Neil Sanderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neil Sanderson
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Sanderson in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Neil Christopher Sanderson |
| Born | December 17, 1978 Peterborough, Ontario, Canada |
| Origin | Peterborough, Ontario, Canada |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
Neil Christopher Sanderson (born December 17, 1978) is a Canadian musician. He is famous for being the drummer, backing vocalist, keyboardist, and a co-founder of the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. He looks up to drummers like John Bonham, Danny Carey, and Stewart Copeland. Neil is also a co-founder of Judge and Jury Records, an American record label, which he started with record producer Howard Benson.
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Early life and band beginnings
Neil Sanderson was born on December 17, 1978, in Peterborough, Canada. He started playing the piano even before he began school. Neil loved music and tried out different instruments when he was in elementary school. He became very interested in drums and started playing them when he was 12 years old.
In 1992, he went to Norwood District High School. Before that, he attended Adam Scott C.V.I High School in Peterborough. There, he met Adam Gontier when they were both in grade 9. With bassist Brad Walst, they practiced writing songs and playing instruments together. They formed a band called "Groundswell" with Phil Crowe and Joe Grant.
Sanderson also played drums for the band Thousand Foot Krutch from 1995 to 1997. Later, in 1997, Groundswell changed its name and became Three Days Grace.
Music career with Three Days Grace
As "Three Days Grace," the band performed many concerts in Toronto. Eventually, they signed a recording contract with an American record label called Jive Records. The band's first album, also called Three Days Grace, came out in 2003. Four songs from this album became popular hits: "I Hate Everything About You", "Just Like You", "Home" and "Wake Up". The first two songs reached number one on the Canadian rock chart and the US Rock chart. The album sold enough copies to be certified platinum in both Canada and the United States.
The band released their second album, One-X, in 2006. This album reached number five on the US Billboard 200 chart. Four songs from One-X were released as singles: "Animal I Have Become", "Pain", "Never Too Late" and "Riot". The first three of these songs hit number one on the US Mainstream Rock chart. One-X has been certified triple platinum in Canada and the United States, meaning it sold millions of copies. In 2006, Three Days Grace won the Rock Single of the Year at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards.
Neil Sanderson was very excited about the success of Three Days Grace. During their 2008 tour, he mentioned how they could now add more exciting things to their stage shows, like lights and special effects. He also noted that the fans who supported them from the beginning were still there. He said that fans sing along to album songs just as much as the singles, showing that people want to hear "real stuff."
In 2009, the band released their third album, Life Starts Now. It reached number three on the US Billboard 200. In 2012, they released their fourth album, Transit of Venus. After Matt Walst became the new lead singer, replacing Adam Gontier, the band released Human in 2015, Outsider in 2018, and Explosions in 2022.
Other projects and collaborations
Sanderson, along with Canadian songwriter Casey Marshall, helped run an artist development company called Püblicwürks. This company helped new artists and worked on songwriting. Neil co-wrote popular songs like "Get By" and "Hell Raisin' Good Time" for country singer Tim Hicks. He was even nominated for Songwriter of the Year at an awards show in 2014.
Neil Sanderson is also the co-founder of Judge & Jury Records, a record label he started with producer Howard Benson. In 2021, he produced an album called American Dream for the musician DIAMANTE. He also performed at a live event called "#UnpluggedTogether" to help raise money for a therapy program called Healing in Harmony. In 2022, he produced the album Shockwave for The Standstills and the song "Waiting on the Sky to Change" by Starset. Sanderson also helped produce songs for other bands, like "Snake" and "Christ" for Left to Suffer's 2023 EP. In December 2023, he released his first solo song, "Eventually," through Judge and Jury Records. He had performed this song earlier at the "#UnpluggedTogether" event in 2021. Neil also produced "Time Bomb" by Saliva and "Sincerity" by Butcher Babies.
Musicianship and equipment
Drum kit and gear
Neil Sanderson uses a Yamaha drum kit when he performs. His drum setup includes a double-bass drum, Sabian Artisan cymbals, and Evans drumheads. He also uses a Yamaha DTX Multi12 sample pad to add different sounds. For drumsticks, he uses Vic Firth brand sticks. A newer part of his setup is the ButtKicker Concert sub-bass monitoring system, which helps him feel the bass vibrations. In the past, when recording the album One-X, Sanderson used Zildjian cymbals.
Personal life
In 2003, Neil Sanderson married his wife, Janin. They have a daughter named Violet, a son named Jet, and an adopted daughter named Raven. In March 2024, he led the 21st annual St. Patrick's Day parade in his hometown.
Helping others
Sanderson joined The Herbie Fund charity in 2007. He met the president of Operation Herbie, Liisa Palokoski, and became involved. He also started his own charity fund called "Herbie Rocks" to support the cause.
Discography
Neil Sanderson has worked as a producer and songwriter on the Three Days Grace discography. He has also created music released through his label, Judge and Jury Records, and contributed to many other music projects.
See also
In Spanish: Neil Sanderson para niños
