JASON DOUBTS METALLICA BREAK-UP RUMOURS
Rumors have been swirling that the world's biggest metal band, Metallica, is finished. Those spreading the rumors are citing singer-songwriter James Hetfield's battle with alcohol abuse, the importance of family among the members of the band, and also the departure of bassist Jason Newsted as reasons the band may not continue. Newsted said that those who are saying the band is finished are way off the mark.
"Losing hope or doubting Metallica, stuff like that? I don't see that as a wise move. The things that this band has overcome, they've come past things bigger than this. James is a very strong, strong spirit. He's had some down times, but those kind of things in that type of person usually, I'd say pretty much all the time, make them stronger. And he'll come back and crush everybody's head again. I'm not too worried about that."
As for someone filling his shoes in Metallica, Newsted added, "The Metallica thing, I've heard some of the new music... James is a great bass player. If they need to go in and record an album and have to play bass on it so be it. If they find somebody else, (former Megadeth bassist) Dave Ellefson or Joey Vera (former Armored Saint bassist) or something to come in, somebody who's capable of walking into that level of a band and those kind of egos and that kind of attitude and those things that go on, there's millions and millions of dollars involved."
Newsted said that for him Metallica was never about the money. Jason is currently on the road with his band Echobrain on the Keep Me Alive tour.
