Matt Walst

Not to be confused with Matt Walsh.

Matt Walst
Walst performing with Three Days Grace in 2015
Walst performing with Three Days Grace in 2015
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Jean Paul Walst
Born (1982-12-28) December 28, 1982 (age 41)
Norwood, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2003–present
Member ofThree Days Grace
Formerly ofMy Darkest Days

Matthew Jean Paul Walst (born December 28, 1982) is a Canadian musician who is the co-lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Three Days Grace, which also includes his older brother Brad as bassist. Before joining Three Days Grace, he was the lead singer of My Darkest Days.[1]

Early life

Walst was born and raised in Norwood, Ontario.[2] He began singing at the age of 12, where he also started making his own music.[3] Walst attended Norwood District High School.[4]

Career

My Darkest Days (2005–2013)

Main article: My Darkest Days
Walst performing with My Darkest Days in 2009

Walst formed My Darkest Days in 2005 with his friends Brendan McMillan on bass guitar, Doug Oliver on drums, and Chris McMillan on lead guitar.[5] In 2009, the group signed with 604 Records by Chad Kroeger.[6] They released their debut single, "Porn Star Dancing" in June 2010.[7] The band released their debut self-titled studio album later that year.[8] In 2012, they released their second studio album, Sick and Twisted Affair.[9] After Walst joined Three Days Grace in 2013, the band went on hiatus.[10]

Three Days Grace (2013–present)

Main article: Three Days Grace

Following Adam Gontier's departure from Three Days Grace in January 2013, Matt Walst was brought on as their replacement lead vocalist for their tour and was later made the permanent lead singer of the band.[11] Prior to joining Three Days Grace, Walst wrote a few songs with the group such as "Scared" and "Let You Down" from their 2003 self-titled album and "Operate" and "The High Road" from their 2012 album Transit of Venus.[12] He was also one of the composers of the said album.[13] They released their fifth studio album, Human in 2015, which was the first album with Walst.[14] Their sixth studio album was released in 2018 titled, Outsider.[15] In 2022, they released their seventh studio album, Explosions.[16]

In 2024, Three Days Grace announced that Gontier had officially rejoined the band and that Walst would also remain as a singer.[17]

Walst joined Bighead, Yung Booke and Young Thug on the single, "Emotions", in 2021.[18]

Personal life

Walst is a fan of the UFC and took MMA classes in 2016.[19] His brother Brad is the bassist for Three Days Grace. In 2022, Walst was inducted into the Norwood District High School Hall of Honor along with his brother Brad and then-former vocalist Adam Gontier.[20] He has a son.[21]

He stated that his influences include Deftones and Nirvana.[22]

Discography

with Three Days Grace

Main article: Three Days Grace discography

with My Darkest Days

Singles

Title Year Album
"I Will Survive!"[23]
(Shadow Cliq featuring Matt Walst) 		2023 Non-album single

Other appearances

Title Year Artist(s) Album Notes Ref.
"Legion of Demons" 2010 Psych Ward Decrepid Methods Featured artist [24]
"Elevator" 2017 Fozzy Judas Composer [25]
"Nowhere to Run" 2019 Boombox Composer [26]

References

  1. ^ Spencer Kaufman (January 9, 2013). "Singer Adam Gontier Explains Departure From Three Days Grace". Loudwire. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "Brothers unite in new-look Three Days Grace". The Peterborough Examiner. January 9, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Mitch Seekins (February 14, 2022). "3 Days Grace – Matt Walst 'Sing Like A Pro Interview Series' with Mitch Seekins The Vocal Coach". Mitch Seekins Vocal Studio. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Alicia Selin (July 9, 2022). "Three Days Grace Members Reunite With Ex-Singer at 'Powerful' High School Event". Loudwire. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  5. ^ "My Darkest Days - Bio". Melodic. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  6. ^ James Christopher Monger. "My Darkest Days Biography by James Christopher Monger". AllMusic. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "Zakk Wylde Featured in My Darkest Days Video". Blabbermouth.net. June 21, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Sandra Sperounes (November 8, 2010). "CD review: My Darkest Days, My Darkest Days". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Johan Wippsson (March 27, 2012). "My Darkest Days' Newest Album, Sick And Twisted Affair, Available Now". Melodic. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "Former Members of 'My Darkest Days' Return as 'Never Say Die'". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  11. ^ Chad Childers (January 9, 2013). "Matt Walst Discusses His New Role As Singer of Three Days Grace + Status of My Darkest Days". Loudwire. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  12. ^ Three Days Grace (booklet). Three Days Grace. Jive. 2003. 82876-53479-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ "Transit of Venus - Three Days Grace | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  14. ^ Childers, Chad (February 25, 2015). "Three Days Grace Reveal 'Human' Track Listing + More". Loudwire. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  15. ^ Chad Childers (March 7, 2018). "Three Days Grace's Matt Walst 'More Comfortable' With 'Outsider'". Loudwire. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  16. ^ Childers, Chad (November 29, 2021). "Three Days Grace Seek Escape With Heavy New Song 'So Called Life', Announce New Album". Loudwire. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "Three Days Grace Welcome Back Original Singer Adam Gontier │ Exclaim!".
  18. ^ Chad Childers (July 27, 2021). "Three Days Grace Join Young Thug, BigHead and Yung Brooke On Rap Song 'Emotions'". Loudwire. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  19. ^ Chad Childers (March 7, 2018). "Three Days Grace's Matt Walst Definitely Feels More Comfortable Writing Outsider Disc With The Band". Loudwire. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "Three Days Grace Bassist Says Reunion With Ex-Vocalist Adam Gontier For High School Honor Was 'Powerful'". Blabbermouth.net. July 7, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  21. ^ "Proud moment!! 3dg 4 life!!!". Instagram. April 11, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  22. ^ Chamberlain, Rick (July 11, 2022). "Three Days Grace's Matt Walst on juggling fatherhood, loss and recording new album, Explosions". Loudersound. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  23. ^ "I Will Survive! - Single by Shadow Cliq". Spotify. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  24. ^ Legion of Demons (feat. Matt Walst), December 1, 2013, retrieved October 10, 2023
  25. ^ "Judas - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  26. ^ "Nowhere to Run - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 4, 2022.