Founded in 2001, Theory of a Deadman is a rock band that is based out of Delta, British Columbia. Signed to Roadrunner Records and 604 Records, this Canadian group has so far had a total of eight Top 10 US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Track hits. This includes their two #1 hits on this chart, entitled “Lowlife” and “Bad Girlfriend.”
Members of the band are Dave Brenner, Dean Back, Tyler Connolly, and Joey Dandeneau.
How Theory of a Deadman Started
When Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger began 604 Records in 2001, Theory of a Deadman became the first act to sign with them. Their self-titled debut album was released in September 2002. The name of the band comes from one of the songs on their first album, which is about a man who was prepping for his own suicide.
After the song’s release, the track would be renamed “The Last Song” to avoid confusion with the band name.
The Gasoline Era of Theory of a Deadman
Gasoline was the second album released by the Canadian rockers, hitting shelves on March 29, 2005. The band then began a promotional tour with The Exies and Breaking Benjamin. The music from the album helped to propel the band into the mainstream, with songs from Gasoline appearing on video games and in World Wrestling Entertainment promotions.
During the era, Theory of a Deadman also toured with No Address and Shinedown.
“No Surprise” would be the top performing single off the album, peaking at #8 on the US main chart and at #24 on the US alternative chart. “Say Goodbye,” “Santa Monica,” and “Hello Lonely” would all be Top 30 hits for the band.
Scars and Souvenirs with Theory of a Deadman
In 2008, Dave Brenner and Theory of a Deadman released their third album called Scars and Souvenirs. Eight singles would eventually be released from this album, with guest vocalists including Robin Diaz and Christ Daughtry on some of the track.
This would be the album that would send the band toward even more fame as it had their first #1 Billboard hit. Throughout 2008, Brenner and the band would perform during the Grey Cup halftime show, be part of Crue Fest 2, and have them make an appearance at the Juno Awards that year.
In 53 weeks, Scars and Souvenirs would be their first album that would be certified gold for having sales reach 500,000 copies in the United States. It would also achieve a #1 peak position on the US Billboard hard rock albums chart and reach #2 on the Canadian albums chart.
Theory of a Deadman and The Truth Is Era
The fourth album from Dave Brenner and Theory of a Deadman was recorded in 2010 and released in the summer of 2011. Called The Truth Is… the highlight of this album was “Lowlife,” the first single released. It would become the band’s second #1 hit.
With the fourth album released, Theory of a Deadman would use the year to work with Alter Bridge as co-headliners of the Carnival of Madness Tour. They would also be asked to contribute a song to the Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon soundtrack that year. Two additional singles were released from the album, but did not perform as well as “Lowlife.”
The Truth Is… would be a #1 album for the band on the Billboard rock, alternative, and hard rock album charts. It would also be a #2 digital album and reach #8 on the Billboard 200.
Savages, Angel, and a Change for Theory of a Deadman
In 2014, the fifth album released from the band would be Savages. Although the singles from this album underperformed for Brenner and company compared to previous albums, their song “Panic Room” would be used by World Wrestling Entertainment for one of their pay-per-view promotions that year. “Angel” would obtain a peak chart position at #2 in the United States, while peaking at #33 for the Canadian rock charts.
Although the singles for Savages did not perform as well, the album would reach #1 on both the Alternative and Hard Rock album charts. It would peak at #8 in the Billboard 200.
The following year brought some changes to Dave Brenner and Theory of a Deadman. They released their first acoustic EP in 2015, called Angel. The EP contains a cover of a Tove Lo song and then four covers of their own work from past albums.
Dave Brenner and Theory of a Deadman have a sixth studio album planned for 2017 and their latest releases are covers of “Shape of My Heart” and “Cold Water.”