Jason Newsted, frontman of new outfit NEWSTED and former member of METALLICA and VOIVOD, has issued a brief update on the band's current stretch of US tour dates. Check it out below:

Newsted is featured in a new interview with Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal at Metal Assault. An excerpt is available below:

Q: So, on this tour what can people expect? Obviously you’ll play songs from the EP, but will you be playing songs from the upcoming full-length as well?

Newsted: "Yes, we have about 21 original songs to choose from in total. So people will of course be seeing all of the EP being played, because that’s what they’re familiar with so far. But we’ll have a lot of other stuff at the show for them from the new record, and then I’m going to dive back into some history stuff. We’ll do little pieces of old Metallica songs and may be a couple of other little treats for people. We’ll try to pull out some MOTÖRHEAD and stuff like that, just to keep everything entertaining. The Metallica songs that I feel I have a right to play, that I have songwriting credits on, ‘Blackened’, ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ and ‘My Friend Of Misery’, there will be pieces of those. I don’t plan on playing any of the entire songs of that newer stuff, but just pieces of it as a reminder to people, just to pepper up the set and also to dig back into the old things that people know me for. There have been two singers in Metallica in 32 years, and that’s James and myself. So the songs that I sing in Metallica, I’ll probably sing in this band as well. We’ll play pieces that people know me for, like ‘Die Motherfuckin’ Die’ and all that stuff. We’ll share that stuff with everybody."

Q: Talking of the vocals, the Metallica fan base has always loved you for your contribution in that department. But what’s it been like for you to do lead vocals on this new music of yours?

Newsted: "It’s a very different thing. In my other band PAPA WHEELIE, where I play punk and stony metal and all that, I play guitar and sing. It’s much different to play guitar and sing as compared to playing bass and singing, because you’ve got to hold down the bass while trying to sing at the same time. It’s quite difficult actually. So it’s a challenge that I like. I’m assuming a few different roles in this band that I’ve never had before, being the frontman and the bassist at the same time. I’m also playing guitar live. I’ll switch back and forth between bass and guitar during the performance. Singing other than just the cookie monster vocals, actually trying to sing sing, for me it has been developing for eight or ten years, trying to get my real voice. I can still do all the crazy, heavy stuff but I’m really trying to sing a little bit more now. So all that stuff for me is really exciting and every song is a challenge."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Newsted kicked off their US tour on April 19th in Walnut Creek, CA at Red House. Fan-filmed video, which includes footage of the band performing some Metallica classics, can be viewed below:

US tour dates are as follows:

April

24 - Fresno, CA - The Starline
26 - Sparks, NV - The Alley
27 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades

May

1 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
3 - Las Vegas, NV - Vinyl
4 - Mesa, AZ - KUPD Ufiesta / Quail Run Park
15 - Battle Creek, MI - Planet Rock
17 - Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot
18 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
21 - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
22 - Cambridge, MA - The Middle East Downstairs
23 - Asbury Park, NJ - The Stone Pony

Visit this location to get access to VIP ticketing packages for all US dates.

VIP packages include:

- one general admission concert ticket
- one meet and greet with Newsted
- one photo opportunity with Newsted
- get one personal item signed by Newsted
- one tour T-shirt
- one commemorative VIP Laminate
- first entry into the venue (where available)
- lines free merchandise shopping (where available)

Newsted have also confirmed more European tour dates, including a special appearance at The 100 Club in London, England on June 12th.

European dates include:

May

31 - Sonisphere Festival Madrid - Madrid, Spain

June

1 - Sonisphere Festival Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain
8 - Rock Im Park Clubstage - Nuremberg, Germany
9 - Rock Am Ring Clubstage - Nurburgring, Germany
10 - Trix - Antwerp, Belgium (with MASTODON)
12 - 100 Club - London, England
19 - Alcatraz - Milan, Italy (with SLAYER)
25 - Belgrade Arena - Belgrade, Serbia (with SLAYER)
27 - With Full Force Festival - Leipzig, Germany

Ticket links can be found at this location.

Newsted recently finished recordings for their debut full-length album. Check out the video update below:

As previously reported, STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok has joined Newsted. Following the release of Newsted’s explosive EP, Metal – which debuted #1 on the iTunes metal chart, Mushok, guitarist Jessie Farnsworth and drummer Jesus Mendez Jr. are currently pounding away at Jason’s Chophouse Studios in Northern California, putting the final touches on a full-length album to be released early this summer.

“It was obvious from the word go that Mike is one of us,” says Jason. “Professional, focused, happy and grateful to be able to make our beautiful noise together!”
“I loved the old school vibe of the Metal EP, and when we got together to jam it really felt great,” adds Mushok. “Staind is taking a break for a while, so when Jason asked if I was interested in joining them to record an album and play on the upcoming tour, it was perfect timing. All I could say was, Hell yeah! I’m totally down for this.”

Check out a video introduction of Newsted's new line-up below: