My Darkest Days might not be a household name today, but back in 2010, their song ‘Porn Star Dancing’ made an impact on the rock charts. The track became a party anthem with a mix of hard rock, hip-hop, and metal. It also featured big names like Chad Kroeger, Ludacris, and Zakk Wylde. But how did this song come to life, and what happened to the band afterward?
Who Were My Darkest Days?
My Darkest Days was a Canadian rock band from Peterborough, Ontario. The group was led by Matt Walst (vocals) and included Brendan McMillan (bass), Doug Oliver (drums), Sal Costa (guitar), and Reid Henry (keyboard). Matt decided to start his own band instead of joining his older brother Brad Walst in Three Days Grace.
My Darkest Days caught the attention of Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger in 2009. He then signed them to his label, 604 Records. The band quickly got to work, and the first song they wrote after signing was ‘Porn Star Dancing.’
The Story Behind ‘Porn Star Dancing’
The single dropped on June 21, 2010. It was three months before their self-titled debut album, which came out on September 21, 2010. The song was a high-energy rock track about a pole dancer. It’s filled with heavy guitar riffs and a club-like vibe.
The track did well on the charts and spent 26 weeks on Billboard’s Rock Songs chart, where it peaked at #7 on December 11, 2010. It performed even better on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and hit #1 for two weeks.
Chad Kroeger wasn’t just the guy who signed My Darkest Days — he also had a verse in the song and appeared in the music video. His presence gave the band a strong Nickelback connection. This helped get them attention.
The Music Video and Guest Appearances
The ‘Porn Star Dancing’ music video was filmed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino’s Vanity nightclub in Las Vegas. The video wasn’t just about My Darkest Days — it also included two major guest stars:
- Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, ex-Ozzy Osbourne) played the lead guitar solo on the track.
- Ludacris was featured in a remixed version of the song originally made for the Canadian release. His verse later became part of the mainstream version due to the song’s success.
How the Album Was Received
‘Porn Star Dancing’ was a hit but the rest of My Darkest Days’ debut album didn’t get the same level of attention. Some listeners compared the band’s sound to Nickelback and Linkin Park, but many felt it lacked originality.
The album also included a cover of Duran Duran’s ‘Come Undone,’ but it wasn’t well received. ‘Porn Star Dancing’ remained their most famous track despite some negative reviews.
What Happened to My Darkest Days?
My Darkest Days broke up when Matt Walst joined Three Days Grace as their new lead singer in 2013. His older brother, Brad, was already the band’s bassist.
My Darkest Days is no longer active, but their social media accounts are still online.
