Hailing from the small town of Norwood, Ontario, Walst, whose older brother Brad plays bass for fellow countryman Three Days Grace, counts Nirvana, A Perfect Circle, and Nickelback as influences. Coincidentally, Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger signed the group to his own 604 Records in 2009, resulting in the release of the group's first single, “Porn Star Dancing.” My Darkest Days released their eponymous debut album the following year. The album propelled the band onto both the U.S. and Canadian Billboard charts, topping out at 12 and 11, respectively. Not wanting to lose momentum, My Darkest Days got back to work on new material, releasing the single "Casual Sex" in early 2012 before following up with their second album, Sick and Twisted Affair, later that year. ~ James Christopher Monger