The Great Southern Brainfart has issued an interview with former RAMONES bassist C.J. Ramone. An excerpt follows:

Q: Speaking of metal, I heard that you were approached by METALLICA to replace Jason Newstead.

A: "I was approached about joining Metallica not once but twice [laughs]. When Jason first left the band they approached me. A while had gone by and they were having a hard time finding someone so they approached me again. At the time my son had been diagnosed with Autism and there was just no way I could leave him. Johnny (Ramone) was actually the one who hooked me up with the audition because he was friends with Kirk Hammett. I talked to my son’s doctor and explained the opportunity and that I could bring my family out on the road and even hire a nurse. The doctor just told me that my son needed to wake up in the same place every day, he needs to have meals at the same time every day and he needs to go to school everyday and be around other kids. He said that anything other than that could be a detriment. I was honored that they asked me but there was just no way I could do it. The beautiful part about it all is that now my son is in regular classes at school. He’s on the high honor roll and he’s even starting his own band now with a couple of friends of his. The change in him from when he was a kid is amazing. I’m not taking credit for it all. There were a lot of people who helped him along the way. If I had not been here, I don’t know that the outcome would have been as good and that totally justifies my decision. I have no regrets. It would’ve been great to play with Metallica after being in the Ramones. Jesus, that would be just like a too perfect life [laughs]."

Q: One can only imagine what that sound would have been!

A: "Oh yeah. Believe me, it would’ve been great. I would’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve always been a huge metal fan. BLACK SABBATH is absolutely my favorite band of all time. I loved all that really dark stuff. Playing in Metallica would have been a second dream come true but like I said, things worked out really good for my son and I have no remorse and no regrets."

Read the full interview at this location.