Jason Newsted

Jason Curtis Newsted (born March 4, 1963 in Battle Creek, Michigan) is an American bass guitarist currently a member of Voivod, but is best known as a former member of the metal band Metallica. He currently resides in Walnut Creek, California.

Related Topics:
March 4 - 1963 - Battle Creek, Michigan - Bass guitarist - Voivod - Metal - Metallica - Walnut Creek, California

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Jason left his previous band, Flotsam and Jetsam to join Metallica in 1986 after the death of popular bassist Cliff Burton. According to Metallica vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, auditions for Cliff's replacement were held the day following his funeral, as their popularity was at an all time high, having just released Master of Puppets.

Related Topics:
Flotsam and Jetsam - 1986 - Cliff Burton - James Hetfield - Master of Puppets

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During an evening drinking, the three members of Metallica: Hetfield, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, and drummer Lars Ulrich asked Jason to join Metallica. Reportedly, it was Ulrich who asked Newsted: "want a job?"

Related Topics:
Kirk Hammett - Lars Ulrich

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After confirming Jason as their new bassist, Metallica constructed a cheap studio in Hetfield's garage, and as a way to acclimate Jason to Metallica. In this studio, the band quickly recorded an album consisting completely of cover songs called , a homage to the so-called New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Jason was often refered to by the nickname "Jason Newkid."

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Unlike the charismatic Burton, who was a fingerstyle bassist almost exclusively, Jason Newsted preferred using a pick for most of his work, but on occasion did play the bass with his fingers.

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Shortly afterward, the band recorded ...And Justice for All, Jason's official debut with Metallica. While the album contains classic Metallica songs such as One and Harvester of Sorrow, the production quality is generally viewed as sub-par compared to their previous albums. In particular, the bass guitar is all but non-existent, buried under layers upon layers of Hetfield's rhythm guitar tracks. It can be felt, but hardly heard, although this can also be partially be attributed to Jason doubling Hetfield's rhythm guitar parts.

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Jason withstood a series of ongoing practical jokes during the mammoth two-year tour supporting Justice.. He felt that the hazing never stopped. Many fans who have come to his defense believe that Jason Newsted was never really fully accepted as an equal to his predecessor, Cliff Burton, by the band.

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He left Metallica in January 2001 citing "... the physical damage I've done to myself playing the music I love". He joined the Canadian metal band Voivod in 2002.

Related Topics:
2001 - Voivod

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Newsted claimed in the film "Some Kind of Monster", that he left Metallica because of James Hetfield's controlling desire to keep everyone in Metallica, and out of side projects (like Jason's Echobrain and IR8 projects). Jason also felt after 13 years, his bandmates still had not accepted him as an equal to his predecessor, Cliff Burton.

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In 2003 Metallica picked former Ozzy Osbourne and Suicidal Tendencies bassist Robert Trujillo as Newsted's replacement. In a bizzarre twist, Ozzy immediately chose Jason to replace Rob for Ozzfest 2003. Following the end of Ozzfest Jason left Ozzy's band to concentrate on his work with Voivod.

Related Topics:
Ozzy Osbourne - Suicidal Tendencies - Robert Trujillo

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