Former Killswitch Engage singer Jesse Leach current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz's group Times of Grace have recruited Shadows Fall's Matt Bachand to play bass on the band's upcoming trek across Europe and US dates. Times of Grace will serve as main support for Underoath on the forthcoming American trek dubbed "Illuminato(u)r."
Roadrunner sent over this background: Since Shadows Fall have toured with Killswitch Engage many times and since both bands came up together in the burgeoning Massachusetts metal scene in the early part of the '00s, it makes complete sense for Bachand to strap on the bass and step into this role. Bachand is taking over for Daniel Struble, who is unable to make the particular road trip due to personal matters he must imminently address; Struble, who was a member of KsE's one-time labelmates Five Pointe O, played bass on the band's first-ever US tour last Winter. Guitarist Joel Stroetzel, also of KsE, and drummer Dan Gluszak constitute the rest of the touring lineup for these upcoming treks. Clearly, it remains all in the family for Times of Grace.
"Losing Daniel was a blow to the Times of Grace camp, but we knew he had to do what was best for him and his family," said Leach. "Having Matt show interest in joining the touring lineup could not have been a better fit! I have been a fan of Matt's voice and guitar work for many years. I am honored and very stoked to have him join us on tour to play bass and sing backup vocals. Matt is a great guy, and someone Adam, Joel and I have all known for years. Personality-wise and as a musician, it clicks so well. I am certain Matt will add a great vibe and bring his own style to the live show!"
Bachand concurred, saying, "I am very excited to be a part of Times of Grace. Not only will it be great to get onstage with some old friends, but I am looking forward to something new musically as this role as bassist will be a very different experience from my role as guitarist of Shadows Fall."
Adam D. also weighed in on Bachand, saying, "I'll miss the crap out of Dan, but I'm so stoked to be bro-ing down with our longtime beer-swilling bassist bud Bachand. Come out to the shows and prepare to flex!"
Times of Grace's debut, The Hymn of a Broken Man, is out now.
The "Illuminato(u)r," also featuring Stray From the Path and Letlive, winds through the country for a little over a month, kicking off on July 5th in Raleigh, North Carolina and wrapping in mid-August.
7/05 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
7/06 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
7/07 Farmingdale, NY @ Crazy Donkey
7/08 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
7/10 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater
7/11 Portland, ME @ State Theater
7/12 Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights
7/13 Baltimore, MD @ Bourbon Street Ballroom
7/15 Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
7/16 Sauget, IL @ Pops
7/17 Tulsa, OK @ Brady Village (Headline Show)
7/18 Little Rock, AR @ Riverfront Pavilion
7/20 Bloomington, IL @ The Castle Theater
7/21 Toledo, OH @ Headliners
7/22 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater
7/23 Toronto, ONT @ Downsview Park
7/24 Montreal, QUE A@ Paterre Parc Jean Drapeau (Heavy MTL)
7/26 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection
7/27 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
7/28 Cedar Falls, IA @ Wheelhouse
7/29 Lawrence, KS @ Granada
7/30 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
8/01 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
8/2 Lubbock, TX @ Jake's Sports Cafe (Headline Show)
8/03 San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
8/4 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio (Headline Show)
8/05 Whitehouse, TX @ The Warehouse
8/06 Tupelo, MS @ Ballard Park/Minerva Music Fest
07 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
8/09 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown
8/10 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
8/11 Richmond, VA @ The National
8/12 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
8/13 Flint, MI @ Birch Run Expo Centre
