Wade MacNeil

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Wade MacNeil
Alexisonfire (25114985091).jpg
MacNeil performing with Alexisonfire in 2015
Background information
Birth nameWade MacNeil
Born (1984-05-05) May 5, 1984 (age 40)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres Post-hardcore, punk rock, hardcore punk, alternative rock, folk punk, goth rock
Occupation(s)Musician, guitarist, singer, songwriter, radio dj
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass
Years active2001–present
Labels Distort Entertainment, Dine Alone
Member of Alexisonfire, Black Lungs, Dooms Children
Formerly of Gallows

Wade MacNeil (born May 5, 1984) is a Canadian musician best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. He is also the vocalist of the hardcore punk band Gallows, and the vocalist, guitarist and founder of the punk band Black Lungs.

Contents

MacNeil has featured as a guest vocalist for songs by various other artists, including "St. Andrews" by Bedouin Soundclash, "Deathsmarch" by Cancer Bats (also appearing in the song's video), "Widower" by Johnny Truant, "The Gre(A)t Depression" by Anti-Flag and "She Upon the Black Wolf" by The Banner.

MacNeil was also the weekend afternoon announcer on CFNY-FM (102.1 the Edge) Toronto from November 2014 to August 2018, and made an appearance as a radio host in the 2020 movie Random Acts of Violence.

Music career

MacNeil in 2008 with Black Lungs WarpedTour-902.jpg
MacNeil in 2008 with Black Lungs

With Alexisonfire

MacNeil co-founded Alexisonfire in fall 2001 after being phoned by Dallas Green, who asked for MacNeil's assistance in getting Green's band at the time, Helicon Blue, some shows in the area. MacNeil, having just left the band After the Hallowed Moment, [1] had been jamming with drummer Jesse Ingelevics, and asked Green if he wanted to start a band with him. Green accepted, and the three jammed together, with both MacNeil and Green on guitar and vocals, which was later cited as the first Alexisonfire practice together. [2] Chris Steele, who was an active member alongside MacNeil in the bands Plan 9 and After the Hallowed Moment, assumed the role of bass player. MacNeil recruited George Pettit, after having seen him perform as the bassist in the metal band Condemning Salem, a band which Pettit expressed great discontent in playing in. [1]

With Gallows

Frank Carter, the original vocalist of UK hardcore band Gallows, announced in early July 2011 that he would be leaving Gallows because of differing opinions in writing the band's follow-up album to their second release Grey Britain . His departure was effective from August 1, after the band's final tour dates. [3] Just eight days after Frank's departure, on August 9, 2011, MacNeil was confirmed as the new Gallows vocalist. MacNeil has stated that the members of Gallows asked him initially out of coincidence that Alexisonfire had disbanded and Gallows needed a new singer. [4] The band completed a debut release with Wade, Death Is Birth , a four track extended play which was released on December 13 that year. The EP was sold as a 7" vinyl record. [5] A music video for "True Colours" was released, and "Mondo Chaos" was released in a single format. Gallows have announced the release date of their eponymous third album to be September 10, 2012. The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Spycatcher members Thomas Mitchener and Steve Sears at Watford's Broadfields Studio and will be released via the band's new label Venn Records in partnership with PIAS Recordings. The album will also be released and distributed in the United States through Bridge Nine Records. It is the first Gallows full-length to feature MacNeil on lead vocals and the second official release overall after 2011's Death Is Birth EP.

With Dooms Children

In May 2021, MacNeil teased his new psychedelic rock project Dooms Children. The first single titled "Flower Moon" was first heard on Daniel P Carter's BBC radio 1 show, aired on May 23. [6]

During an interview with Wall of Sound, MacNeil spoke about his duties in Dooms Children, stating "I've always considered myself a songwriter and a singer but just maybe in the projects that I've been involved in the most, that's not what anybody else thinks." [7]

In film

MacNeil is credited as a composer for Goon: Last of the Enforcers . After attending a Montreal Canadiens game with Jay Baruchel, MacNeil created songs for the film, that he describes as "to be all things that sound like you could turn up to 10 in an arena." [8]

In 2018 he partnered with Andrew Gordon Macpherson to create the score for the film The Ranger. [9]

