Interview with Corey Beaulieu the lead guitarist of Trivium

Interview with Corey of Trivium by Erin Bisanti of http://www.enbphotography.com

Trivium has been making waves with their latest release, “In Waves”, all over the world and are breaking new ground as a metal band. Trivium is based out of Orlando, Florida and has played local venues such as the Haven of Orlando, Club Firestone, Hard Rock Live, and House of Blues. Their recent single has landed them radio play here on our local radio station 101.1 WJRR and they hope to see this catch on all over the States.

OrlandoBands.com was able to catch with Corey Beaulieu the day before leaving for the Dream Theater and Trivium tour. We discussed everything from how Corey joined Trivium, his favorite thing about touring, and the confusing exit of founding drummer Travis Smith. So what was the rock star up to the day before heading out on tour? “Cleaning the house and doing some laundry.” Well it doesn’t get any more rock star than that.

How many bands were you in before Trivium?

I just had the basic start up of any guitarist. I was in a band with a friend, but we never really gigged around or anything. We were actually in two different bands, but it was the same people. We just played around with the sound, but Trivium was the first real serious band that I was in.

Did you audition for Trivium or were you personally asked to join the band?

When I came to Florida I saw them playing at the Haven with a bunch of other bands. This was before their “blue demo” that they did out at Audio Hammer Studios (Sanford, Florida). I liked their sound and I ended up talking to Matt’s dad about the band. They had a gig a couple weeks later at Full Sail and Matt and I started talking about guitars and music through email. Then I saw on their website that they were looking for a guitar player so I hit them up and we talked about everything we had in common. We had never really played together. I guess you can say I tried out, but I was one of the first guitarist to try and out and immediately got it.

So from the beginning the chemistry was there?

Yeah, Matt and I have always had things in common, but it took a while before we actually started playing together. I really clicked with the whole band and Matt and I clicked right away with writing. It just happened right away and then we ended up getting signed to Road Runner off the bat.

What is reaction when you read a bad review?

I don’t really keep up with that stuff. When we first came out we pretty much had fantastic reviews. Everyone seemed to dig us. We did get backlash from the other bands because we were so young, and some of the older bands hated us, but we just moved past that. As we started to put out more albums we would get a few bad reviews, but you can’t really focus on that because it is just one person’s opinion. One person says the album sucks, but he may also say that something is amazing which I think sucks. At first we would get bummed, but we would just learn that if the fans like it then great. We didn’t really care what an old guy in an office thought about it. You take it with a grain of salt and worry about more important things.

Your latest single “Built to Fall” is getting radio play here in Orlando, was radio play something that Trivium was always interested in?

When we first came out we did amazing around the world without the radio play. Our record label has always said that if we have a song for the radio send it our way. “Dying in Your Arms” (Ascendancy Album) had some radio play overseas, but we just haven’t really had that same reaction here in the States. We didn’t want to be one of those bands that just kind of forced it to get a song on the radio. With, In Waves, we just happened to have a few songs that our label said would fit on the radio, so we were happy about that. We had always wanted to have that platform to promote out music, but we just never had the songs until now. We are excited that Orlando is playing our song, but it is still in it’s early stage so hopefully it spreads.

What could you share with a band that has found their sound, but is having a hard time creating something new?

Surprisingly for us we have never really struggled with that. We luckily have three you different people who write in the band who have ideas. Paolo might come up with something new or Matt comes up with something crazy and then we just blend all of this together.

If a band is having trouble with their sound you just fucking have to try and find something that is different from what your sound is. If you are a heavier band try adding something more melodic and just always try and listen to other bands. You can listen to another band and take something that you like, but make it into your own unique style. Even if you listen to something that isn’t metal, you can even listen to dance pop and maybe a melody with pop in your head and you can turn that melody into something more metal. You have to just recognize it and keep trying something new. I have seen bands who come out with a great record, but then they keep putting out the same types of records. Then when they come out with a new record you are not excited to buy it because you feel like you have already heard it. You always have to find new ways to push yourself and stay fresh.

Would you ever be a session player?

 I like playing live with our band. I have been called up to play a few solos on people’s record which is great, but we dedicate everything to this band. We are constantly working on videos, practicing, writing, photos, interviews, and touring that we don’t really have the desire to waunder off and try something different.

Do you have a regular job outside of Trivium?

