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Jason Newsted

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Jason Newsted

Jason Abraham Curtis Newsted (born March 4, 1963 in Battle Creek, Michigan) is an American bassist best known as the former bassist of Metallica after Cliff Burton's death. As of 2010, with more than fourteen and a half years, he has the longest tenure as Metallica's bassist. After he left Metallica because that prick James Hetfield , he continued with his project Echobrain, played with Ozzy Osbourne and joined heavy metal band Voivod. Newsted uses the pseudonym Jasonic, which serves as both his alias in Voivod and the name of his music publishing company. He is also the founder of the Chophouse Records studio and label based in California.

Career

Flotsam & Jetsam

Main article: Flotsam and Jetsam (band)

The early part of Newsted's music career had him performing bass for Flotsam and Jetsam and their 1986 album Doomsday for the Deceiver. Newsted wrote the majority of lyrics for the album as well.

Joining Metallica

Main article: Metallica

Following the death of Metallica's bassist Cliff Burton in September 1986 on the Europe leg of the Damage Inc. tour, Metallica began a search for a new bassist. Newsted auditioned for the part along with roughly 39 other musicians and in winning the role, his first live performance with Metallica was at the Country Club in Reseda, California. However, initiation into the grieving band did not come easy, as Newsted was often subject to pranks and ridicule which increased as time went on. The fans also had a hard time accepting that Cliff Burton had been replaced. He debuted on the group's album "The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited". This was followed by his first full-length album with Metallica …And Justice for All, which was subject to controversy and criticism for its poor production - among other issues, for its lack of identifiable bass.[1] Newsted claims this was further hazing on the part of Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield, although both Ulrich and Hetfield claim they were also disappointed with the production of the album.[1] In addition, they claim that most/all of Newsted's bass lines closely followed the rhythm guitar lines to the point of being indiscernible from each other.[citation needed] The album nevertheless reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and projected the group to higher success.

Jason Newsted performed on the self-titled Black album (1991), Load (1996) and Reload (1997). The Black Album launched Metallica into world fame. Load and Reload were more rock albums with a slower and deeper sound. The live concerts Live Shit: Binge & Purge and Cunning Stunts were produced in 1993 and 1997, and S&M in 1999.

He has co-written three Metallica songs:

  • "Blackened" (...And Justice For All)
  • "My Friend of Misery" (Metallica)
  • "Where the Wild Things Are" (ReLoad)

Departure from Metallica

On January 17, 2001, as plans were being made for the band to enter the recording studio for the St. Anger album, Newsted announced he had left Metallica. Newsted's statement revealed his departure was based on "private and personal reasons and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love." [2] During a Playboy interview with Metallica, Newsted revealed intentions he wanted to release an album with Echobrain. Hetfield was against the idea and said, "When someone does a side project, it takes away from the strength of Metallica."[3] Newsted countered his statement by citing Hetfield's contributions to other musical outlets. Hetfield replied, "My name isn't on those records. And I'm not out trying to sell them" and pondered questions such as "Where would it end? Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts? Is it his band?"[3].

Newsted says he has never regretted leaving the band. "I tell you very honestly, 1 billion percent, I have never regretted leaving Metallica. It was the right thing for everyone. It was the right thing to do for the camp, that’s it. I’ve never told anyone that I wanted to go back or anything like that, not once. I made up my mind. It was not an easy thing to do, but it was something I had to do. I thought about it very much before I pulled the trigger and because of that, I have never looked back. The past is where its supposed to be.” It was stated in the film Some Kind of Monster that there was a rumor for Newsted to possibly rejoin the band, but it was proven as false. [4]

On April 4, 2009, Newsted joined Metallica for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.[5][6] He also performed three songs at the event, "Master Of Puppets","Enter Sandman", and "Train Kept A-Rollin'" with Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett, and Trujillo, and Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, Ron Wood, and Flea.