In video games

MacNeil again partnered with Andrew Gordon Macpherson in 2018 to create the soundtrack to Far Cry 5's arcade mode. [10]

Equipment

MacNeil in 2011 with Gallows. Gallows 2011-11-06 13.jpg
MacNeil in 2011 with Gallows.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexisonfire</span> Canadian post-hardcore band

Alexisonfire is a Canadian post-hardcore band formed in St. Catharines, Ontario in 2001. The band's members are George Pettit (vocals), Dallas Green, Wade MacNeil, Chris Steele (bass) and Jordan Hastings. The band has won numerous awards, and in Canada their albums have all been certified either gold or platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Vitus (band)</span> American doom metal band

Saint Vitus is an American doom metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. They are considered to be one of the first doom metal bands, and have been labeled as one of the "big four" of that genre, along with Candlemass, Pentagram and Trouble. Having released nine studio albums to date, Saint Vitus never achieved a popular breakthrough, but have exerted great influence on the development of doom metal, sludge metal, and stoner rock.

<i>Watch Out!</i> (Alexisonfire album) 2004 studio album by Alexisonfire

Watch Out! is the second studio album from Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, released on June 8, 2004. The album debuted at number 6 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 6,580 copies in its first week of release, and was certified Platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saosin</span> American rock band

Saosin is an American rock band formed in 2003 in Orange County, California. The group originally consisted of Beau Burchell, Justin Shekoski, Zach Kennedy and Anthony Green. Their debut EP, Translating the Name, was released in the same year. However, Green departed from the band for personal reasons, leading to Cove Reber joining as vocalist in 2004. With Reber, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2006 under Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Pettit</span> Canadian musician (born 1982)

George Frederick Douglas Pettit is a Canadian musician best known as the lead vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. He is also currently active as the vocalist of Dead Tired.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Lungs</span> Canadian punk band

Black Lungs is a side project of Alexisonfire's guitarist and vocalist, and current Gallows frontman Wade MacNeil. MacNeil created the side project similar to his first punk rock band Plan 9, a more relaxed and melodic sound than Alexisonfire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cancer Bats</span> Canadian hardcore punk band

Cancer Bats are a Canadian hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario. To date, they have released seven studio albums and six extended plays; with their most recent LP, Psychic Jailbreak, having been released on 15 April 2022. The band is currently composed of lead vocalist Liam Cormier, drummer Mike Peters and bassist/guitarist Jaye R. Schwarzer. The band are also currently joined by touring guitarist Jackson Landry, following the departure of founding guitarist Scott Middleton in 2021. The members of Cancer Bats have also toured and recorded as a Black Sabbath tribute band under the name Bat Sabbath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gallows (band)</span> English hardcore punk band

Gallows are an English hardcore punk band from Watford, Hertfordshire. The band was formed in 2005 after Laurent Barnard's previous band disbanded. Gallows' debut album, Orchestra of Wolves, was distributed in the United States by Epitaph Records. The band were subsequently signed to Warner Bros. Records for a £1 million album contract, and released their second album Grey Britain in 2009. The band has been particularly successful in the UK, with two songs charting on the UK Single Charts, and have been featured in magazines such as Kerrang!, Alternative Press and Rolling Stone.

<i>Send Flowers</i> 2008 studio album by Black Lungs

Send Flowers is the debut album release from Black Lungs, the side project of Alexisonfire guitarist and backing vocalist Wade MacNeil. MacNeil's sound has been described as "the soundtrack for punk rockers, hip hoppers, pill poppers, young ladies and show stoppers."

<i>Grey Britain</i> 2009 studio album by Gallows

Grey Britain is the second album by English hardcore punk band Gallows, released 2 May 2009 through Warner Bros. Records. It is their last album to feature lead singer Frank Carter, and their first with guitarist Steph Carter writing and recording.

<i>Old Crows / Young Cardinals</i> Album by Alexisonfire

Old Crows / Young Cardinals is the fourth studio album from Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, released on June 23, 2009. The album was originally referred to by the shortened title of Young Cardinals, until the name change was announced on April 1, 2009.

<i>Dogs Blood</i> 2010 EP by Alexisonfire

Dog's Blood is an extended play by the Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. The EP was released on October 31, 2010. Dog's Blood is a collection of four experimental songs that are different-sounding from the band's previously released material. It was the band's penultimate release before their break up in 2011.

