Trivium’s Matt Heafy Reveals Why Ex-Drummer Travis Smith Was Fired

In an interview with Noisecreep,  Trivium frontman Matt Heafy speaks about replacing ex-drummer Travis Smith. Smith sat out off the band’s recent “Into The Mouth Of Hell We Tour” shows  due to “personal issues.”

“We were coming to the point where the band was — not necessarily dissolving — but dissolving in creativity and maybe in live fire and energy, so we had to make a change for the positive, says Heafy.”Thankfully, we were able to find Nick, who was able to step it up and really be that guy to take us to the next level.”

He continues to say,”We told [Travis] over the phone [that we were continuing with Augusto] and it was hard for everyone involved. But I hope it’s going to be something Travis recognizes was for the better for him in years to come. For his own health and well-being as well and for our own. I heard that he’s doing very well now and that’s the best you can wish for. And we hope he does amazingly, no matter what he picks in life to do next.”

Although Augusto sat in for Smith during the most recent tour, Trivium has just recently announced that he would be Smith’s permanent replacement.

All They Want For Christmas: The Ultimate Fantasy Wish List

The musicians and industry professionals on this list have have made a living of being both Naughty and Nice, but come Christmas day we wanted to know what their ULTIMATE present(s) would be…fantasy or reality.  This is quite an eclectic mix of goodies compiled by consummate musicians and masters in the music industry, who really know their gear!

Rick Richards, Lead Guitar

The Georgia Satellites, knows what he wants and wrote back to TST saying “My absolute fantasy Christmas present would have to be a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Burst.  That is the “Holy Grail” of guitars to me.”  It is one of the most sought after guitars in the world, and was the first solid body electric guitar that Gibson ever produced.  The design base stems from the legendary Les Paul and originally sold for $250.  There were only about 1000 made from 1958-1960.

The Burst might have faded away forever, had it not become the guitar of choice for such iconic players such as Eric Clapton, Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), and blues great Mike Bloomfield.  If you can find one, which is about as likely as winning the lottery, they range in price from $200,000 to $300,000.

Wow Rick, you would have to be a REALLY GOOD BOY for Santa to bring you this beauty.   But, if he does, we can’t wait to hear you play it!

Matt Heafy, Trivium Frontman

Matt Heafy, the insanely talented Trivium frontman has been busy this year. The band has been touring non-stop, touring as part of this year’s Rockstar Tour Festival and then headlining their own tour. And now that the year is winding down Matt has a few things he’d like Santa to drop off.

“A ’57 Gold Top Les Paul Custom (all original parts). We actually were able to use our producer, Nick R.’s all original Gold Top for rhythm guitar over-dubs on our latest record, Shogun. I heard the appraisal value on that beast… you could buy a house basically. I’ve always played Les Pauls… but always newer ones and VOS (vintage original spec ones)- i’ve always wanted my own story like Springsteen on Born to Run (how he walked into a pawn shop and bought that Tele hybrid he still tours with to this day).”

“Either Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition or CODMW2 Xbox360 Pack. I’m currently still on tour, so I haven’t been able to play my copy of MW2; but, either one of the above would be pretty killer… on one hand- I already have a 360 (but want another with a bigger HDD), and the other hand… do i really need night vision goggles? probably…”

And lastly Matt added something to his list for the inner geek in all of us. “A graphic novel series better than Preacher…(fictional… doesn’t exist… and for the geeks- xoxo).”

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Matt Heafy

Branded with Fear’s Chris Green sits down with Trivium’s Matt Heafy before he took the stage at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta was the first stop on Trivium’s “Into the Mouth of Hell We Tour“.

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Trivium Hits the Road for Second Leg of Fall Tour

The second round of dates for Trivium’s fall headline tour,“Into the Mouth of Hell We Tour,” has been announced.

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