INTERVIEW 1
LARS - "People have this thing about cocaine, and sure enough, a lot of people give it a bad name. We're just lucky enough walk a fairly straight line on it." With over 15 years behind them, you'll get an altogether different kind of interview from Metallica these days. For someone unfamiliar with the band, drummer Lars Ulrich discussing hard drugs might seem like staple rock 'n' roll fare. Anyone else will k now the band have traditionally zipped their mouths on the subject. We're in Oslo, an hour after show 53 of Metallica's 55-date 'Poor Touring Me' Euro trek. Cradling a white wine, Lars fiddles with almost anything within reach, including the tape recorder. "If you put Cliff Burton into the equation, out of the five Metallica members, four of us have dabbled in various levels of drug use. We have had fun with it and experimented, but it's never interfered with anything. It's always been at a social level. Same thing with keeping yourself in shape." In Kerrang!'s Xmas issue, James Hetfield suggested that the other members of the band had been afraid to talk about drugs because of his disapproval. James did after all write 'Master Of Puppets'. "When James wrote that song, the three other members of Metallica were dabbling with cocaine use on a social level. But the song's about excess. The likes of Dave Mustaine and Steven Tyler for example ruin it for everybody. They give the impression tha t it has to be all or nothing. You're either a fucking junkie with needles in your arms, or you're sitting at AA meetings. We've always been able to hang out in the 'in-between' area." Nevertheless, people might worry about Metallica. "They have to understand that whatever's going on now is no different from what was happening 10 or 15 years ago. I can go for months without dabbling in anything, and then all of a sudden, I'll go on a bender for a week and have fun with it. Then, I'll wake up one morning and go, 'Hello, Ulrich, get your shit together!!'. Even James who only drinks.....there are nights when he's so hungover from just drinking, and i can hear it's affecting his performance, and he'll take a week off. He really had a s erious drinking problem on the '...Justice' tour, but he dealt with it. This isn't something we've promoted like, say, Guns N' Roses' of this world, we've never walked around going, 'Hello! Cliff smoked hash, and I do this, or whatever'." Amusingly, Ulrich has previously gone on record as saying that he's never touched cocaine. "That's because I lied! I go through different phases, and I've never felt this open and comfortable about everything in my life. I spent a lot of years feeling very insecure about my drumming abilities, about being in the shadow of James Hetfield, bein g second to Guns N' Roses, and all this. But now, I feel a lot happier about my personal life. I have a great relationship that I've been in for almost a year now, and I've purposefully tried to change a lot of the things about my personality that I did n't like, in order not to try and make the same mistakes again. The drummer's control-freak tendencies have been well documented. "For the last year, I've wanted to get away from Metallica for the first time in my life. I think most people would agree that I'm a lot less of an asshole to the people who work for us. I'm a lot less manic that I used to be. Lars and bassist Jason Newsted are notoriously incompatible when it comes to interviews. They were scheduled to appear together today, but this doesn't happen. JASON - "There's no use in anyone sitting in the same room with Lars, unless it's the interviewer, he doesn't give you space. James and I work off each other well, cos we have a lot of the same ideals. Lars and I come from different places. However, the varied characters in Metallica are united by no longer needing to do this for money. LARS - "We're all millionaires over and over, we've got more money than we know what to do with, and I'm sick of playing stuff like that down. Why Bullshit people? But then, when we're done with those 55 Euro shows for 750,000 people, we'll be walking a way without making a penny, and that's a fact." JASON - "There's so much more substance, other than money and attention. It's cool to make money and make things comfortable for everybody close to you, but it's also about keeping your head on straight. I've invested my money, I'm not going to put it u p my nose or spend it on $3,000 shirts." The bassist is feeling "sombre, but at peace". While amiable and humorous, he remains the most philosophical of the foursome. For Jason, factors like pride and respect are paramount. His views may occasionally clash with others, but he has found a pers pective on Metalli-life that works for him. JASON - "The only thing you really need is having nice food and a place to stay. I don't pay attention to charts and stuff anymore, the only review i care about is when i go and talk to the 50 or 80 kids who're waiting there after the show. They're hone st with me and they fuel Metallica. I don't want the pretentious attitude of thinking you'r better than someone else, because you earned the money." Newsted can talk about music forever, and has recorded hundreds of hours of tapes with members of Sepultura, Voivod and the Melvins. Ulrich thinks that Jason and his mates "smoke pot and jam mondlessly for hours". LARS - "Jason spends his free time engulfing as much music as he can, I spend my getting far away from music as possible." Yet the so-called opposing corners of Metallica are much more settled than they used to be. In '94, shit hit the fan when Jason recorded a demo with his side-band, 'Irate (IR8)' and leaked onto US radio. JASON - "The management were yelling, 'What the fuck are you doing Jason!?!' James Hetfield hit the fucking roof. They said one of the downfalls of being in Metallica is that you can't do projects with other people and release them. But I needed to voi ce my voice, so I made a stink, which is why I got much more space today. I gave them an 'Irate' demo, and Lars said, 'I don't wanna be associated with that!!'