<i>Death Is Birth</i> 2011 EP by Gallows

Death Is Birth is an EP released by the British hardcore punk band Gallows, released 5 December 2011 through Thirty Days of Night Records. It is the band's first release with singer Wade MacNeil, formerly of Alexisonfire, who replaced original Gallows singer Frank Carter when the latter left the band in July 2011. The EP was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Joby J. Ford of The Bronx. It includes a re-recording of the track "True Colours", previously released as a free download in August 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cancer Bats discography</span>

Cancer Bats are a Canadian hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario. They have released six studio albums and six extended plays. The band is composed of vocalist Liam Cormier, guitarist Scott Middleton, drummer Mike Peters and bassist Jaye R. Schwarzer.

<i>Gallows</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Gallows

Gallows is the third album by English hardcore punk band Gallows and the first full-length to feature new lead vocalist Wade Macneil, who replaced original frontman Frank Carter in August 2011, when Carter left to form new band Pure Love. It is also the last album to feature guitarist Steph Carter.

<i>Death Letter</i> (EP) 2012 EP by Alexisonfire

Death Letter is an extended play by the Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. The EP was released on December 4, 2012. Death Letter contains songs from their entire discography reworked for acoustic guitar. Of the six songs on the EP, 4 are from their last full-length album, Old Crows/Young Cardinals. It was the band's last release before their break up, and serves as an accompaniment to their farewell tour that took place in December 2012.

<i>Desolation Sounds</i> 2015 studio album by Gallows

Desolation Sounds is the fourth album by English hardcore punk band Gallows and the second full-length to feature vocalist Wade MacNeil, who replaced original frontman Frank Carter in August 2011.

<i>Creeper</i> (EP) 2014 EP by Creeper

Creeper is the debut extended play (EP) by English rock band Creeper. Recorded in April 2014 at the Ranch Production House in Southampton with producer Neil Kennedy, it was originally released independently as a digital download on 19 June 2014. The EP was later issued on limited edition 12" vinyl by Palm Reader Records in December 2014, followed by another limited edition reissue in November 2020 by Roadrunner Records. "Gloom" and "VCR" were released as music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Familiar Drugs</span> 2019 single by Alexisonfire

"Familiar Drugs" is a single released by Canadian band Alexisonfire on 15 February 2019, their first release of original music in almost 10 years. Lead vocalist George Pettit described the song as being about "being at a point in your life where you know you can make a change yet choosing to not make that change."

<i>Otherness</i> (Alexisonfire album) 2022 studio album by Alexisonfire

Otherness is the fifth studio album by Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. The album was released on June 24, 2022, thirteen years after the release of their last full-length album, Old Crows / Young Cardinals. It is also their first album since reuniting in 2015. The album takes its name from the first single from the album released, "Sweet Dreams of Otherness", which premiered on YouTube on March 10, 2022. It peaked at No. 4 on the Canadian albums chart.

References

  1. 1 2 Added: August 8, 2004 Author: urbn Category: Interviews (August 8, 2004). "Interview with punk band alexisonfire". Truepunk.Com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ Added: September 28, 2010 Author: Apple Category: Interviews (September 28, 2010). "That Was Our Meticulous Plan". itunes.apple.com/. Retrieved August 19, 2012.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Frank Carter to quit Gallows". NME . July 9, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  4. ↑ Annie Zaleski (August 9, 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Wade MacNeil on becoming Gallows' new singer". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ Alex Hudson (November 14, 2011). "Gallows Unveil 'Death Is Birth' EP". Exclaim! Magazine . Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Wade MacNeil (Alexisonfire, Gallows) unveils new project, Dooms Children!". deadpress.co.uk. May 7, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  7. ↑ Mac, Cait (October 20, 2021). "Wade MacNeil – Dooms Children 'Raw Emotion, Rehab and Allman Brothers'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Mr. Will Wong, Toronto Entertainment Blogger". Mrwillwong.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Wade MacNeil (Alexisonfire/Gallows, Etc.) Scores New Film 'The Ranger'". Theprp.com. February 7, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Alexisonfire's Wade MacNeil Helped Create The Score For The Arcade Mode Of 'Far Cry 5'". Theprp.com. March 27, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
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