Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Many fans were taken aback when Jason Newsted decided to leave Metallica in 2001, as per theprp. His side projects being suppressed by the band’s camp, his burnout from the band’s busy schedule at the time, and the perceived outsider status he had to deal with—from a lack of writing credits to the notorious burial of his bass on “And Justice For All”—have all contributed to the narrative surrounding his departure for decades. Returning this spring as a bit of an open book, Newsted has now set out to explain that, although those factors were important, his own battles with addiction also had a big impact on his departure.
In a recently released episode of Dean Delray’s “Let There Be Talk” podcast, Newsted made these revelations. Newsted discussed his struggles with addiction in addition to his fight with throat cancer. Given that James Hetfield has spent two stints in rehab and Metallica was formerly known as “Alcoholica” due to their unrelenting alcohol use, Newsted wasn’t the only band member who overindulged. Newsted was open about his personal battles with addiction and how these contributed to his departure from the group. Additionally, he says that when he tried to take time away from the band’s hectic schedule to deal with his problems, the band opposed him.
One thing I want to straighten out, or just comment on.. the Echobrain thing. That was another project that I took to a certain level. I had had 40 projects in the Chophouse to a level of recording, composition, rehearsal, that kind of thing. This one was just more promising, and I took it to a different place. But it’s not the reason I left Metallica.
The reason I left Metallica is because I was a horrible addict. I was way up against myself, and if I didn’t get some kind of help, I was going to die. And so I just said, ‘You guys, can I have a minute? Please give me a minute.’ And they said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘I would rather live than be in your band. I love being in your band. I think it’s kind of obvious. I wear your shirt every fucking night.’ So it’s like, you know, ‘I wear our shirt every night. I fly my colors every night. I meet every fucking person that wants to meet and represent us for all the fans every fucking night. Don’t tell me I’m not committed. Don’t tell me I’m not loyal. Don’t tell me. I’m always the first one in and last one out. I’m not saying the words. It’s fucking history.’ It’s real.
You can’t give me that minute to get my head straight again. Then I have to go. Not that I don’t love you, and certainly not that I’m not committed to this band.
Although the Metallica camp’s opposition to Newsted‘s intentions for his Echobrain has long been mentioned as a major contributing cause, Newsted clarified this in this conversation.
Echobrain was a thing that I ventured into, our subject for the day, our theme for the day: Adventuring, discovering new things. Giving yourself a chance to see what’s in there. When you do a painting, step back from it and go, ‘I didn’t know that I had that in me.’ You know? That’s the best reward of all, no matter if somebody buys it or not, I don’t give a shit. It’s about, the song comes out and I’m like, ‘Dude I have that in me? Where the fuck did that come from?’ That’s the riches.
So, if you can’t give me a minute to get myself to what I thought you appreciated me for, then [I’m gone.] But it’s not because of Echobrain. It’s just that’s the music that was happening at the time.
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