. I can understand, because it's basically my ode to Sepultura. Old school heavy metal, that' s why the kids love it." Now, Ulrich laughs at the memory of that confrontation. LARS - "Jason can record with Princess Diana for all I care. I can't believe I once looked him in the eye and said 'You're a member of Metallica, you can go and fucking play death-metal.' But that's what's so beautiful about growing older.....I can't be lieve I walked around in a white leather jacket four years ago." Ulrich and Newsted agree that '90's multi-platinum 'Black' album has been a one-off. Load has sold a lot, but it hasn't gone supernova. JASON - "Phenomenons only happen to people in the limelight one time, that was our phenomenon, and it still continues to sell 15,000 copies a week...it's unbelievable, Metallica's created something legendary." LARS - "I certainly didn't expect Load to be as successful, timing has something to do with everything that goes on. If you look at what was happening in '91 with us and Guns N' Roses, before Nirvana, before Pearl Jam, it was the right that at the right time. If the 'Black' album came out tomorrow, I don't think it'd do 60 million copies." Lars and Jason cautiously sum up the next Metallica album - which in late '97 will serve up the remnants of the prolific 'Load' writing sessions - in similar ways. JASON - "The songs on Load were just the songs that were the furthest along, development-wise, due to time restraints. It's not like the other songs are B-grade." Guitarist Kirk Hammett stated in Kerrang! that the next batch of material is heavier than Load. JASON - "Kirk made quite a confining statement, if we end up putting some rgid fucking chainsaw guitars in some songs, or pick up the tempo a bit, then that's just how it'll come out. But as far as predicting it.......from the songs I even remember, the stuff is like 'Sad But True'. Mid-tempo, grinding, some fucking tuned down. A few are heavy, epic like 'Sad But True or 'Outlaw Torn' Major scale and E-minor, that's what we write in, it's basically all the same shit, we just switch the riffs around a b it." You're not supposed to say that. "Well, if people haven't figured that out after 80 songs, then they've got trouble." (smiles). It's no secret that Jason prefers Metallica's thrashing, crashing side. "Oh yes! I'd definitely like to play heavier, faster shit. Just as a fan of Metallica, and because of the METAL RUNNING THROUGH MY VEINS. I can bite into the older stuff better. Hetfield's songwriting ability is so many steps ahead of mine, getting my punky metal songs into the realms of Metallica is quite a task. In order to get that crunchy fast shit going, It's probably going to have to come from me. I do keep banging on the door....if it comes, it comes. LARS - "I don't think it's fair to anybody, a year before the record comes out, to start talking about it's direction. The best thing i can say is that the rest of the songs don't quite have the extremes of 'Mama Said', 'Bleeding Me' or 'Hero Of The Day' . It's more one-dimensional. It'll be 10 to 12 five-minute songs that are all fairly heavy. No 10-minute epics, or James going off on his country tangent. I think people might say it's a little heavier, whatever that might mean to them." Is there any point in asking whether there'll be a 'Battery' style, rip-yer-face-off element? LARS - "Yeah, there are a couple of things that are a little more in that direction." Really? Because Metallica have done the unexpected on the last two albums, by easing the attack. Now, the unexpected would be..... "Of course, I am aware of that....but look, the songs are written and everyone feels pretty strongly about the material, and I don't want to wait so long that we start second-guessing some of it. This is not album number 7, it's the second part of album number 6. When we've got that amount of material, you can do a double-album or do what U2 did, spreading it over two separate records, 'Achtung Baby' and 'Zooropa'. But the best stuff is on Achtung Baby.... e years. In the same way that a couple o f these next songs mightn't hold up in five years. But right now, the material is fairly evenly strong, and I hope we're gonna put it all out." At the end of the day, Lars Ulrich and Jason Newsted are agreed on one thing. They know why they are here. JASON - "The magic that is made between people when you communicate with music." LARS "People make the mistake of thinking that, because of the records we make now, we're disowning the early material....but I enjoy play 'Motorbreath' as much as I enjoy playing 'King Nothing'. That's the honest truth.
INTERVIEW 2
LARS: Hi Lars here,
live from NYC
Lars, how long do you guys get to
play for Lollapalooza and will there be a snake pit.
LARS: We will be playing for 90
minutes and there will be no snake pit.
what will be the new album like?
will there be any Instrumentals?
LARS: the title is Load...it is
amazing, best thing we cone since the last album and there is a lot of
instrumental bits between the vocals
What the cover will look like?
