Post by sid67 on Nov 17, 2016 0:31:08 GMT
Here's a piece I wrote for That Metal Station while it was still only a news site. Even though the article is about two years ago, the subject is still relevant....
To say that Jason Newsted has gotten the raw end of the deal would be an understatement. For almost thirty years, he has been taking a beating in the public eye as "The Guy Who Never Replaced Cliff".
It all began in late 1986 when he joined Metallica. Hetfield, Ulrich, and Hammet were still grieving the loss of Cliff Burton by the time Newsted auditioned for the band. The three of them were drowning their sorrows with booze, and taking their anger and depression out on their new bassist. Many people thought it was too soon for the band to carry on after Burton's untimely death, but they forged ahead as if it would make things any better....it did not, unfortunately. Newsted found himself the target of physical and mental abuse in what he once described as an extended "hazing" period. He was constantly reminded of how he "was not Cliff", or how he would never be. Countless pranks, fist-fights, and insults plagued his life on the road during the first few tours, but it hardly mattered to him. He was literally starstruck, being in what was considered the biggest heavy metal band at the time. Because of that, he took their abuse, and did what he was told to do. after all, he was a big rock star.
It wasn't always the band that gave Newsted a hard time. Metallica fans all over the world expressed anger and disappointment that Metallica even considered carrying on without their fallen brother. Even though the band played out to sold out arenas, they still received a cold reception to their new lineup. More often than not, Newsted had gotten booed by the crowd when he attempted to play a bass guitar solo. Once again, the unfair comparisons to his late predecessor flew at him like a black cloud in a stiff breeze. It was as if the audience still loved the band, but hated the new guy...just for being the new guy. To his credit, Jason Newsted overcame a lot of obstacles to be a member of Metallica. The amount of material he had to learn in such a short time was a tremendous task to accept and I (the author) actually admire him for that. Unfortunately, the public did not. They still ridiculed him, calling him "Jason New-Kid". For all his efforts, he was never going to be as respected as the man he replaced.
In 1987, Metallica released a self produced EP of classic punk and NWOBHM songs on a collection known as "Garage Days Re-Re Visited: The $5.98 EP". This recording gave many a lot of hope for the "New Guy" because the bass guitar was prominent in the mix. On many of the songs, Newsted's bass was thunderous, and brutal sounding. It seemed to show the world that Metallica's new bassist could indeed kick ass. As the band continued their relentless touring, the fans seemed to accept Newsted's presence, but they still never gave him the respect he deserved.
In 1988, Metallica released "And Justice For All", and it became clear that the promise that was shown on the "Garage Days" EP was short lived. Although the album was considered a thrash metal masterpiece, music critics and fans all said the same thing..."Where's the bass?" Newsted was literally buried in the mix, his tone lost in the low end of Hetfield's guitars. Since neither the band or Flemming Rasmussen, the producer, did anything to solve the issue before the album's release, it was widely considered a cutting insult to Newsted by musicians and fans alike. To this day, many still call it "Jason's Day Off".
The 1990s began for Metallica with a change in how they did things in the studio. They began to work with producer Bob Rock in an effort to polish their sound, and try to make up for the shabby post production on "Justice". Special attention was paid to how well the bass guitar sat in the mix of heavy guitars, but Hetfield and Ulrich still insisted on doing all of the writing. Just about every idea Newsted brought to the band was dismissed offhandedly. It was as if they were saying, "Look...we write the songs, and you just play the bass." Newsted didn't like it, but he dealt with it anyway. Why not? He was a big rock star. The "Black Album" was released, and Metallica had finally reached the mainstream success that had eluded them for so long. That success however came at a cost. Throughout the 90s, Metallica continued to make platinum selling albums with Bob Rock producing, while the fans became divided. Many bought the albums, and many of their long time loyalist cursed them for "Selling Out". During that time, Jason Newsted was starting to feel the long term effects of his "second class" status within the band.
By the early 2000's Newsted stood on shaky ground with the band. He was frustrated with the creative process that did not include him. He fought to get even a small riff to his credit, and was shot down at every turn. Again he was reminded that he was "just the bass player" being told what to play and what not to play. Seeking a creative outlet, he began working with outside projects such as Echobrain and Voivod, only to find that his efforts angered Hetfield and Ulrich. He was given an ultimatum..."It's either them or us..." Having finally given up, Newsted left Metallica as they were working on what was to become the ill-fated "St Anger" album. Along with Echobrain and Voivod, he went on to play for Ozzy Osbourne's touring band. Sadly, none of these projects lasted for very long.
Jason Newsted tried once again to make a name for himself by putting together his own band, "Newsted", and managed to put out the "Heavy Music" album in 2013. Again, he was overshadowed by his history. The album was met with lukewarm response, and the tours were lacklustre. It looked like no one was too impressed by a band led by "That Guy That Got Kicked out of Metallica". In late 2014, Newsted's band went on hiatus, with little to no hopes for the future. One can only wonder what he will do next. Will he keep trying to make his own music? Will he become a high profile side man? Who Knows? Does anyone even care anymore?
At this point in time, I almost feel sorry for Jason Newsted. He has spent his entire career as someone's flunky. Now that he has tied to step out on his own, his efforts have fallen short. One would think that a guy who got as big as he did would have done better with all the experience he's gained over the past thirty years. Now he is stuck in a curious place where his skills as a musician and songwriter pale in comparison to his "name recognition". He's too famous to play smaller clubs, but not good enough to play major arenas....I sure as hell do not envy his current position...
