Before Matt Heafy became the unmistakable face of American metal titans Trivium, the band's original vocalist was Brad Lewter, who held the spot from 1999 to 2000.
A year into the band's formation, Trivium recruited the then-13-year-old Heafy, whose relentless drive would ultimately shape the group's trajectory. In a recent interview with Metal Hammer (via Guitar), Lewter shared his memories of the early days and how Heafy's determination changed the band's dynamic.
"Heafy and Travis [Smith] were really determined," Lewter recalled, referencing the founding drummer. "They'd be woodshedding, where you just sit and go over the same riff over and over again, whereas me and [founding member] Jarred [Bonaparte] had other things away from the music."
Lewter also reflected on Heafy's "laser focus" and perfectionism, as well as the hands-on involvement of Heafy's father in managing and promoting the band. "I didn't know if I wanted to be on that train," he admitted.
Ultimately, Lewter left Trivium in 2000, a decision he admits came with some later pangs of regret. "There were some regrets about hopping off when I did – seeing them on MTV or touring with Metallica – but it wasn't for me," he said. "I'm more of an introvert. I'm an animator, and so I would sit in my comfortable space in a dark room in front of a screen."
Today, Lewter has carved out a fulfilling career outside music as a professor of animation at Ithaca College. "I am still friends with Heafy and his wife on social media," he explained, "so I see the updates, and that's not the kind of life I could sustain."
And yeah it probably sucks to see your former band go on to be huge, but teaching animation and motion graphics at Ithaca College is a pretty enviable gig, too.
