Theory of a Deadman | |
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Background information | |
Also known as |
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Origin | North Delta, British Columbia, Canada |
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Years active | 1999–present |
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Past members |
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Website | theoryofficial |
Theory of a Deadman (abbreviated as Theory or T.O.A.D) is a Canadian rock band from North Delta, British Columbia. Formed in 1999, the band is currently signed to Roadrunner Records as well as 604 Records. The band includes traits of music styles, such as country and acoustic, in addition to their post-grunge and alternative rock foundation. Nine of their singles have entered the top ten of the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, including four songs that peaked at number one: "Bad Girlfriend", "Lowlife", "Rx (Medicate)" and "History of Violence".
Theory of a Deadman was initially formed in 1999 by lead guitarist/vocalist Tyler Connolly and bassist Dean Back. [1] They later became the first act to sign with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger's 604 Records imprint in 2001 after Connolly convinced Kroeger's ex-girlfriend Jodi to send him a copy of their first demo recording. Shortly afterwards; Kroeger invited Connolly to a barbecue and discussed giving his band a record deal soon after. They released their eponymous debut album Theory of a Deadman on September 17, 2002, co produced by Kroeger. The name of the band comes from a song from their first album, whose lyrics describe a man preparing to commit suicide. That track was later renamed "The Last Song". [2] The album was a large success for the band in North America, peaking at #4 in Canada and #85 in the US. The band would later tour in support of the album as an opening act for Nickelback throughout 2002 and 2003. The album was certified platinum in the United States and Canada on May 12, 2006.
On March 29, 2005, Theory of a Deadman released their second album, Gasoline . After the release of the album, the band toured with Shinedown and No Address. Starting on March 1, 2005, Theory began a promotional tour, headlined by Breaking Benjamin and The Exies. Songs from Gasoline appeared in the soundtrack of the 2005 video game Fahrenheit, which was released under the title Indigo Prophecy in the United States.
The band performed the theme song to World Wrestling Entertainment's No Way Out 2006 pay-per-view, a cover version of "Deadly Game" from the WWE Anthology album. The song was released on the WWE Wreckless Intent album. They also did a cover of "No Chance In Hell", the theme song for WWE chairman Vince McMahon. The song was released on WWE The Music, Vol. 8 on March 25, 2008. [3] [4] They also performed the theme song for the 2011 edition of the WWE pay-per-view SummerSlam.
On April 1, 2008, Theory of a Deadman released their third album, Scars & Souvenirs , from which they released eight singles: "So Happy", "By the Way", "Little Smirk", "Bad Girlfriend", "All or Nothing", "Hate My Life", "Not Meant to Be", and "Wait for Me". The song "By the Way" features vocals from Chris Daughtry and Robin Diaz. On April 6, 2008, they appeared at the Juno Awards in Calgary, Alberta, after making various stops across Canada in a promotion known as Journey to the Junos.
Theory also performed in the 96th Grey Cup halftime show, along with Suzie McNeil and Andree Watters, on November 23, 2008. [5] Along with Hinder, they supported Mötley Crüe during the 2008/2009 tour. They also played at Crüe Fest 2. [6]
Total Nonstop Action used Theory of a Deadman's song "Got it Made", from the album Scars & Souvenirs, for their special 2008 year review video. [7] The song later went on to be used by Sun Sports for Miami Heat post-game video recaps during the 2010-11 season. It was also used in the NASCAR 09 video game.
On April 9, 2009, Scars & Souvenirs was certified gold by the RIAA, with sales reaching 500,000 copies in the U.S. alone. [8]
In late 2010, it was announced that the band would start recording their fourth studio album, which was projected to be released in mid-2011. [9] [ better source needed ] It was then confirmed by Tyler Connolly that the band's fourth album would be released on July 12, 2011. [10] The first single from the album, "Lowlife", was released on May 17, 2011. [11] [ better source needed ] The title of the upcoming album was announced to be The Truth Is... [12]
In 2011, Theory co-headlined the second annual Carnival of Madness Tour with Alter Bridge. The supporting bands were Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way, and Emphatic. The band contributed a new song, which was co-written with The Exies singer Scott Stevens, called "Head Above Water", to the Transformers: Dark of the Moon soundtrack, which was released on June 14, 2011. Another track titled "Drag Me to Hell" was made available for free through the official Roadrunner Records website on June 16, 2011. [13] The second official single, "Out Of My Head", was released on June 14, 2011. On July 1, 2011, the unreleased single, "Let Me Go", featuring Pop Idol's Cveta Majtanović, was also released via CloudMusic and for the parted collaboration music video.
On November 9, 2013, it was confirmed via Theory's Twitter page that pre-production on their fifth album had started. In January 2014, they stated that they were "finishing up record number 5 next week" with release dates and news soon to come. In April 2014, Theory of a Deadman announced that a new single titled "Drown" would be released in April, with their new album Savages released in July. [14] The song "Panic Room" from the album would serve as the theme song for WWE's October pay-per-view Hell in a Cell. [15]
On April 28, 2015 the band released a 5 track acoustic EP titled Angel . On November 11, 2016, the band released a cover of the song "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, a tribute in recognition of his death on the seventh of the same month. [16]
In January 2017, the band announced that they were recording their sixth studio album. They released two cover singles shortly after—Sting's "Shape of My Heart" in February and Major Lazer's "Cold Water" on March 17. [17] [18] Instead of working with the same production team in Los Angeles that they had used for their previous four albums, they decided to work with Swedish music producer Martin Terefe, and spent seven weeks recording in London at Terefe's Kensaltown Studios. [19] [20] The group announced the name of their upcoming album— Wake Up Call —on July 27, 2017, with the release of its lead single, "Rx (Medicate)". The song, which handles the topic of prescription drug addiction, topped the Billboard US Mainstream Rock Songs chart for six consecutive weeks later that year, [21] [22] and earned the band a "No. 1 Song Award" from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). [23]
With the release of the new album, the band decided to undergo a name change, shortening it to Theory. The group cited that discussions involving the name of their band with people who are unfamiliar with their music was challenging. Connolly equated it to rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers frequently abbreviating their name to Chili Peppers. [24]
Wake Up Call has been described by critics as a departure from Theory of a Deadman's usual hard rock foundation, moving into pop and pop rock territory. [25] [26] To promote the album, the band launched a 33-city tour in the United States during the fall of 2017. [27] The tour was extended into 2018 to include shows throughout western Canada and Europe, [19] and the group toured in Australia for the first time in their career in June 2018. Connolly told The Music , "There's a real dichotomy of Theory now, two very different sides. Not that we want to get away from our old songs, but the new songs are so diverse, such a juxtaposition. We're really working on building a big show, and trying to make it all more visual, as well." [28]
The band returned to London in April 2019 to begin work on their seventh record with Terefe. [29] In August 2019, Connolly informed the public that the group would continue their 2019 headlining tour efforts in September. [30] On September 25, Theory of a Deadman announced their seventh album, Say Nothing , which was released on January 31, 2020; the news coincided with the release of the first single, accompanied by its music video, "History of Violence", a song that addresses domestic violence. [31] [32] "Strangers" was the second song to be released from Say Nothing and was released on November 8; the track examines the polarizing effect of politics on society and how current events are creating a new generation of activists. It was released simultaneously with an official animated music video. [33]
The band headlined a Canadian tour, beginning on January 31, 2020, to coincide with the release of the album. [34] Two North American tours were scheduled in 2020—one with American band 10 Years, and the second with Breaking Benjamin, Bush, Saint Asonia, and Cory Marks. Both were canceled due to the restrictions on large-scale gatherings on account of the coronavirus global pandemic. [35] [36]
On October 20, 2022, the band released a new single, "Dinosaur", which marked a return to their hard rock sound. [37]
Theory of a Deadman's music style has generally been regarded as post-grunge, [38] [39] [40] [41] hard rock, [38] [41] [42] alternative rock, [39] [40] alternative metal, [41] and pop rock. [42] The band also mixes country, pop, and acoustic elements into their sound. [40] [38]
Organization | Year | Category/award | Nominee/work | Result | Ref. |
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BMI Pop Awards | 2010 | Award-Winning Song (shared with co-writer Kara DioGuardi) | "Not Meant to Be" | Won | [43] |