Your thoughts on this?
To say that Jason Newsted has gotten the raw end of the deal would be an understatement. For almost thirty years, he has been taking a beating in the public eye as "The Guy Who Never Replaced Cliff".
It all began in late 1986 when he joined Metallica. Hetfield, Ulrich, and Hammet were still grieving the loss of Cliff Burton by the time Newsted auditioned for the band. The three of them were drowning their sorrows with booze, and taking their anger and depression out on their new bassist. Many people thought it was too soon for the band to carry on after Burton's untimely death, but they forged ahead as if it would make things any better....it did not, unfortunately. Newsted found himself the target of physical and mental abuse in what he once described as an extended "hazing" period. He was constantly reminded of how he "was not Cliff", or how he would never be. Countless pranks, fist-fights, and insults plagued his life on the road during the first few tours, but it hardly mattered to him. He was literally starstruck, being in what was considered the biggest heavy metal band at the time. Because of that, he took their abuse, and did what he was told to do. after all, he was a big rock star.
It wasn't always the band that gave Newsted a hard time. Metallica fans all over the world expressed anger and disappointment that Metallica even considered carrying on without their fallen brother. Even though the band played out to sold out arenas, they still received a cold reception to their new lineup. More often than not, Newsted had gotten booed by the crowd when he attempted to play a bass guitar solo. Once again, the unfair comparisons to his late predecessor flew at him like a black cloud in a stiff breeze. It was as if the audience still loved the band, but hated the new guy...just for being the new guy. To his credit, Jason Newsted overcame a lot of obstacles to be a member of Metallica. The amount of material he had to learn in such a short time was a tremendous task to accept and I (the author) actually admire him for that. Unfortunately, the public did not. They still ridiculed him, calling him "Jason New-Kid". For all his efforts, he was never going to be as respected as the man he replaced.
In 1987, Metallica released a self produced EP of classic punk and NWOBHM songs on a collection known as "Garage Days Re-Re Visited: The $5.98 EP". This recording gave many a lot of hope for the "New Guy" because the bass guitar was prominent in the mix. On many of the songs, Newsted's bass was thunderous, and brutal sounding. It seemed to show the world that Metallica's new bassist could indeed kick ass. As the band continued their relentless touring, the fans seemed to accept Newsted's presence, but they still never gave him the respect he deserved.
In 1988, Metallica released "And Justice For All", and it became clear that the promise that was shown on the "Garage Days" EP was short lived. Although the album was considered a thrash metal masterpiece, music critics and fans all said the same thing..."Where's the bass?" Newsted was literally buried in the mix, his tone lost in the low end of Hetfield's guitars. Since neither the band or Flemming Rasmussen, the producer, did anything to solve the issue before the album's release, it was widely considered a cutting insult to Newsted by musicians and fans alike. To this day, many still call it "Jason's Day Off".
The 1990s began for Metallica with a change in how they did things in the studio. They began to work with producer Bob Rock in an effort to polish their sound, and try to make up for the shabby post production on "Justice". Special attention was paid to how well the bass guitar sat in the mix of heavy guitars, but Hetfield and Ulrich still insisted on doing all of the writing. Just about every idea Newsted brought to the band was dismissed offhandedly. It was as if they were saying, "Look...we write the songs, and you just play the bass." Newsted didn't like it, but he dealt with it anyway. Why not? He was a big rock star. The "Black Album" was released, and Metallica had finally reached the mainstream success that had eluded them for so long. That success however came at a cost. Throughout the 90s, Metallica continued to make platinum selling albums with Bob Rock producing, while the fans became divided. Many bought the albums, and many of their long time loyalist cursed them for "Selling Out". During that time, Jason Newsted was starting to feel the long term effects of his "second class" status within the band.
By the early 2000's Newsted stood on shaky ground with the band. He was frustrated with the creative process that did not include him. He fought to get even a small riff to his credit, and was shot down at every turn. Again he was reminded that he was "just the bass player" being told what to play and what not to play. Seeking a creative outlet, he began working with outside projects such as Echobrain and Voivod, only to find that his efforts angered Hetfield and Ulrich. He was given an ultimatum..."It's either them or us..." Having finally given up, Newsted left Metallica as they were working on what was to become the ill-fated "St Anger" album. Along with Echobrain and Voivod, he went on to play for Ozzy Osbourne's touring band. Sadly, none of these projects lasted for very long.
Jason Newsted tried once again to make a name for himself by putting together his own band, "Newsted", and managed to put out the "Heavy Music" album in 2013. Again, he was overshadowed by his history. The album was met with lukewarm response, and the tours were lacklustre. It looked like no one was too impressed by a band led by "That Guy That Got Kicked out of Metallica". In late 2014, Newsted's band went on hiatus, with little to no hopes for the future. One can only wonder what he will do next. Will he keep trying to make his own music? Will he become a high profile side man? Who Knows? Does anyone even care anymore?
At this point in time, I almost feel sorry for Jason Newsted. He has spent his entire career as someone's flunky. Now that he has tied to step out on his own, his efforts have fallen short. One would think that a guy who got as big as he did would have done better with all the experience he's gained over the past thirty years. Now he is stuck in a curious place where his skills as a musician and songwriter pale in comparison to his "name recognition". He's too famous to play smaller clubs, but not good enough to play major arenas....I sure as hell do not envy his current position...
Your thoughts on this?