Ex-THREE DAYS GRACE Singer ADAM GONTIER Recalls When He Knew SAINT ASONIA Was A Band

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SAINT ASONIA, the new act featuring ex-THREE DAYS GRACE frontman Adam Gontier and STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok, started out as just Gontier and Mushok writing music together with no plans beyond that. But Gontier told The Pulse Of Radio that the moment arrived when they knew SAINT ASONIA could be a band. "When we got into the studio to record a couple of songs, we recorded three songs, and when they were done, I think that was probably the moment where we were like, 'Okay, so we've just recorded three songs, they turned out really good, we have another 10, let's do this,'" he said. "Obviously, Mike being basically on hiatus from STAIND for who knows how long, it just seemed to make sense."

SAINT ASONIA also includes STUCK MOJO and DARK NEW DAY bassist Corey Lowery and FINGER ELEVEN drummer Rich Beddoe. The band recently released its first single, "Better Place", and will issue its debut album this summer.

Asked about calling the band a "supergroup," Gontier said, "We're more like refugees that just really hit it off creatively."

The group played its first live show at Rock On The Range in Columbus, Ohio two weeks ago.

Mushok told the Boise, Idaho radio station 100.3 The X Rocks about SAINT ASONIA's forthcoming debut album: "I'm super proud of the way the record came out. I think it definitely exceeded what we were trying to accomplish; we definitely did it. I mean, the record kind of runs the gamut — there's some pretty heavy stuff, and there's a couple of songs on there that are just beautiful songs."

SAINT ASONIA's CD was helmed by acclaimed rock producer Johnny K, who has previously worked with DISTURBED, MEGADETH, STAIND and SEVENDUST, among others.

Gontier has kept a low profile since leaving THREE DAYS GRACE in December 2012. The band replaced him with Matt Walst and recently released a new album called "Human".

Mushok's band, STAIND, has not released new music since 2011 and as of last December had no plans to return to the studio. Mushok played briefly in 2013 with ex-METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted in his self-named band.

Beddoe exited FINGER ELEVEN in late 2013. The Canadian act recorded a new album late last year but release details are yet to be announced.

Lowery's resume includes stints with STUCK MOJO, SWITCHED, STEREOMUD, DARK NEW DAY and most recently EYE EMPIRE.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn