GENERAL STATS

In Brief: Jason Curtis Newsted
Born: March 4, 1963
From: Battle Creek, Michigan
Personal: Divorced
Specialty: Making sure Metallica thumps harder than ever
Plays: Bass / Equipment list
Vitals: Blue eyes, brown-red hair, 5'8"/1.75 meters tall,weighs 150 lbs/68.04 kilos

BIOGRAPHY

Jason Newsted is the fourth person to play bass for Metallica. After a successful and happy tenure with Cliff Burton, a tragic accident took his life. The remaining members of Metallica felt Cliff would have wished them to carry on.

So carry on they did, with the help of Jason Newsted. He was hand picked bythe band after a series of auditions of about 40 people that included Troy Gregory, Willy Lange and Les Claypool. Jason was suggested for a try-out to Lars by Brian Slagel. Brian was a bit reluctant since Jason's current band, Flotsam & Jetsam was signed to his Metal Blade Records.

Jason had some pretty big shoes to fill. Cliff Burton was always more then just the bass player in Metallica. Jason was up to the task and has definitely made his mark on Metallica.

Jason was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, and raised in Niles. At age 14, the Newsted clan packed up and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. There he grew up within 5 miles of the Gibson Guitar Company.

His reasons for picking up bass began and ended with Kiss' Gene Simmons. His roots of 'speed metal' could be traced back to playing his father's player piano at faster than normal tempo. After an initial unsuccessful attempt at bass, he picked up the instrument again a few years later when he received his first bass guitar.

Jason saved up money for a better bass, then hooked up with local band Gangster, which included guitar player Tim Hamlin. Hamlin became a mentor and a teacher of sorts to the young aspiring bass player.

Suprisingly, Jason quit High School just 3 months shy of graduation, and spent time away from home, living with the Gangster guys (He has since received his GED, an does not recommend anyone quitting school).

In 1981, Jason and Hamlin left Michigan for California. They made it as far as Phoenix, Arizona on Halloween, 1981. In Phoenix, Jason kept himself busy with odd jobs including a stint at a Subway sandwich shop. He and Hamlin drifted apart and Jason hooked up with drummer Kelly David-Smith. With David-Smith, Jason jammed for awhile with Paradox, but that amounted to little. Eventually he moved in with David-Smith in Scotsdale, Arizona. There, the they dug up guitarists Mark Vasquez and Kevin Horton. With Jason on bass, and often singing, the fledgling band dubbed themselves Dogz. Horton was soon replaced by Ed Carlson, and this line up played various gigs and recorded some demos.

In 1983, vocalist Erik A.K. joined Dogz, and shortly after they changed the name to Flotsam & Jetsam. Jason acted as bass player, chief songwriter, band manager, fan liason, and lyricist.

Flotsam & Jetsam got a spot on the same Metal Massacre compilation that spawned Metallica's career a few years earlier, and the band was soon signed with Metal Blade records. They released one album, Doomsday For The Deceiver with Jason, and released another with songs written with him. On Halloween night, 1986, Jason played his ast gig with Flotsam & Jetsam.

For his audition for Metallica, Newsted learned all of Cliff's parts, but also added some things to show that he was his own person and a capable bass player. The audition was stretched to the next day and finally that evening at Tommy's Joint.. he was finally asked the big question:

"Do you want a job?"

Jason's response? A yell that nearly scared off the other people in the bar.His quick ascent to Metallica, which was his favorite band, was not easy. He went through a year of hazing and abuse which bordered on ludicrous, absurd and amazing. But Newsted proved himself capable.

Today Jason is an integral part of the band, and as a former fan himself, is widely respected for his ongoing commitment to the fans.

Jason left Metallica in January 2001 after 14 years with the band. After his quit he joined Echobrain. Brian Sagrafena and Dylan Donkin are other members of Echobrain. Echobrain's first album released on 5th March 2002. Jason says "It's so different from Metallica, it's such its own thing and the voice is so fucking incredible" about his new band. But in August 2002, Jason left Echobrain. He is working on diffirent projects now.

FAQ

What are Jason's vitals?
Jason Curtis Newsted was found jamming in Battle Creek, Michigan on March 4th, 1963; he is 5'9" and weighs 150 lbs. His eyes are blue, and his hair is red-brown.

Is Jason married?
Jason is divorced.

