Bulletboys’ Marq Torien collaborates with Metallica’s Robert Trujillo on new “funky” project

In a recent interview with Marko Syrjala of Metal Rules, Bulletboys frontman Marq Torien revealed that he has been working with Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo on an exciting new musical endeavor. “We cut a track… and I’m going to go start finishing it up and stuff,” he shared.

Torien expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “Robert is like my number one favorite bass player ever. He’s an amazing man, just such a sweetheart. I love him so dearly. But I was very emotional when he called me because I don’t get those calls very often. I get people talking about my musical skills and that I’m at this really high level, but I never get people like to call me, and it was hard for him to find my number. He couldn’t find anybody to get my number. He goes, ‘I couldn’t find anybody. Can I get Marq’s number? I need him to see. Come on. Let’s go.’ So, it’s been fun with him, and we didn’t really know each other too well, but through certain… His best friend and Ira [Black, current Bulletboys guitarist] helped get my phone number to people. And I just love chatting with him because he’s one of the most down-to-earth, loving souls that I’ve ever been around. He just has a big heart, and he’s all about music. And I think that’s why we click; I’m the same way.“

Regarding the project’s name, Torien revealed, “No, not yet. I’m really excited about that. And his writing partner, Armand [Sabal-Lecco], who has worked with him and they’ve had the stuff for now a couple of years, but they had a couple of singers, he told me, but the guy’s just kind of fell out and didn’t really want to do it. And I was, like, ‘Well, how is that possible with what I’m listening to?’ He goes, ‘I know. See, because you know what’s up.’ I said, ‘Yeah, dude, gimme that mic. Let’s go.’ I mean, the first time he played me the song, we’re listening to the studio, and I go, ‘You mind if I start singing some, you know, some stuff?’ He goes, ‘Oh, please,’ so I start singing melodies and stuff. He’s going, ‘Oh shit.’ You know, he is just going, ‘Yeah. Yeah.’ So, it’s just one of those things.“

He added, “It’s a side project for him. A labor of love. And I’m just really excited about it. It’s very, very funky. It’s very funk orientated. A little bit of punk rock. A little bit of R&B but very funky.“