Even before Trivium I never really had a job. Even if we didn’t have money we just practiced and played all the time. Luckily we all had parents that supported us when we didn’t have any money. Luckily after busting our asses for a couple years we have actually started making the money through Trivium and be able to focus on playing and touring. In the music industry now it is harder to live off of playing music, but we have been busting our asses for around 7 years and it is nice to be able to just focus on the music.

I remember when Trivium first came out you wanted to brand everything from sunblock to Zippos, you were the young band that wanted to conquer the world. How has your band changed since the beginning to now?

I guess before it was a very youthful “take over the world” kind of thing. We said that once or twice and our record label kind of liked the enthusiasm. Now that we are older we kind of know how things work and we have that kind of quiet confidence. We no longer have to scream at the top of the mountains about what we have to do. We try and be as professional as possible on how we conduct ourselves on the road and on tour and make sure that when the people come out to see us they see the best that Trivium can do. It is not all about partying and shit. Trivium is a brand and a product and in a way a business. We have to represent that product in a professional manner and keep that standard high.

What was it like losing Travis from the band?

From a fans perspective it can be hard because they have come to know the different individuals in the band.

It was something that had to happen. I don’t think anyone ever wants it to happened especially when a band has been together for so long, but with us it needed to happen. Things were progressing in a way that nothing positive was going to happen with the current line up of Trivium. Things were getting old and boring and something had to be done. Luckily we had a drummer that had filled in while Travis had to sit out,”for reasons we were never really told”,  that had played in bands with Paolo when he was younger. We were familiar with Nick after doing a few weeks on tour with him and the whole vibe of our camp was better. We just knew that this was a great time to make a change. It wasn’t this really big pain in the ass, because we had someone to make it smoother.

Do you prefer touring or recording?

After making an album I am really excited to tour, but after a certain point on tour we start writing we get really excited about recording. At certain points you are looking forward to something new. Right now we are just really excited about touring!

What are you most looking forward to about touring at your level?

I am most looking forward to the shows. We get to tour all around the world. We get to meet people that know who we are all around the world. They only get to see us once or twice every few years and it is cool to meet them and play for those fans. Also just traveling and seeing places that you have seen in pictures and being like oh shit I am actually here.

What are you dreading about the tour?

When we first started off it was pretty brutal, crammed in a van, shitty food, no sleep, but now it isn’t as bad. Now, if you had a set up at home like a wife or a kid or something like that it definitely tests a lot of people. There has been a lot of people that spent two days on our bus and had to go home because it isn’t Led Zepplin private planes or anything. It is not just like a cake walk. It is actually a lot more work than people actually know until they do it.

Are you ever going to play “The Crusade” or “Shogun” live, ever?

[Laughs] We actually get those requests a lot. Everyone thinks that since we are playing with DreamTheater and they play 20 minute songs, that we have to play our longest shit as well. We would probably end up doing “Shogun” before “the Crusade” but that we would save for a headlining show. If we played in front of a lot of people that didn’t really who we were and busted out a 12 minute song we might lose the crowd a bit.

I wouldn’t mind The Crusade live.

 Yeah I haven’t even listened to that song in a few years. It would take a while just to learn all the little bits and pieces.

Are there any local bands you would like to give a shout out to here in Orlando?

Detoura. I know those guys. I have seen them play before and have their demos. They have a really good sound. I wanted to catch them at Firestone, but I will be out on tour.

I have seen some other good bands, but I can’t remember any of their names right now.

If you could give one piece of advise to the local scene what would it be?

The labels are signing less bands there are less spots to be on labels. You really got to make sure you have your sound down and your sound needs to stand apart from other bands. On the professional side make sure you have your heads on straight. They are more apt to signing a band that is already acting professional and that they can work with. Present yourself like you are already signed, so they take you more serious.

Fake it till you make it type thing.

Yeah they don’t want a band that is still green. Act like you know what you are doing.

What is your ultimate goal for Trivium?

Everyone in the band wants to be an Arena band. We want to be able to travel around the world and play arenas! We want to play Metal in a packed arena. It gives you goosebumps. There are not a lot of arena bands out there now-a-days, but it keeps us going and keeps us motivated to play.

You can catch Trivium with Dream Theater at the Hard Rock Live October 23^rd 2011. Pick up their latest release, “In Waves” and support your local music even if they have been able to play in front of 10,000 people once or twice before.