What bass guitar equipment does he use?
Jason plays bass (and lots of 'em) currently he plays Sadowsky basses live, he uses La Bella strings and uses Ampeg amongst other equipment. Check out Jason's Equipment for more!

What does he drive?
LandCruiser, Merlin Mountain bike.

Has he recorded for anyone other than Metallica?
Jason has many side projects. His former band Flotsam & Jetsam also released two albums with Jason's work on it. Look for Jason's songwriting on Jim Martin's debut album Milk & Blood, and on Voivod's Phobos, he also contibutes to songs on UNKLE's Psyence Fiction and Seplutura's Against.

What was with Jason saying that he'd rather be in an all Elvis cover band?
Jason's comments were about the lack of bass presence on the "..And Justice For All" album. He has also said that he would be in Metallica until he is physically (or mentally) unable to do so.

What is Jason's drink of choice?
Jason has a penchant for fine, thick red wines like Barolo or Bordeaux, also drinks Evain and MetRx shakes.

What sports teams does Jason follow?
Jason follows the Phoenix Suns, the Chicago Bulls on the NBA, and the Detroit Lions and the Raiders in the NFL.

What jobs has he had before Metallica?
Jason's been a truck-driver, a pizza maker and has worked at a Sandwich Shop.

What are Jason's favorite foods?
Thai Curry, Frosted Flakes, Bananas, Ginseng.

What was the first song he learned to play?
Main riff in '25 or 6 to 4' by Chicago, loads of Gene Simmons string slides.

What recent music does Jason listen to?
Sepultura, Soulfly, Massive Attack, Tricky. Lots more.

Has Jason been in any other bands?
Jason's previous bands included Dogz, Gangster and Flotsam & Jetsam.

Does Jason wear glasses?
Jason is near-sighted, and occasionally wears glasses instead of contacts.

Who are Flotsam & Jetsam?
Jason's band before joining Metallica, they recorded an album with Jason before he took over the bass duties in Metallica.

When was Jason's last gig with Flotsam and Jetsam?
October 31st, (Halloween night), 1986.

What was Jason's first show with Metallica?
Jason's first gig with Metallica was opening for Metal Church at The Country Club in Reseda in the first week of November 1986. His second gig was the very next night at Jezabelle's in Anaheim.

What does he like to do in his off-time?
Jason Newsted likes to jam in his Chophouse studio, mountain bike and play basketball.

Any pets?
2 Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs, Kobie and Kaya.

Is Jason's brother really a teacher?
Yes, Jason's brother, Tim, teaches Elementary School.

Who are His influences?
Jason credits Kiss, Rush, Black Sabbath and Ted Nugent.

Why did Jason cut his hair?
It was fried from concert lighting and smoke etc.

What is Tommy's Joint?
Tommy's Joint is a Hoffbrau (meat, potatoes and BEER!!!) located in San Francisco and was a hangout of Metallica's, it is also the place where Jason was asked to join the band!

What's going on at the end of the "Roam" video, why is Jason being attacked with pies?
When touring, Jason's (and other band members) birthdays are celebrated by drenching with pies and other available materials.

What now defunct bands would Jason like to see reunite?
The original line-ups of Black Sabbath and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Did he really play with The Moss Brothers?
Yes. He played with Moss Brothers on stage. Also he played bass guitar for their album.

MORE ON JASON

Marital status: Single

Drives: '94 Land Cruiser, Titanium Merlin "Newsboy" Cruiser mountain bike

Drinks: Bordeaux, Barolo, Barbaresco wines. Evian, Metrx Shakes

Eats: Thai Curry, Frosted Flakes, Bananas, Ginseng

Sports teams: NBA: Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls; NFL: Detroit Lions, L.A. Raiders

Before Metallica: Flotsam and Jetsam, Dogz

Pre-Metallica career: Burger-flipper, pizza-maker, and truck-driver

Likes: Mountain biking, Basketball, Elizabeth

Listens to: Kiss, Black Sabbath, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Machine Head, Sly and the Family Stone, Sepultura, Wes Montgomery, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Jaco Pastorius, Anything and everything

First concert: Ted Nugent, 1975, South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame University

Heroes: Gene Simmons, Al Pacino, B.B. King, my father, Zach Harmon, Bob Marley

Describes self as: Energetic, caring, goofy