Ozzy Osbourne Band

Main article: Ozzy Osbourne

Newsted joined Canadian thrash metal band Voivod in 2002. Coincidentally, he was also Robert Trujillo's replacement in Osbourne's band (having switched sides) during Ozzfest 2003, which included Voivod as a Second Stage act. During an MTV interview, both Osbourne and Newsted showed extreme enthusiasm in writing a new album together, with Osbourne comparing Newsted to "a young Geezer Butler." However, this would not come to fruition as Newsted left Osbourne upon finishing tour duties in late 2003.[7][8] He would soon be replaced by Rob Zombie bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson.[9]

Newsted then focused solely on Voivod where, much like Echobrain, the group was funded entirely through him. They recorded two albums before Newsted's participation in Rock Star Supernova, a supergroup created through the reality television series, Rock Star: Supernova, in 2006.

Voivod

Main article: Voivod (band)

The last incarnation of Voivod featured three of the four founding members: Denis Bélanger (aka Snake, vocals), Denis D'Amour (aka Piggy, guitars), and Michel Langevin (aka Away, drums) along with Jason Newsted (aka Jasonic) on bass guitar. Guitarist Denis D'Amour died at the age of 45 on August 26, 2005 due to complications from colon cancer.[10] Their most recent record is Katorz (which is an "alternative" way of writing "quatorze", fourteen in French), released in July 2006. The album is based around riffs found on the laptop of guitarist Denis D'Amour. Just prior to his death, he left instructions for his fellow bandmates on how to use them.

A December 2008 update on Voivod's website noted that Newsted played "all the bass tracks" on their latest album Infini, which was released on June 23, 2009.[11][12]

Rock Star Supernova

Main article: Rock Star Supernova

Supernova formed the basis of the second season of the Rock Star television program on CBS in the quest to find a lead singer. The show began online on the Rock Star web site on MSN on Monday, July 3, 2006 with an Internet exclusive weekly episode and premiered on CBS on that Wednesday, July 5. Votes were cast via the Rock Star website. On September 13, 2006, Lukas Rossi was crowned the winner.

Shoulder injury

On October 23, 2006, Newsted was injured while attempting to catch a falling bass amp head. The accident resulted in a torn anterior labrum in his left shoulder and a rotator cuff and biceps tear in the right. He was scheduled for immediate surgery, and underwent a lengthy rehab process. During this time he was unable to play, and began to express himself through painting.[13] On January 4, 2007, he was back playing his bass again.[citation needed]

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

On April 4, 2009, Newsted was present with Metallica and played with the band alongside current bassist Robert Trujillo at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland.[14] It was his first performance with the band in nearly 9 years, their last performance together having taken place at the 2000 VH1 Music Awards. Both Newsted and Trujillo performed onstage at the same time, which was a first for the band. He also gave an emotional speech and was met with enormous applause.

Art career

While recovering from his shoulder injury, Jason found solace through painting. Jason has turned out hundreds of large original works of art over the last half a decade.[15] Jason Newsted says that he went "from making crazy and colorful music to making crazy and colorful paintings."[16] His first gallery show is scheduled to open on May 4, 2010 at Micaëla Gallery in San Francisco.[17]

Equipment

Bass guitars

  • Aria Pro II SB1000 (originally owned by Cliff Burton, used on the "Master Of Puppets" tour, and now resides in Metallica's current recording studio)
  • Fender 1958 Precision Bass (recording/studio bass) - Sunburst w/anodized gold
  • Caption1
    Caption1
  • Caption2
    Caption2

ickguard (4-string)

