Name:
Jason Curtis Newsted
Born: March 4, 1963. Battle Creek, Michigan
Play: Bass
Speciality: Make sure Metallica thumps
harder than ever
Jason Newsted
is the fourth person to play bass for Metallica. After a successful and
happy tenure with Cliff Burton, a tragic accident took his life. The remaining
members of Metallica felt Cliff would have wished them to carry on.
So carry
on they did, with the help of Jason Newsted. He was hand picked bythe
band after a series of auditions of about 40 people that included Troy
Gregory, Willy Lange and Les Claypool. Jason was suggested for a try-out
to Lars by Brian Slagel. Brian was a bit reluctant since Jason's current
band, Flotsam & Jetsam was signed to his Metal Blade Records.
Jason had
some pretty big shoes to fill. Cliff Burton was always more then just
the bass player in Metallica. Jason was up to the task and has definitely
made his mark on Metallica.
Jason
was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, and raised in Niles. At age 14, the
Newsted clan packed up and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. There he grew
up within 5 miles of the Gibson Guitar Company.
His reasons
for picking up bass began and ended with Kiss' Gene Simmons. His roots
of 'speed metal' could be traced back to playing his father's player piano
at faster than normal tempo. After an initial unsuccessful attempt at
bass, he picked up the instrument again a few years later when he received
his first bass guitar.
Jason saved
up money for a better bass, then hooked up with local band Gangster, which
included guitar player Tim Hamlin. Hamlin became a mentor and a teacher
of sorts to the young aspiring bass player.
Suprisingly,
Jason quit High School just 3 months shy of graduation, and spent time
away from home, living with the Gangster guys (He has since received his
GED, an does not recommend anyone quitting school).
In 1981,
Jason and Hamlin left Michigan for California. They made it as far as
Phoenix, Arizona on Halloween, 1981. In Phoenix, Jason kept himself busy
with odd jobs including a stint at a Subway sandwich shop. He and Hamlin
drifted apart and Jason hooked up with drummer Kelly David-Smith. With
David-Smith, Jason jammed for awhile with Paradox, but that amounted to
little. Eventually he moved in with David-Smith in Scotsdale, Arizona.
There, the they dug up guitarists Mark Vasquez and Kevin Horton. With
Jason on bass, and often singing, the fledgling band dubbed themselves
Dogz. Horton was soon replaced by Ed Carlson, and this line up played
various gigs and recorded some demos.
In 1983,
vocalist Erik A.K. joined Dogz, and shortly after they changed the name
to Flotsam & Jetsam. Jason acted as bass player, chief songwriter, band
manager, fan liason, and lyricist.
Flotsam
& Jetsam got a spot on the same Metal Massacre compilation that spawned
Metallica's career a few years earlier, and the band was soon signed with
Metal Blade records. They released one album, Doomsday For The Deceiver
with Jason, and released another with songs written with him. On Halloween
night, 1986, Jason played his ast gig with Flotsam & Jetsam.
For his
audition for Metallica, Newsted learned all of Cliff's parts, but also
added some things to show that he was his own person and a capable bass
player. The audition was stretched to the next day and finally that evening
at Tommy's Joint.. he was finally asked the big question:
"Do you
want a job?"
Jason's
response? A yell that nearly scared off the other people in the bar.His
quick ascent to Metallica, which was his favorite band, was not easy.
He went through a year of hazing and abuse which bordered on ludicrous,
absurd and amazing. But Newsted proved himself capable.
Today Jason
is an integral part of the band, and as a former fan himself, is widely
respected for his ongoing commitment to the fans.
Jason left
Metallica in January 2001 after 14 years with the band.
Faq:
What
are Jason's vitals?
Jason Curtis Newsted was found jamming in Battle Creek, Michigan on March
4th, 1963; he is 5'9" and weighs 150 lbs. His eyes are blue, and his hair
is red-brown.
Is
Jason married?
Jason is divorced.
What
bass guitar equipment does he use?
Jason plays bass (and lots of 'em) currently he plays Sadowsky basses
live, he uses La Bella strings and uses Ampeg amongst other equipment.
What
does he drive?
LandCruiser, Merlin Mountain bike.
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 it. Look for Jason's songwriting on Jim
Martin's debut album Milk & Blood, and on Voivod's Phobos, he also contibutes
to songs on UNKLE's Psyence Fiction and Seplutura's Against.
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 the "..And Justice
For All" album. He has also said that he would be in Metallica until he
is physically (or mentally) unable to do so.
What
is Jason's drink of choice?
Jason has a penchant for fine, thick red wines like Barolo or Bordeaux,
also drinks Evain and MetRx shakes.
What
sports teams does Jason follow?
Jason follows the Phoenix Suns, the Chicago Bulls on the NBA, and the
Detroit Lions and the Raiders in the NFL.
What
jobs has he had before Metallica?
Jason's been a truck-driver, a pizza maker and has worked at a Sandwich
Shop.
What
are Jason's favorite foods?
Thai Curry, Frosted Flakes, Bananas, Ginseng.
What
was the first song he learned to play?
Main riff in '25 or 6 to 4' by Chicago, loads of Gene Simmons string slides.
What
recent music does Jason listen to?
Sepultura, Soulfly, Massive Attack, Tricky. Lots more.
Has
Jason been in any other bands?
Jason's previous bands included Dogz, Gangster and Flotsam & Jetsam.
Does
Jason wear glasses?
Jason is near-sighted, and occasionally wears glasses instead of contacts.
Who
are Flotsam & Jetsam?
Jason's band before joining Metallica, they recorded an album with Jason
before he took over the bass duties in Metallica.
When
was Jason's last gig with Flotsam and Jetsam?
October 31st, (Halloween night), 1986.
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 in the first week of November 1986. His second gig was
the very next night at Jezabelle's in Anaheim.
What
does he like to do in his off-time?
Jason Newsted likes to jam in his Chophouse studio, mountain bike and
play basketball.
Any
pets?
2 Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs, Kobie and Kaya.
Is
Jason's brother really a teacher?
Yes, Jason's brother, Tim, teaches Elementary School.
Who
are His influences?
Jason credits Kiss, Rush, Black Sabbath and Ted Nugent.
Why
did Jason cut his hair?
It was fried from concert lighting and smoke etc.
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, 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.
What
now defunct bands would Jason like to see reunite?
The original line-ups of Black Sabbath and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
