Jason Newsted recently talked about his exit from the legendary band, Metallica.
Jason Newsted comments on the matter
In a new interview with the Sun Sentinel promoting this weekend’s Newsted concert in Fort Lauderdale, Jason Newsted was asked about Lars Ulrich’s comment from a couple of years ago about how he has come to understand why the bassist shocked the rock world by quitting Metallica.
Asked if he was looking for a more creative outlet with Echobrain, then Voivod and Newsted, Jason said:
“I haven’t changed my goals or quest, whatever you want to call it. I’ve always kept playing with whoever wants to play, you know? The caliber has risen over time, certainly, but that’s been my mentality before I was ever in the big band [Metallica] or anything. I kept playing many, many projects while I was still touring with Metallica, and through all those years that never stopped.”
He continued: “Newsted was an extension of that when it started 2012 and we took it around the world, 22 or 24 countries. That same mentality and that same drive has always existed. So that’s kind of what Lars is maybe talking about. I always wanted to keep my fire going. And then when I’d come back to play with [Metallica], I would maybe be that much more ready and happy about doing it. I’m feeling more fulfilled if I’m able to do my thing with my boys over here and then get back to the big guys getting super loud. That was cool for me. When I was not able to find the balance anymore, maybe that’s what he is speaking of.”
Newsted was Metallica’s third bassist, following Ron McGovney and the late Cliff Burton. Trujillo took over in 2003 after Newsted’s exit.
Newsted’s exit from Metallica was documented in the band’s 2004 documentary, “Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster”, which followed the members of the group through the three most turbulent years of their long career, during which they battled through addiction, lineup changes, fan backlash, personal turmoil and the near-disintegration of the group while making their “St. Anger” album.