LARS: the new logo will definitely
be part of the album package, the cover will be a photo that.. is really cool
and in a warped way . could tie in with the title
What do you think about some of
these new, no hair, grungy looking bands today?
LARS: they should shower
I was wondering if you could tell
us what inspired Metallica to take part in lollapalooza 1996?
LARS: a desire to try something
different, going to uncharted territory, to play with bands that would not
normally get to play with, and the fun of a live experience that is new to us.
Are you going to do any videos
this time around? Please say no!
LARS: OK...no...sorry I am lying. We
are just talking about that as we are speaking.. nothing definitive yet.
May I ask why you downsized your
set Lars?
LARS: I was hanging out in Seattle
with my friend Jerry, from Alice in Chains and we went down to their practice
room for a jam and I played on Shawns's drums and I really loved playing on the
smaller drums. I went back to SF and downsized my own kit.
Tell us about the most memorable
moment of your career?
LARS: Talking on AOL right now, or
getting my hair cut
What were the main influences for
the new album?
LARS: Bombay Sapphire Gin and
generally just trying to loosen up and once again as with every record we have
ever done, follow our instincts and just play what our hearts tell us to do
Do you plan on doing another tour
for "Load" other than Lollapalooza?
LARS: after Lolla, we go overseas
for the rest of the year but anybody who knows our previous touring escapades
will probably guess what happens next
Can you give a hint to any of the
other song names/subjects for LOAD?
LARS: don't tell anyone but...a
couple of other song titles are.. "Cure"..."Until It Sleeps"
and "King Nothing".
Why did you guys cut your hair???
LARS: to give you guys something to
talk about and... for no other reason than I wanted to
After all of the live material
you guys have put out, is there any song from your earlier records that you may
play for the first time on tour this time around?
LARS: Good question. I think there
will be and I already have one potential in mind, but I can guarantee that there
will be some surprises next time you see us live
All of my friends have been
telling me that you guys are going "alternative." PLEASE tell me that
isn't true..
LARS: We are not going "anything",
this is the 15th year of us doing what we have always done and the only thing we
know how to do, which is being Metallica
Metallica obviously hasn't
reached its peak yet, with every record doing better than the last... what are
your feelings on this?
LARS: is that a question form Bob
Rock? As with any record, my feelings are this is the best record we can make at
this time, whatever happens
How do you think that your
playing styles have varied from the Kill 'Em All days, to present day?
LARS: Our musical horizons and
abilities have definitely broadened, our styles have matured as we have
I've been writing and recording
music in my own studio for the past 6 years. Any suggestions how I can get bands
to listen to the songs for consideration ?
LARS: Send them to publishing
companies
Do you know of anywhere that I
can get a hold of your NWOBHM:'79 Revisited record?
LARS: Why don't you call Metal blade
records and ask them, that's the label it came out on, I think they are located
in the 805 area code
Will there be anyone other than
James singing lead on the new album?
LARS: no. Jason is doing some
backups here and there
Tell us yourself...how heavy is
the new album?
LARS: 8 oz.
How long have you guys been
working on the new album?
LARS: We started writing in late 94,
went in the studio last summer, and have been working on it eversince
I'm a big fan of the double bass
on master and justice. How come you lacked allot of it on Metallica?
LARS: Cause I got bored with it and
wanted experiment with some different drum things
Lars, say that Metallica just
formed last year and "Kill 'em All released instead of "Load",
with the industry where it is now do you think a label would be interested in
the band and do you think you would be able to reach the status you have today?
LARS: I hate speculating...so I
can't really give you an answer on that, but maybe with our new silly hair cuts
we would stand a better chance
Metallica and Oasis-- what's the
connection?
LARS: Too good bands that both like
great songs, and have a lot of attitude. Two good band that write good songs...
sorry
Is there anything about your
career that you would change
LARS: Being photographed in a white
leather jacket in the fall of 91
During your last tour what size
and what kind of china did you use
LARS:
19 inch china boy low, zildjian
When
did you first start playing drums, and do you regret quitting tennis?
LARS:
First started drums in 1976 and having the same drum kit and being greatly
influenced by Ian Pace from Deep Purple and John Coglan from Status Quo. do not
regret quitting tennis
Who's your favourite bands?
LARS: At the moment it's Alice in
Chains, Oasis, COC and Black Grape. All time favourites, Deep Purple, Motorhead,
Diamond Head and Balck Sabbath
Why did you choose to call the
new album "Load"?
LARS: We wanted a name that sounded
really good , that was vague and had lots of different meanings
Will there be lots of those
patented Metallica guitar solos?