Canadian Radio Music Awards | 2009 | Fans' Choice Award | Theory of a Deadman | Nominated | [44] [45] |
2010 | Fans' Choice Award | Theory of a Deadman | Nominated | [46] [47] | |
SOCAN Song of the Year | "Not Meant to Be" | Nominated | [46] [48] | ||
iHeartRadio Music Awards | 2018 | Rock Song of the Year | "Rx (Medicate)" | Nominated | [49] |
Juno Awards | 2003 | New Group of the Year | Theory of a Deadman | Won | [50] |
2006 | Group of the Year | Theory of a Deadman | Nominated | ||
Rock Album of the Year | Gasoline | Nominated | |||
2018 | Fan Choice | Theory | Nominated | ||
Rock Album of the Year | Wake Up Call | Nominated | |||
MuchMusic Video Awards | 2012 | MuchLOUD Rock Video of the Year | "Chick Came Back" | Nominated | [51] |
SOCAN | 2010 | Pop/Rock Music Award (shared with co-writer Kara DioGuardi) | "Not Meant to Be" | Won | [52] |
2012 | No. 1 Song Award (shared with co-writer Christine Connolly) | "Lowlife" | Won | [53] | |
2017 | No. 1 Song Award | "Rx (Medicate)" | Won | [54] | |
Western Canadian Music Awards | 2003 | Outstanding Rock Recording | Theory of a Deadman | Nominated | [55] |
2005 | Outstanding Rock Recording | Gasoline | Nominated | [56] | |
2009 | Rock Recording of the Year | Scars & Souvenirs | Won | [57] |
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. Throughout its history, it has consisted of lead guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, and bassist Mike Kroeger. It went through several drummer changes between 1995 and 2005 before Daniel Adair joined.
Chad Robert Kroeger is a Canadian musician who is the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Nickelback. In addition to his work with Nickelback, Kroeger has been involved with a variety of collaborations, appearing as a guest musician in several songs and has contributed in both production and songwriting. He has co-written several songs for other artists and films.
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Theory of a Deadman is the debut by the band Theory of a Deadman released in 2002.
Scars & Souvenirs is the third album by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, and was released on April 1, 2008. It has so far been the band's most successful album to date and has spawned many hit singles. A special edition CD/DVD of the album was released on October 20, 2009. It features bonus and acoustic tracks, the band's entire video catalog, and numerous making-of and behind-the-scenes features. Bonus video includes "Haciendas," Tyler's special send-up of MTV's Cribs.
"Bad Girlfriend" is a song by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman and is the second single from their third studio album Scars & Souvenirs (2008). The track's lyrics describe the circumstances of when lead singer and guitarist Tyler Connolly met his now ex-wife in a bar in Vancouver. The band collectively composed the song which was produced by Howard Benson. It peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart and number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was their first single to reach number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, making it the band's most successful release in the United States at the time.
"All or Nothing" is a song by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman from their third studio album Scars & Souvenirs (2008). The track was written by the band's lead singer and guitarist, Tyler Connolly, about meeting his wife, and was produced by Howard Benson. It reached number 22 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart and number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified platinum by Music Canada and gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Its music video was directed by Davin Black and was nominated for three awards at the 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards.
"Not Meant to Be" is a song recorded by Canadian rock group Theory of a Deadman for their third studio album, Scars & Souvenirs (2008). Band members Tyler Connolly, Dave Brenner, and Dean Back composed the song, while Connolly co-wrote the lyrics with songwriter and producer Kara DioGuardi. The song was released November 18, 2008 as the album's fifth overall radio single. It was the first song from the album to impact mainstream radio in the United States, concurrent with the release of "Hate My Life" to rock formats. In 2009, "Not Meant to Me" was included on the soundtrack to the science fiction action film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen despite not appearing in the film.
The Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman has released eight studio albums, one extended play (EP), thirty-seven singles, and twenty-six music videos. The band was formed in 1999 in Delta, British Columbia, by Tyler Connolly, Dave Brenner (guitar), Dean Back (bass), and former member Tim Hart (drums). They had been through multiple drummers before recruiting current member Joey Dandeneau in 2009.
"Make Up Your Mind" is a song by Canadian rock group Theory of a Deadman and is the second single from their eponymous debut album (2002). Released on January 13, 2003, the song's lyrics were written by the band's lead guitarist and singer Tyler Connolly and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger. Kroeger also produced the track along with Joey Moi. It peaked at number 13 on the Canadian Singles chart as well as the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Savages is the fifth studio album by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman. It was released on July 29, 2014.
Saint Asonia is a Canadian-American rock supergroup consisting of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Gontier, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Cale Gontier, and drummer Cody Watkins. In 2017, the band's original drummer, Rich Beddoe, left the band and was replaced by Mushok's Staind bandmate Sal Giancarelli, and one year later bassist and backing vocalist Corey Lowery left the band to join Seether and his place was taken by Gontier's cousin Cale Gontier. The band formed in Toronto, Canada in 2015 after Gontier's departure from Three Days Grace in 2013. Their second studio album, titled Flawed Design, was released on October 25, 2019. On January 26, 2020, Art of Dying drummer Cody Watkins became the new drummer for Saint Asonia replacing Sal Giancarelli.
Wake Up Call is the sixth studio album by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, released on October 27, 2017, through 604 Records in Canada and Atlantic and Roadrunner Records in the United States. Critics have described the album as having a more pop-infused sound than previous releases, which was the result of lead singer Tyler Connolly composing the majority of the record's music on the piano instead of the usual guitar. Departing from the same recording and production team they had worked with for the past four albums, the band opted to collaborate with Swedish music producer, Martin Terefe, and spent seven weeks at Kensaltown Studios in London.
"Rx (Medicate)" is a song performed by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, a track on their sixth studio album, Wake Up Call (2017). The song's lyrics were co-written by all four members of the band and address the prescription drug abuse epidemic occurring in North America. It was produced by Martin Terefe and recorded at Terefe's Kensaltown Studios in London. Along with the group's usual hard rock sound, the song uses elements of pop and country music genres. The band's transition into the pop genre has been associated with lead singer Tyler Connolly's newly acquired piano-playing ability, which forced a change in his songwriting style.
"Straight Jacket" is a song by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman from their sixth studio album, Wake Up Call (2017). It is the second single from the record, following "Rx (Medicate)". Produced by Martin Terefe, it was recorded at Terefe's Kensaltown Studios in London and was released on January 16, 2018. Its music video, which was inspired by the American film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, was unveiled three weeks later on the band's official YouTube page.
This article summarizes the events related to rock music for the year of 2017.
Say Nothing is the seventh studio album by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, released on January 31, 2020, through 604 Records in Canada and Atlantic and Roadrunner Records in the United States. The record contains lyrics about such issues as domestic violence and racism. The band opted to continue their collaboration with Swedish music producer Martin Terefe—who worked with them on their previous album Wake Up Call—returning to London in April 2019. Their prior album marked the group's departure from their usual hard rock sound to a more pop- and pop rock-infused style and was met with mixed reviews from critics.
"History of Violence" is a song performed by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, a single from their seventh studio album, Say Nothing (2020). It was produced by Martin Terefe and recorded at Kensaltown Recording Studios in London. The band's transition into the pop rock genre is still evident in "History of Violence", and has been associated with lead singer Tyler Connolly's piano-playing ability, which forced a change in songwriting style and was acquired prior to the recording of their sixth record, Wake Up Call (2017). "History of Violence" marked the group's fourth single to top the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in the United States, and appeared on the Billboard Canada Rock, Rock Airplay, and Hot Rock Songs charts as well.