JASON NEWSTED On Fronting His Own Band - "We’re Where We Are Now Because Lars Gave Me A Call And Asked Me To Jam Again"

January 13, 2013, 11 years ago

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NEWSTED founder/frontman Jason Newsted (METALLICA, VOIVOD) is featured in a new interview with Pat Douglas at GreatFallsTribune.com. An excerpt is available below:

If ever there was a musician capable of recalling the highest of highs and the lowest of lows from a life in rock ‘n’ roll, Jason Newsted would be the man.

The highs came from playing in the biggest metal band in the world for nearly two decades, while the lows were the result of shoulder surgeries that left him with the use of only one arm for more than three years.

It was a pseudo-reunion last year with his old Metallica bandmates that got Newsted to a place where he wanted to write and record again. The resulting project is aptly called Newsted, and fans are being treated to his new album this week.

“Metallica did their Fillmore shows for the 30th anniversary (and Metallica drummer) Lars (Ulrich) called me and said they were having all the family out and anybody that played a part in the history,” Newsted recalled in an interview with the Tribune from his home in San Francisco. “I said ‘Let’s do it.’

“I really didn’t know what to expect,” he added. “I was overwhelmed by the positive vibe from people. It truly took my breath.

“I heard my name in all kinds of dialects and accents and positive vibes coming,” he said. “I had an epiphany and looked over the crowd and said ‘I’m gonna try this one more time.’ That’s why we’re where we are now because Lars gave me a call and asked me to jam again.”

Newsted is the frontman now, playing guitar and singing front and center, something he hasn’t had to do in the past.

“It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time,” Newsted said of assuming a frontman role. “It’s gonna be that newness, scared, excited feeling when you first start out again. I get to taste a bunch of that.”

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Newsted recently checked in with news that Newsted's debut four-song EP, Metal, will be released on CD January 15th and the band's first video for 'Soldierhead' will debut next week. Check out the clip below:

Metal tracklisting is as follows:

'Soldierhead'

'Godsnake'

'King Of The Underdogs'

'Skyscraper'

The new teaser for the video for the track 'Soldierhead' can be seen below:

Newsted (the band) will be the featured guest on US nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn on Monday, January 14th at 8:30pm PT/11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with the band toll free at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For more information on finding a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the internet broadcast go to Rocklineradio.com. The show will be streamed on the Rockline website for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.

More on Newsted at this location.



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