LARS: There will be a few songs with "those patented Metallica guitar solos, there will be a few songs with some very different Metallica guitar solos. There will be a few songs with some solos from James and a few songs with no solos
INTERVIEW 3
By Robert Hilburn Question: What was the plan when you came off the road in the summer of 1993? Answer: The main thing was we needed to walk away from what we were doing. We had been together for 15 years or so, and the longest break we ever had was probably two or three months - and that's not enough time to really wind down. Plus, we had never been through anything as physically and mentally draining as that last tour. Q: Did any part of you worry about what a long break like that might do to your fan base? There doesn't seem to be a lot of loyalty these days in rock. A: It was a matter of priorities. What does it do to an audience if you end up burning yourself out to the point of never wanting to do it again? Besides, you can't worry about things like fan bases. The minute you start trying to plan your moves in reaction to what you think your audience might want, that's the minute I think you have already lost. You never should sit there and go, "Well, here comes Green Day or whoever, so how should we react?" Q: I suppose the same thing applies when you are thinking about your music. There was a lot of grumbling form die-hard Metallica fans last time that your album was too accessible. Does that intimidate you at all - the fan reaction to change? A: The point people forget is that we change as people and musicians. You can't keep doing the same thing over and over or you'll get bored. That's why you'll find some changes on the new album. The thing that would worry me would be if one of my favorite bands doesn't change. But we caught the grumbling long before ["Metallica"]. When we put a ballad on our second album, there were purists in the hard-rock world that were freaking. In fact, every time we put a record out, 95% of the people are thrilled about the fact we explored some new musical territory, but you also have the 5% who are closed-minded and want you to put out the same record in a different sleeve. There are plenty of bands who do that. But we choose not to be one of them. This time, for instance, we put some bluesy stuff on the record and even some country and Southern influences. Q: Do you ever see doing another marathon tour like the last one? A: No. No. No. No. That's an answer for all of us. We will never do that again because we realize the whole thing would just crumble. That doesn't mean we won't tour a lot. We just won't play every place you can put up a stage, which is what we did last time. We did a month in the Pacific Rim at a time when almost nobody else had. We played the Singapores and the Jakartas. We played Tel Aviv and Athens. We went to Europe three times. Q: How did you use the year off? A: Mostly it was just an enriching experience - a chance for us all to think about ourselves and our life away from the band. It was the first time we really got to spend any extended period of time thinking of ourselves as individuals rather that being one-fourth of Metallica. The result, in my case, is I am more comfortable with myself, a bit less manic. Q: What did you do in the studio last year when you found you had 30 songs? A: Well, we liked all the songs, so we started looking at options. We thought about a double album like the Smashing Pumpkins, or maybe putting out two seperate albums like Guns N' Roses did with "Use Your Illusion." We even thought about staggering release dates like U2 did with "Achtung Baby" and "Zooropa." In the end, we decided to take the 14 songs that were the furthest along and record them and put them out and then go out and play some shows for a year and a half or so, then go back and put out the other album. This way we would keep things fresh. We could even play some of the songs from the next album on the tour. Q: Were you as suprised as everyone when Lollapalooza invited you to headline the shows? A: Totally. I remember we were with [our managers] in New York when they showed me the fax and I checked the calendar. Was it April 1 or something? I was suprised that they came to us because the perception of Lollapalooza is so far from what we do. But I personally don't see it as much of a stretch. Q: What do you mean? A: There were a lot of divisions between alternative rock and hard rock and metal five years ago when Lollapalooza started, but that has changed a lot. I think the boundaries have come down, and that's healthy. I think musical tastes are so wide in America today that you could put Metallica and U2 and Oasis and PJ Harvey and Waylon Jennings and Dr. Dre and the Wu-Tang Clan together and it would be great. Q: What broke down those barriers? A: I think you have to thank Kurt Cobain for a lot of that. If you go back five years or so, we had the punks and the metal kids and the modern H|sker D| crowd, if you will. Cobain came along and somehow fused it together. The aggression and attitude of Nirvana appealed to a lot of the metal kids. There were definite hints of Black Sabbath riffs in the music. At the same time, Nirvana wasn't about being a great guitar player. It was about emotion and purity and opening up, which is what a lot of the alternative crowd loved about Nirvana. Q: "Hero of the Day" on the new album speaks about finding heroes. Like Cobain, you and the other members of Metallica are viewed by lots of young people as heroes. Cobain felt uncomfortable being seen as a hero. Do you like being a role model? A: To tell you the truth, I could never understand this thing about role models, whether you're talking about some basketball player or politician or rock star. Why should you pattern your life after what they do or say? You don't know them. The way they live their lives may have nothing to do with what you admire in their professional life. I always think you should look within and seek out answers for yourself...educate yourself to understand different sides of issues. That's the way I was brought up. But I hope the songs do speak to people and help them find inner strength. ...If there is any truth in what we say, it's in the songs.