Grace News". Loudwire.
  6. Doray, Dave (December 2, 2003). "Three Days Grace". IGN. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  7. "Staind, Three Days Grace Members form Saint Asonia". May 8, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  8. Kelley, Trevor (January 2007). "Three Days and grace". Revolver (52): 46–48. ISSN 1527-408X.
  9. "Singer Adam Gontier Explains Departure From Three Days Grace". Loudwire.com. January 9, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Adam Gontier Songs". AllMusic.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Lucas, Nici (June 23, 2016). "A Chat with Adam Gontier of Saint Asonia and formerly Three Days Grace". adventuremusiclife.com.
  12. "Saint Asonia | Facebook | Mailbag Monday with Adam Gontier!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  13. Sutton, Michael. "Three Days Grace > Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  14. Chris Epting (October 8, 2012). "Three Days Grace's Adam Gontier on Helping Fans With Addiction Issues, The Canadian Band That Changed His Life". Noisecreep. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  15. Yuri Wuensch. "Three Days Grace cheats death". Jam!. Canoe.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Wagner, Vit (November 28, 2006). "Saving Grace". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  17. "Art of Dying". AllMusic.
  18. "The Big Dirty Band Featuring Rush Members: 'I Fought The Law' Video Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. September 23, 2006. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  19. "The Big Dirty Band".
  20. Oken, Ashley (November 11, 2020). "Adam Gontier on Life After Three Days Grace". Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  21. "Before The Curtain Joins Sludge Factory Records". Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  22. 1 2 "Singer Adam Gontier Explains Departure From Three Days Grace". Loudwire. January 9, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  23. Melina Robinson. "Review: Three Days Grace graces the Joint with new frontman Matt Walst". LasVegasSun.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  24. "Saint Asonia Announces Debut Album Release Date: Exclusive". June 18, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  25. "Three Days Grace Rejoined By Singer Adam Gontier For Two Songs At Huntsville Concert". Blabbermouth.net. April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  26. Anne Erickson (April 20, 2023). "Three Days Grace Reunite Onstage with Original Singer Adam Gontier for Two Songs: Watch". Yahoo!. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  27. Mary Ouellette (January 22, 2012). "Three Days Grace Frontman Adam Gontier on Tour With Martin Sexton". Loudwire. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  28. "Three Days Grace's Adam Gontier and Martin Sexton come to The Queen". doverpost.
  29. "Chart's October 2004 Issue: 20 Sexiest Canadian Musicians". Chart Attack. Archived from the original on December 2, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  30. "The 2006 Billboard Music Award Winners". Billboard. December 4, 2006. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  31. "Adam Gontier Interview - The 2008 BMI Pop Awards". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  32. Alicia Selin (July 8, 2022). "Three Days Grace Members Reunite With Ex-Singer at 'Powerful' High School Event". Loudwire. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  33. "Former Three Days Grace Frontman Adam Gontier Gets Engaged". August 1, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  34. "Adam Gontier Reunited with Three Days Grace in Nashville". TheBuzz. October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  35. 1 2 Bliss, Karen (March 30, 2007). "3DG doc aims to help addicts". JAM! Music. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  36. "Adam Gontier on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 20, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  37. Big Jake (May 16, 2022). "Adam Gontier Of Saint Asonia Opens Up About Mental Struggles; Substance Abuse". Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  38. "Ex-Three Days Grace Singer Adam Gontier: I Have 'No Plans On Going Back To A Dark Place Anytime Soon'". Blabbermouth.net. May 16, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  39. "Tidal Wave - Single by Adam Gontier". Apple Music. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  40. "Adam Gontier Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  41. "Discography Apocalyptica". finnish-charts.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  42. "Adam Gontier Chart History (The Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  43. "Gold & Platinum - Music Canada". Music Canada. November 1984. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  44. "Let the Sparks Fly - Single by Thousand Foot Krutch, Adam Gontier". Apple Music. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  45. "Worlds Collide - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  46. "Vices and Virtues - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  47. "Aurora - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  48. "Wars (feat. Adam Gontier)". Apple Music. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  49. Finish Line (feat. Adam Gontier), January 20, 2023, retrieved January 21, 2023
  50. Let the Sparks Fly - 2023, December 8, 2023, retrieved December 23, 2023
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