  • Sadowsky - Black Vintage with Ash body
  • Sadowsky - Black Vintage (x2)
  • Sadowsky - PJ - Cherry Sunburst and Caramel Sunburst
  • Sadowsky - Vintage - Lake Placid Blue (4 string and 5 strings)
  • Sadowsky - Vintage - Cherry Sunburst
  • Sadowsky - Black Vintage - 24 Fret (x2)
  • Alembic - Elan - Converted to Series II electronics - Formerly featured J/P/J pickup configuration (can be seen in this form during the ...And Justice For All tour) - Black (5-string)
  • Alembic - Europa - Series II electronics - Black (5-, 6- and 10-string)
  • Alembic - Spoiler - Converted to Series II electronics - Black (4-string)
  • Alembic - Persuader - Converted to Series II electronics - Black (4-string) - Formerly sporting a clear gloss natural finish and two J-Bass pickups, it was repainted black when Jason sent the bass back to Alembic to have Series II electronics installed; it is erroneously referred to as a Spoiler, though Jason DID have a black Spoiler made for him as well and both basses are nearly identical; the only telltale sign being the location of the bird-shaped bridge.
  • ESP Horizon Bass - Red (4-string) - Jason added a Metallica logo decal and a decal of the Jump In The Fire demon.
  • ESP B-1 - Black (4-string)
  • 1981 Spector NS-2 - Black, used in studio only (4-string) - According to Jason, this bass once belonged to Phil Soussan.
  • Stuart Spector Design JN-4, JN-5, and JN-6 Signature Models - Transparent black satin (4-, 5-, and 6-string) - Extremely rare, modified SD body shape, quilted maple top, piezo pickup option, and red fiber optic side markers. Jason used these basses live from 1994-1995.
  • Guild acoustic bass
  • Wal MKII - Black w. Gold hardware (4- & 5-string)
  • Hamer 12-string bass (used on Wherever I May Roam "and other minor key pick-bass stuff," according to Jason)
  • Zon Legacy Elite fretless 5-string & Sonus Special 5-string
  • Rickenbacker 4003 - White (4-string)
  • Dingwall Voodoo Bass

Effects

  • Boss Flanger BF-2
  • MXR Phase 100
  • Mu-Tron III Bass Pedal
  • Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI
  • Tech 21 XXL overdrive
  • Korg G-5 Bass Synth Processor
  • Electro Harmonix Big Muff
  • Alesis Midiverb II
  • BBE Sonic Maximizer
  • Morley Power Wah Boost

Amplifiers

Philanthropy

In 2004, Newsted signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underserved public schools throughout the U.S.A. Newsted sits on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.

Discography

With Echobrain
  • Echobrain (2002)
  • Glean (2004) (writing credit on one song, producer)
With Flotsam and Jetsam
With Gov't Mule
With IR8/Sexoturica
With Metallica
With Moss Brothers
  • Electricitation (2001)
With Papa Wheelie
With Rock Star Supernova
With Sepultura


With Unkle
With Voivod

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.oocities.com/hetfieldinter/metplayboy.html
  2. ^ Basham, David (1996-01-17). "Bassist Jason Newsted Leaves Metallica". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
  3. ^ a b "The Playboy Interview–Metallica". Playboy. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Harris, Chris (2001-01-17). "Jason Newsted On Leaving Metallica: "I Have Never Looked Back"". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
  5. ^ Lindsay, Andrew (2009-03-28). "Newsted to reunite with Metallica at Hall of Fame". Stereokill.net. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  6. ^ "Jason Newsted to rejoin Metallica". idiomag. 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  7. ^ Downey, Ryan J. Ozzy, Newsted Lovin' Each Other MTV.com (March 18, 2003). Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  8. ^ "Metallica timeline January 3, 2002–March 19, 2003". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  9. ^ Downey, Ryan J. Jason Newsted Leaves Ozzy Osbourne, Is Replaced By Rob Zombie Bassist MTV.com (December 4, 2003). Retriever March 9, 2008.
  10. ^ http://www.theendrecords.com - Voivod (Canada)
  11. ^ http://www.voivod.net/
  12. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118349
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf2_jnLwC9E&feature=player_embedded
  14. ^ Blabbermouth.net (2009-03-21). "HAMMETT Says JASON NEWSTED Will Perform With METALLICA At ROCK HALL Induction". Blabbermouth.net. It will mark Jason's first performance with the band in nine years - their last performance together taking place at the 2000 VH1 Music Awards.
  15. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=138330&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blabbermouth+%28Blabbermouth.net%27s+Daily+Headlines%29
  16. ^ Ex-Metallica Bassist Jason Newsted's SF Art Exhibit
  17. ^ http://www.micaela.com/newsted.html
Preceded by Metallica Bassist
1986-2001 		Succeeded by
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