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James Alan Hetfield (Best known as Jaymz)
Instrument: Vocals, guitar
Specialty: Angst-ridden, soul-rending, growling, loud-ass vocals
Birthday: August 3, 1963
From: Los Angeles, California
Vitals: 6'1" & 180 lbs (1.85 meters & 81.65 kilos); blond hair & blue eyes
Drives: Chevy Blazer, Dodge Ram, '55 Chevy BelAir
Food: Mexican, meat-n-potatoes, Bar-B-Que, Oysters
Sports teams: Oakland Raiders, San Jose Sharks, D.C. United
Before Metallica: Played in Obsession, Leather Charm
Pre-Metallica career: Worked in sticker printing factory
Likes: Hunting, hot-rods, anonymity, snowboarding, street hockey, wave boarding, cigars, choppers, guns, wood work
Listens to: Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Spegetti, Western Soundtracks
Heroes: Clint Eastwood, Pops Hetfield
First concert: Aerosmith & AC/DC, 1978, Long Beach, California
Movies: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Easy Rider, Sling Blade, Pulp Fiction, Vanishing Point
Describes self as: Rugged, honest, stubborn
What equipment does James use?
James uses ESP Explorer guitar's with EMG pick ups and Ernie Ball strings, and a Mesa Boogie mark II simul-class amp. James uses many different guitar/amp combos for different sounds in the studio.
What happened to James' hair between the Roam tour and the summer 1994 tour? And what happened in 1996?
In '94, James was involved in an ATV accident while hunting which required 40 stitches in his head--so he quite simply got it cut.... Before the release of Load, James decided to get his hair cut, and this time even more of it went!
Where did James get his skull ring and wolf pendant?
The ring formerly belonged to Cliff. The pendant is from a store called The Great Frog in London (the same place Cliff got the ring).
Has James ever recorded for anyone besides Metallica?
James has recorded backing vox for "Twist of Cain" and "Am I Demon?" on Danzig's first album & C.O.C. "Man or Ash" on Wiseblood.
Why did James get burned at the Montreal show (Aug. 8, 1992)?
The band was informed of a pyro change: pyro would be ignited along the "wings" of the stage during "Fade To Black." The pyro-tech however, failed to tell the band that new pyro would be going along with the old pyro. Assuming that the new pyro canceled out the previous pyro, James was standing exactly where the old pyro occurred when a 12-foot flame was ignited, severely burning the left side of his body.
Why did James switch from the Flying V to the Explorer?
The Explorer used to be James' back up guitar. When the V's neck broke, he switched to his back up guitar, only to discover that the Explorer was perfect, but he's back on the "V" again also.
The liner notes say: James--guitar; and Kirk--guitar. What does James play?
James is responsible for the great majority of the guitar work in Metallica's recordings. James handles all the rhythm guitar and most melody and harmony guitars, not to mention the acoustics and the occasional guitar solo.
Kirk's duties on the albums are mostly for the full-blown lead guitar solos. However, on Load, the guitar duties for James and Kirk have expanded quite a bit--both play rhythm and leads.
What is James' favorite Venom album?
Welcome to Hell.
What does James do in his free time?
James is an avid hunter.
Who were his main influences?
Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Ted Nugent.
Does James still skateboard?
No, but rumors abound that past tour contracts have included a "No Skateboarding" clause, just in case. He has recently taken to snowboarding--apparently it has a slightly softer landing.
"Live to win, dare to fail."
--James Hetfield
Kirk Lee Hammett
Instrument: Guitar
Specialty: Kick-ass, full-blown lead guitar vocals
Birthday: November 18, 1962
From: San Francisco, California
Vitals: 5'8" & 134 lbs (1.7 meters & 60.78 kilos); brown hair & brown eyes
Drives: Land Cruiser, mountain bike, '55 Dodge Coronet
Drinks: Martinis, Sky Vodka, green tea
Eats: Sushi, Mexican food, pasta, Indian food, Thai food, and is also an avid vegetarian.
Sports teams: None ("I hate sports!")
Before Metallica: Played in Exodus, drank a lot
Likes: Mountain biking, tattoos, piercing, collecting old horror-movie stuff, cigars, philosophy, H.P. Lovecraft, Taxidermy, Pinball
Listens to: Jimi Hendrix, UFO, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple. Led Zeppelin, Kiss, John Coltrane, Gout, Mule, Chet Baker, Prez Prado, AIC, David Bowie, U2, King Crimson, Robert Johnson, Radiohead
Heroes: Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Jimi Hendrix, Chet Baker, Diane Arbus, John Coltrane, Charles Bukowski, Edward Munch, Joel Peter Whitkin
First concert: Day on the Green with the Eagles, Steve Miller, Heart, and Foreigner
Describes self as: Smelly, ugly, happy, obsessive, progressive, curious
What guitar equipment does Kirk use?
Various ESP, along with various vintage guitars, and Dean Markely strings. Mesa Boogie amp.
Has Kirk recorded for anyone besides Metallica?
Kirk's old Exodus demos have been seen floating around, and he has also recorded a track with Les Claypool and Mike Bordin set for possible future release (by Primus?). He also produced demos for Death Angel, and he has also recorded solos for Pushead's band, Septic Death.
The liner notes say: James--guitar, and Kirk--guitar. What does Kirk do?
Kirk's duties on the albums are mostly for the full-blown lead guitar solos. On Load, Kirk's role as guitar player has expanded to playing a more important role in the overall sound. He plays rhythm guitar as well.
What does like to do in his off time?
Kirk Hammett likes to mountain bike and collect horror movie stuff, along with piercing assorted body parts. He likes to buy clothes and hats, relax, have a cigar and drink a martini with friends, while having good conversation.
