Travis Smith (musician)
Encyclopedia
Travis Smith is the former drummer
in the metal band Trivium
. He was with Trivium since forming the band in 1999. Travis is best known for his very fast footwork, and intricate rhythms on the toms, a skill that has been noted several times by music magazines such as Revolver
and Modern Drummer
as well as by other media. In Metal Hammer
's Golden Gods Awards 2006, Travis received the "Best Drummer in the Universe" award.
"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," Heafy told Noisecreep. "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. We told him over the phone [that we were continuing with Augusto,] and it was hard for everyone involved," Heafy said. "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." [1]
In an interview with OneMetal.com, guitarist Corey Beaulieu added,
"...over time, things just kinda weren’t working out, and we did a headline tour of the US and about halfway through Travis just said he wasn’t going to do the next tour, so regardless we had to think about getting someone to fill in, then once we started playing with Nick we just knew it was the right thing." [1]
On the nature of Smith's dismissal from the band, Beaulieu stated
"...things were falling apart, and we just kind of pulled the trigger first, just to get it done, move forward and get the new guy settled in and comfortable. It’s been working really great with Nick and when people see the show they will see why." [1]
drum kit. He also uses Gibraltar Hardware
, ddrum electronics and Sabian
cymbals. Since January 2007 Smith has used Aquarian drumheads - Texture Coated on the tom batters, Hi-Frequency Black heads on the resonant sides and Superkick II drumheads on the bass drum batters. He also uses Ahead gloves and his own signature Ahead drum stick
s. Below is the current set-up he uses:
Drums:
Hardware:
Heads:
Cymbals:
AAX-Xtreme Chinese 19" (x2),
It is still not revealed what his full cymbal set-up is (even though he is endorsed by Sabian). But these cymbals have been seen in Trivium's music videos and live performances. Furthermore, they have also been shown on the making of the Shogun album (Special Edition) while he is recording the drum tracks.
Sticks:
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
in the metal band Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
. He was with Trivium since forming the band in 1999. Travis is best known for his very fast footwork, and intricate rhythms on the toms, a skill that has been noted several times by music magazines such as Revolver
Revolver (magazine)
Revolver is a bi-monthly rock and heavy metal magazine published by Future US. Before covering heavy metal, rock & hard rock solely, it was a more mainstream oriented magazine. The magazine is structured in a manner similar to publications such as Spin while covering many avenues within the heavy...
and Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer is a monthly publication targeting the interests of on drummers and percussionists. The magazine features interviews, equipment reviews, and columns offering advice on technique, as well as information for the general public...
as well as by other media. In Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
's Golden Gods Awards 2006, Travis received the "Best Drummer in the Universe" award.
Departure
Trivium's relationship with Smith had deteriorated over the years, and the band had no immediate plans to replace him when he announced in late October 2009 that he would be sitting out the 'Into the Mouth of Hell' tour to take care of "some personal business." It was not until after the band members started playing with Augusto on the tour that they realized the injection of new blood served Trivium well."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," Heafy told Noisecreep. "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. We told him over the phone [that we were continuing with Augusto,] and it was hard for everyone involved," Heafy said. "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." [1]
In an interview with OneMetal.com, guitarist Corey Beaulieu added,
"...over time, things just kinda weren’t working out, and we did a headline tour of the US and about halfway through Travis just said he wasn’t going to do the next tour, so regardless we had to think about getting someone to fill in, then once we started playing with Nick we just knew it was the right thing." [1]
On the nature of Smith's dismissal from the band, Beaulieu stated
"...things were falling apart, and we just kind of pulled the trigger first, just to get it done, move forward and get the new guy settled in and comfortable. It’s been working really great with Nick and when people see the show they will see why." [1]
Equipment
Smith uses a ddrumDdrum
ddrum is a division of Armadillo Enterprises, Inc. that manufactures drums, percussion, and electronic drum triggers.-Acoustic drums:ddrum is a sister company to Dean guitars and produces drums that fall into one of several series, each following a motif of beginning with the letter "d" and grouped...
drum kit. He also uses Gibraltar Hardware
Gibraltar Hardware
Gibraltar Hardware is a maker of drumset and percussion hardware. It's most famed for making drumset frames and cages, but it also makes everything from hi-hat stands to drumset thrones...
, ddrum electronics and Sabian
Sabian (company)
Sabian is a Canadian cymbal designer and manufacturer. It is a leading manufacturer of cymbals along with other top companies such as Zildjian, Paiste, and Meinl.-History:...
cymbals. Since January 2007 Smith has used Aquarian drumheads - Texture Coated on the tom batters, Hi-Frequency Black heads on the resonant sides and Superkick II drumheads on the bass drum batters. He also uses Ahead gloves and his own signature Ahead drum stick
Drum stick
A percussion mallet is an object used to beat drums and other percussion instruments. Some specialized mallets are called beaters, drumsticks.Note: See Rute .-Drum sticks:...
s. Below is the current set-up he uses:
Drums:
- Two 20"x24" Kick drums
- 7"x8" Tom Tom
- 8"x10" Tom Tom
- 9"x12" Tom Tom
- 10"x14" Tom Tom
- 16"x16" Floor Tom
- 16"x18" Floor Tom
- 7"x14" Snare Drum
- 6", 8", 22", 24" Acrylic Deccabons
- Ddrum Precision Cast Mesh Pad
- Ddrum 4SE Module
Hardware:
- Gibraltar: drum rack and a lot of other hardware and components. He also uses two single Iron Cobra pedals,each attached to a bass drum.
Heads:
- Aquarian (see specs above)
Cymbals:
- Sabian: AAX Stage Hats 14",
- AAX X-Plosion Crash 17 & 19",
- HH Power Bell Ride 22",
- Paragon Chinese 19",
AAX-Xtreme Chinese 19" (x2),
- HHX Evolution O-Zone Crash 20",
- HHX Evolution O-Zone Crash 18".
It is still not revealed what his full cymbal set-up is (even though he is endorsed by Sabian). But these cymbals have been seen in Trivium's music videos and live performances. Furthermore, they have also been shown on the making of the Shogun album (Special Edition) while he is recording the drum tracks.
Sticks:
- Ahead Signature