Interview with Brandan Schieppati of Bleeding Through & a Chance to Win Tickets to Their Farewell Tour

Bleeding Through will be playing their final Detroit show on their final tour this Friday. We had the amazing opportunity to talk to lead vocalist Brandan Schieppati about the last 15 years, the gym he opened three years ago in California called Rise Above Fitness, and why the band decided to call it quits after such a great run. I find it inspiring to see a band stick to their guns for 15 years and calls it quits on their own terms. Bands like this seem to be a dying bread and remembering how much hardcore music/metal once meant to me reminded me of another time, a time I cant wait to relive with this band for one last night. Being someone who is also into working out, I can relate to fitness being Brandan’s life these days. But, I have to say I was a little surprised when he told me he listens to EDM during his workouts, times are changing aren't they.

Hip In Detroit- After almost 15 years why is Bleeding Through calling it quits?
Brandan- "Bleeding Through was always an all or nothing band that sacrificed everything to tour and create music. Life just happened. We got older and people started having kids and other businesses and responsibilities changed. We never got to a point with the band where we made "support a family" kind of money. We always were a medium sized band. So we can't dedicate what needs to be put forth to do the band full time. So like I said "all or nothing" hahaha"

Hip In Detroit- When Bleeding Through hit the scene in '99 hardcore music was huge, especially on the West Coast. Since then a lot of bands have faded away or broken up, how did you guys manage to keep going and stay relevant for so long?
Brandan- "We always kept it into perspective. We never wanted to be a huge rockstar band. So our expectation was just to do what we do and have fun. I think that is what kept us going. We are a real band."

Hip In Detroit- How do you think your music has changed and grown over the last three albums? Do you have a favorite? Why or why not?
Brandan- "I think it's just been a reflection of what the band was feeling emotionally at the time for each record that's why they all carry their own vibe and feeling. I think we always continued to grow as musicians and understood what we were and didn't try to be something we weren't. As for the last 3 records I like Declaration the most and is my favorite BT record. Followed by The Great Fire and the self titled."

Hip In Detroit- You are famous for your parking lot gyms on tour, where did you get this idea? How do you motivate yourself to wake up and workout instead of falling into the usual tour/party lifestyle?
Brandan- "Working out has gotten me through my music career. Working out is my alone time and sanity away from the rigors of tour. If I didn't workout I would fall apart. The two have gone hand in hand all of my life."

Hip In Detroit- Straight Edge kids seem to be a dying breed, any advice to someone considering this lifestyle? After so many years living a clean life what does Edge mean to you today?
Brandan- "Honestly Straightedge is a personal choice. I feel that most people that are looking at Straightedge from the outside now see it as something negative because of the violence that is attached to it. I've always seen it as positive cause, it helped me through my life. I always made the the choice for myself and not for a click. My advice would to be if you are going to make that choice, do it for your own well being and happiness."

Hip In Detroit- Where do you hope to be in 5 years? Will you be making music or devoting your life to the gym and fitness?
Brandan- "My gym and fitness company has been around for 3 years now and my hope is that in 5 years I will grow that bigger and open more gyms and inspire people through Fitness. I will always play music but Fitness is my life now."

Hip In Detroit- Fav bands to listen to while working out?
Brandan- "As for bands to many but as for genres. Black Metal, Hardcore, even EDM"

Hip In Detroit- Any regrets over the last 15 years?
Brandan- "I've made a lot of personal mistakes over the last 15 years but as for regrets with this band? Yes. I wish we didn't let so many people have a say in what we created."

Hip In Detroit- Can we expect anything special this Friday since it will be your last time touring in Detroit? Any memories of Detroit shows from the past that you would like to share?
Brandan- "As for special things Friday. We will just be Bleeding Through one more time. We never had any shenanigans we were just us and that's what we will be one more time. I'll be sharing stories on stage though."

Hip In Detroit- Anything else you would like our readers to know?
Brandan- "We love you."

Bleeding Through will be playing this Friday, November 8th at The Majestic Theatre alongside Winds of Plague, Oceano, Gideon, and Sworn In. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 at the door. The Majestic is located at 4120 Woodward in Detroit and doors for the show open at 6 p.m.

Our friends over at Black Iris Booking have given us permission to add one special reader to the guest list with a plus one. To enter, email us at hipindetroit@gmail.com. We will email one person back early on Friday and they will be able to come see Bleeding Through one last time.

~S