Post by Loki on Oct 15, 2003 6:07:29 GMT -5
There are few bass players who match the intensity, charisma, and ability of Voivod's Jason Newsted. And few other performers rock as hard as he does.
Jason Newsted was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on March 4, 1963. He was raised in Niles, Michigan and at the age of 14, his parents relocated to Kalamazoo, Michigan, 4 miles away from the Gibson Guitar Company. According to Jason, his first reason (and only reason) for picking up the bass was Kiss' Gene Simmons. He was Jason's first idol. After a first unsuccessful attempt to become a bass player, he picked the bass up again a few years later when he recieved his first bass guitar. Jason worked as a burger-flipper at a local fast food joint to buy a better bass, then hooked up with local band "Gangster" with guitar player Tim Hamlin, who became a sort of mentor to Jason.
To the distain of his parents, Jason dropped out of high school 3 months away from graduation in order to persue his music career with Gangster (He has since gotten his GED and does not reccommend anyone quitting school). He left home to live with them .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 Kelly, he jammed in a band called Paradox, which didn't amount to much. Eventually he moved in with David-Smith in Scottsdale, Arizona. There, they dug up guitarists Mark Vasquez and Kevin Horton. The band called themselves "Dogz". 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 liaison, and lyricist.
Soon, F&J, friends of Brian Slagel (who also made bands like Metallica and Slayer famous), landed a spot on Slagel's compilation "Metal Massacre" which also included a song by a very young Metallica. F&J got a deal with Metal Blade Records and recorded their first album and only album with Jason, Doomsday For The Deceiver. On Halloween night, 1986, Jason played his last gig with Flotsam & Jetsam.
On the night of September 26th, 1986, Metallica's young bass player, the virtuoso master of the "4-string Motherf**ker", Cliff Burton was crushed to death when the band's tour bus skid on black ice and rolled 4 times. Jason was auditioned as his replacement along with 40 others, including Les Claypool (arguably the best bassist of our time). Never the less, Jason landed the spot as he learned all of Cliff's parts but stayed true to his own unique style. His audition stretched 2 days and on the night of the second audition, Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield popped the question at a local bar-
"Would you like a job?"-as Jason was about to jump for joy Lars added-"We want you to be part of our road crew."
Jason was upset, but a few seconds later, Lars and James erupted with laughter and Lars told Jason "Just f**king, you have the spot, we want you to be the new bassist for our band"
Jason's response? A yell of joy that startled the whole bar that they were in.
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. Jason stunned and delighted fans with his amazing energy and love for the music as well as the fans. On the "Cunning Stunts" DVD he can be seen up close to the fans during "Fade to Black" his head over the barricade, singing to a beautiful girl.
After 15 years of service with Metallica, Jason decided his stint in Metallica was over due to creative conflicts with James Hetfield and physical injury due to the band's strenuous touring schedule.
Since his departure from Metallica, Jason has kept himself busy recording with his band Echobrain as well as producing bands on his own CHOPHOUSE Records. He also is the new bass player for Canadian Experimental Metal Legends Voivod, and the King of Metal himself, the Prince of ****ing Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne.
Jason Newsted is considered one of the most talented bass players in the world of heavy metal, in his 20-year career he has played in many great bands, including the two biggest metal acts of all time-Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, yet his future is brighter still.
--(Many thanks to Jared Spears for writing this up for this site) |:-)