JasoN NewsteD

Instrument:    Bass (equipment list)
   Specialty:    Making sure Metallica thumps harder than ever
    Birthday:    March 4, 1963
        From:    Battle Creek, Michigan
        Vitals:    5'9" & 150 lbs ; brown/red hair & blue eyes

Marital status:    Single
          Drives:    '94 Land Cruiser
          Drinks:    Bordeaux, Barolo, barbaresco wines; Evian
             Eats:    Anything BBQ-ed

         Sports teams:    NBA: Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls;
                                NFL: Detroit Lions, L.A. Raiders
     Before Metallica:    Flotsam and Jetsam
Pre-Metallica career:    Burger-flipper, pizza-maker, and truck-driver
                    Likes:    Mountain biking, shootin' hoops, playing
                                and listening to music
              Listens to:    Kiss, Black Sabbath, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray
                                Vaughan, Machine Head, Fugees,  Sly and Family Stone, Sepultura
                                and  Wes Montgomery
          First concert:    Ted Nugent, 1975, South Bend, Indiana
                 Heroes:    Gene Simmons, Al Pacino, B.B. King, my father, Zach Harmen
    Describes self as:    Energetic, caring, goofy
 

Quote: "I went to see Metallica when they came to Phoenix.  It freaked me out.  I stood in front of Cliff in total awe fo teh way he played.  I became a fan instantly."

Has he recorded for anyone other than Metallica?
Jason has many side projects. His former band, Flotsam & Jetsam, also released two albums with Jason's
work on them.

Why was with Jason saying that he'd rather be in an all Elvis cover band?
Jason's comments were about the lack of bass presence on ...And Justice For All. He has also said that he
would be in Metallica until he is physically (or mentally) unable to be.

What is Flotsam & Jetsam?
Flotsam & Jetsam was Jason's first band, formed in Scottsdale, AZ, who travelled from Phoenix to L.A. and
recorded an album with Jason before he took over the bass duties in Metallica.

When was Jason's last gig with Flotsam & Jetsam?
Oct.31 , 1986--Halloween night.

What was Jason's first show with Metallica?
Jason's first gig with Metallica was opening for Metal Church at The Country Club in Reseda on the 11th of
November 1986. His second gig was the very next night at Jezabelle's in Anaheim.

Is Jason's brother really a teacher?
Yes. Jason's brother, Tim Newsted, teaches elementary school, and has since 1978.

Why did Jason cut his hair?
It was fried from concert lighting, smoke, etc. Also, it was just time for a change.

What is Tommy's Joint?
Tommy's Joint is a Hoffbrau (meat, potatoes and beer!) located in San Francisco, and was a hangout of
Metallica's. It is also the place where Jason was asked to join the band.

What's going on at the end of the "Roam" video, and why is Jason being attacked with pies?
When touring, Jason's (and other band members) birthdays are celebrated by drenching with pies and other
available materials.

"I still play music for the same reasons as when I first started; for the energy, the
feeling, the interaction with others. Not for the money, ego or greed."
                                    -- Jason Newsted