more on Three Days Grace

Okay, this is from March 20 of this year.

So its not too old.

But its not too current.

The alternative metal band Three Days Grace has sold millions of records around the world by writing hit song after hit song.

Just where are these dark, brooding and booming tunes penned?

In Canada. In rural Ontario, to be specific. Around a campfire.

"For us to get away from the city and go somewhere secluded, it's almost natural for us," explained Three Days Grace bass player Brad Walst. "We get distracted in the city. It's better if we just go out to a little cabin with acoustic guitars and just write. It's much more creative."

Chart-toppers like "I Hate Everything About You," "Animal I Have Become" and "Pain" were all crafted by the four members of 3DG as they sat secluded in the Canadian wilderness. It's really not too strange of a concept if you get to know the members of the band.

"I think it works for us because we grew up just playing acoustics around a camp fire," Walst added.

To trace the roots of 3DG, one must look to the tiny town of Norwood, Ontario, Canada (pop. 1,300). That's where Walst and 3DG lead screamer Adam Gontier first met as teenagers. Post-high school, the men gathered two more musicians and traded Norwood for Toronto to began a music career that has found them performing to audiences around the world.

"We've been to Australia, Brazil and Japan. Those shows stick out in my mind because it seemed so abnormal to go overseas and play our music. Brazil, it's insane over there."

But the band infrequently takes promoters up on their offers to perform in foreign lands. Why? Because in America and Canada, the band is way too in demand.

"It's been nonstop pretty much since April of '06," the 31 year old said of the band's current tour, one that stops in Sioux City on Tuesday. "Two years go by like that. You feel like you've been in a time warp."

While the years are flying by for the band's members, fans may think 3DG is going about things slowly. Since the group's first record hit stores in 2003, the musicians have followed with only one more album -- 2006's "One-X."

"It's not something we want to rush. On 'One-X' we didn't rush. There are some people in the business who want to get it out as quick as possible, but you can't rush creativity. In the end, nobody is going to argue with you if you're just trying to get it right."

Plus, why hustle into the studio when life on the road is sort of a fun family affair? Opening for 3DG this tour are fellow alt-metal bands Seether and Breaking Benjamin.

"We've done almost 100 shows with Breaking Benjamin. We're tight. It's like a family. Same with Seether. Everybody gets along really well and it's nice to be out a tour like that."

When the tour finally comes to a close in two weeks, Walst said, after some down time, himself, Gontier, drummer Neil Sanderson and guitarist Barry Stock will once again head into the studio. This time, the pre-recording writing sessions more than likely won't take place in the wilds of Canada. The men will probably write tracks at Walst's new home.

Walst is the new proud owner of Applewood, the name of a "big piece" of property in Norwood he shares with his lady, his 16-month-old son and 80 apple trees.

"There's a big loft in the garage and the plan is to turn it into a band room."

Why the move back home from Toronto?

"We've been living in Toronto for about 12 years, and I found every time I came home from the road I just couldn't relax. I guess I'm just a country boy at heart."