Saint Asonia
Saint Asonia (stylized as SΔINT ΔSONIΔ) 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.
Saint Asonia | |
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![]() The band's lead vocalist Adam Gontier in 2015. | |
Background information | |
Also known as | SΔINT ΔSONIΔ |
Origin | Toronto, Canada |
Genres | |
Years active | 2015–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts | |
Website | saintasonia |
Members |
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Past members |
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History
The band released their first teaser early May 2015, which featured the fact that "25 Top Ten Rock Singles" were shared between each member, 17 of which are number ones, and teased the band's first single, logo and clips of the band, speculation believed that the line up would consist of ex-Three Days Grace singer Adam Gontier, former Staind guitarist Mike Mushok, former Finger Eleven drummer Rich Beddoe, and former Dark New Day bassist Corey Lowery, however, nothing was confirmed until May 16 when the band officially released their first single titled "Better Place", confirming the band's line up in the process.[4][5] When asked about the title of the band, Gontier stated that they are "...more like refugees that just hit it off creatively". Johnny K was secured as the producer for their debut album, which was released on July 31, 2015, along with tour announcements.[5]
The band made their debut live performance at Rock on the Range as the opening act for the main stage on May 16, and were billed as a special guest.[3] Along with their first single, the band performed other original songs such as "Fairy Tale", "Dying Slowly" and "Let Me Live My Life", but also performed cover songs of Three Days Grace, such as "I Hate Everything About You" and songs from Mushok's past band, Staind, like "Mudshovel" and "For You". The band announced that their debut self-titled album would be released on July 31 that same year via RCA Records featuring 11 tracks.[6] The band released their second single, "Blow Me Wide Open", on June 29.[7] Saint Asonia booked a short headlining tour in August 2015, as well as a tour with Seether in the fall of 2015.[8] In February 2016, Saint Asonia joined the first part of the 2016 Disturbed tour, as an opening act.[9]
On May 2, 2016, Saint Asonia released a cover of the Phil Collins song, "I Don't Care Anymore",[10] which was later released in the iTunes Store on May 6, 2016.[11]
On June 5, 2017, drummer Rich Beddoe confirmed that he had left Saint Asonia on good terms to do other things. On July 12, 2017, the band played their first show with Mike Mushok's former Staind bandmate Sal Giancarelli on drums. Lowery departed the band during the summer of 2018 to join Seether full-time and was replaced by Art of Dying bassist and Gontier's cousin Cale Gontier. On February 21, 2019, Saint Asonia announced that they signed with Spinefarm Records and that a follow-up album to their self-titled album was in the works.[12]
On July 24, 2019, the band revealed their single "The Hunted" featuring Sully Erna. The album title was revealed as Flawed Design in interviews conducted immediately after the release of the single. Two months later on September 20, 2019, Saint Asonia released "Beast" and announced the release date of the album.
Flawed Design became available worldwide on October 25, 2019.[13]
On January 26, 2020, it was announced by Adam Gontier that Art of Dying drummer Cody Watkins had joined the band as their new drummer replacing Sal Giancarelli. Cody Watkins was a founding member of Totally Ghey Nu-Metal, a Canadian-American comedy band based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Band members
Current members
Former members
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Timeline
![](../I/m/ec8f2cfa14098a83bf2592e59eaeac1f.png)
Discography
Saint Asonia discography | |
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Studio albums | 2 |
Music videos | 3 |
Singles | 4 |
Studio albums
Title | Year | US [14] |
CAN [15] |
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Saint Asonia | 2015 | 29 | 9 |
Flawed Design | 2019 | 171 | 68 |
Singles
Title | Year | US Main. [16] |
CAN Rock |
Album |
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"Better Place"[5] | 2015 | 8 | 4[17] | Saint Asonia |
"Let Me Live My Life" | 10 | 6 | ||
"The Hunted" (featuring Sully Erna) |
2019 | 7 | 27 | Flawed Design |
"Blind" | 2020 | 22 | — |
Promotional singles
Title | Year | Album |
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"Blow Me Wide Open" | 2015 | Saint Asonia |
"Fairy Tale" | ||
"Trying to Catch Up with the World" | ||
"I Don't Care Anymore" | 2016 | N/A |
"Beast" | 2019 | Flawed Design |
"This August Day" | ||
Music videos
Title | Year | Album | Director(s) |
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"Better Place"[18] | 2015 | Saint Asonia | P. R. Brown and Adam Gontier |
"Fairy Tale"[19] | 2017 | ||
"The Hunted" | 2019 | Flawed Design | |
Awards
Loudwire Music Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
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2015 | Saint Asonia | Best New Artist | Won |
References
- James Christopher Monger. "Saint Asonia - Saint Asonia". AllMusic.
- "Let There Be Rock School's Zombie Kids to rock PPL Park Saturday". Delaware County Daily Times. October 8, 2015.
- Daly, Joe. "Rock on the Range 2015 Day Two". Metal Hammer. TeamRock. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- "Is Saint Asonia Rock's Next Supergroup?". Loudwire.com. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
- Childers, Chad. "Saint Asonia Reveal Official Lineup, Lead Single 'Better Place'". Loudwire. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
- "Saint Asonia Announces Debut Album Release Date". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
- Bowar, Chad. "Saint Asonia unleash new single 'Blow Me Wide Open'". Loudwire. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- "Seether And Saint Asonia Touring Together/". Audioinkradio.com. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
- "Disturbed Announce 2016 Canadian Tour With Saint Asonia + Age of Days". Loudwire. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "Saint Asonia". Retrieved June 7, 2016 – via Facebook.
- "I Don't Care Anymore - Single by Saint Asonia on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
- "SAINT ASONIA SIGN GLOBAL DEAL WITH SPINEFARM RECORDS". Retrieved September 6, 2019 – via Spinefarm Records.
- Bailey, James. "Saint Asonia – Flawed Design". Retrieved November 19, 2019 – via Brutal Planet Magazine.
- "Saint Ansonia Chart History: Billboard 200".
- "Saint Andonia Chart History: Billboard Canadian Albums".
- "Saint Asonia Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- "Blind": "Mainstream Rock Songs: May 2, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- "Canadian Active Rock of July 4, 2015". Americasmusiccharts. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
- "Video Premiere: Saint Asonia's 'Better Place'". Blabber Mouth. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- Aegerter, Karen (June 30, 2017). "Saint Asonia Take a Virtual Reality Trip With 'Fairytale' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved April 7, 2018.