KirK HammeT

Instrument:    Guitar 
   Specialty:    Kick-ass, full-blown lead guitar vocals
    Birthday:    November 18, 1962
        From:    San Francisco, California
        Vitals:    5'8" & 134 lbs; brown hair & brown eyes

Marital status:    Happily Divorced
          Drives:    Land Cruiser, mountain bike, '55 Dodge Coronet,
                       '66 Mercedes Benz
          Drinks:    Martinis, Sky Vodka, green tea
             Eats:    Sushi, Mexican food, pasta, Indian food

     Sports teams:   None ("I hate sports!")
  Before Metallica:   Played in Exodus, drank a lot
                Likes:    Mountain biking, tattoos, piercing, collecting
                            old horror-movie stuff, cigars, philosophy,
                            H.P. Lovecraft
          Listens to:   Jimi Hendrix, UFO, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple. Led Zeppelin, Kiss,
                            John Coltrane, Goul, Mule, Chet Baker, Prez Prado, AIC, David Bowie,
                            U2, King Crimson, Robert Johnson
             Heroes:    Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Jimi Hendrix, Chet Baker, Diane Arbus,
                            John Coltrane, Charles Bukowski, Edward Munch, Joel Peter Whitkin
      First concert:    Day on the Green with the Eagles, Steve Miller, Heart, and Foreigner
Describes self as:    Smelly, ugly, happy, obsessive, progressive, curious
 
 

Quote: "My guitars are my umbilical cord.  They're directly wired into my head."

What guitar equipment does Kirk use?
Various ESP, along with various vintage guitars, and Dean Markely strings. Mesa Boogie amp.

Has Kirk recorded for anyone besides Metallica?
Kirk's old Exodus demos have been seen floating around, and he has also recorded a track with Les
Claypool and Mike Bordin set for possible future release (by Primus?). He also produced demos for Death
Angel, and he has also recorded solos for Pushead's band, Septic Death.

The liner notes say: James--guitar, and Kirk--guitar. What does Kirk do?
Kirk's duties on the albums are mostly for the full-blown lead guitar solos. On Load, Kirk's role as guitar
player has expanded to playing a more important role in the overall sound. He plays rhythm guitar as well.

What does like to do in his off time?
Kirk Hammett likes to mountain bike and collect horror movie stuff, along with piercing assorted body
parts. He likes to buy clothes and hats. Relax, have a cigar and drink a martini with friends, while having
good conversation. Also likes sex.

Does Kirk have a tattoo?
Kirk's tattoo was a present to himself for Christmas 1995. It reads: "Made in SF 11-18-62." It's wrapped
around his belly button. He also has Hot Rod flames on his hips.

Who does he credit as his influences?
Jimi Hendrix, UFO, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, and Joe Satriani.
 

"A life lived unexplored is a life not worth living."
-- Kirk Hammet