Does Kirk have a tattoo?
Kirk's tattoo was a present to himself for Christmas 1995. It reads: "Made in SF 11-18-62." It's wrapped around his belly button. He also has Hot Rod flames on his hips.
Who does he credit as his influences?
Jimi Hendrix, UFO, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, and Joe Satriani.
"A life lived unexplored is a life not worth living."
--Kirk Hammett
Lars Ulrich
Instrument: Drums
Specialty: Pounding, driving rhythms
Birthday: December 26, 1963
From: Gentofte, Denmark
Vitals: 5'7" & 130 lbs (1.7 meters & 58.97 kilos); blond/brown hair & green eyes
Drives: Porsche, Chevy Blazer, Range Rover, Saab
Drinks: Dry white wine, Evian, tea
Eats: French food, tuna, sushi, frozen yogurt
Sports teams: San Jose Sharks, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Before Metallica: None
Pre-Metallica career: Paper boy, gas station attendant
Likes: Scuba diving, skiing, movies, fashion, art
Listens to: Oasis, AIC, Black Grape
Heroes: Guillermo Vilas (Argentinian tennis player), Ritchie Blackmore, Ace Frehley
First concert: Deep Purple, 1973, Copenhagen
Describes self as: Anticipa ting, stubborn, spontaneous, sarcastic, talkative, silly, squeaky
What equipment does Lars use?
Lars plays Tama Artstar II Drums with Remo heads and Zildjian Brilliant cymbals.
Has Lars recorded for a ny bands besides Metallica?
Lars has recorded a drum track with Mercyful Fate for a remake of their song "Return of the Vampire."
Is it true that Lars sings sometimes?
Metallica, on occasion has been known to switch around the instruments on "Am I Evil?" The (un)usual arrangement is Lars--vox, James--drums, Jason--guitar, Kirk--bass. Lars claims this is his "Bruce Dickinson impersonation." This is not a very regular happening--maybe five times ever.
With what heavy metal band did Lars first become interested in the Metal Scene?
Deep Purple.
What does he like to do when he gets time away from Metallica?
Lars likes scuba diving, skiing, going to the movies, and forgetting about Metallica.
Why did Lars thank Jethro Tull when they won the Grammy in 1992?
Jethro Tull won the award that many think Metallica deserved in 1989. The "thanks to Jethro Tull for not putting out an album this year," was an underhanded salute to the industry for not recognizing Metallica in 1989.
"Please don't put your life in the hands of a rock & roll band, who throw it all away."
--Lars Ulrich
Jason Curtis Newsted
Instrument: Bass
Specialty: Making sure Metallica thumps harder than ever
Birthday: March 4, 1963
From: Battle Creek, Michigan
Vitals: 5'9" & 150 lbs (1.75 meters & 68.04 kilos); brown/red hair & blue eyes
Drives: '94 Land Cruiser, IBIS Titanium, Cyclocross bike
Drinks: Bordeaux, Barolo, barbaresco wines. Evian, Metrx Shakes
Eats: Thai Curry, Frosted Flakes, Bananas, Ginseng
Sports teams: NBA: Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls; NFL: Detroit Lions, L.A. Raiders
Before Metallica: Flotsam and Jetsam, Dogz
Pre-Metallica career: Burger-flipper, pizza-maker, and truck-driver
Likes: Mountain biking, Basketball
Listens to: Kiss, Black Sabbath, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Machine Head, Sly and the Family Stone, Sepultura, Wes Montgomery, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Jaco Pastorius, Anything and everything
First concert: Ted Nugent, 1975, South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame University
Heroes: Gene Simmons, Al Pacino, B.B. King, my father, Zach Harmen, Bob Marley
Describes self as: Energetic, caring, goofy
What guitar equipment does Jason use?
Jason plays bass (and lots of 'em.) He uses Sadowsky Basses, La Bella strings and Ampeg among other equipment.
Has he recorded for anyone other than Metallica?
Jason has many side projects. His former band, Flotsam & Jetsam, also released two albums with Jason's work on them.
What was with Jason saying that he'd rather be in an all Elvis cover band?
Jason's comments were about the lack of bass presence on ...And Justice For All. He has also said that he would be in Metallica until he is physically (or mentally) unable to be.
What is Flotsam & Jetsam?
Flotsam & Jetsam was Jason's first band, formed in Scottsdale, AZ, who traveled from Phoenix to L.A. and recorded an album with Jason before he took over the bass duties in Metallica.
When was Jason's last gig with Flotsam & Jetsam?
Oct.31 , 1986--Halloween night.
What was Jason's first show with Metallica?
Jason's first gig with Metallica was opening for Metal Church at The Country Club in Reseda on the 11th of November 1986. His second gig was the very next night at Jezabelle's in Anaheim.
Is Jason's brother really a teacher?
Yes. Jason's brother, Tim Newsted, teaches elementary school, and has since 1978.
Why did Jason cut his hair?
It was fried from concert lighting, smoke, etc. Also, it was just time for a change.
What is Tommy's Joint?
Tommy's Joint is a Hoffbrau (meat, potatoes and beer!) located in San Francisco, and was a hangout of Metallica's. It is also the place where Jason was asked to join the band.
What's going on at the end of the "Roam" video, and why is Jason being attacked with pies?
When touring, Jason's (and other band members) birthdays are celebrated by drenching with pies and other available materials.
"I still play music for the same reasons as when I first started; for the energy, the feeling, the interaction with others. Not for the money, ego or greed."
--Jason Newsted
Thanx to the MetClub for info
