Jason Newsted on Bob Rock Pushing Metallica during the Black Album (Pt 1 Of Talk Toomey Interview)

Jason discusses his latest unboxing video of the massive Black Album Box Set and unveils that Lars keeps everything Metallica has ever put out in a vault. He reflects on working with Bob Rock who he claims to have the best ears of everyone, how he brought Metallica together and pushed James Hetfield.
Jason Newsted discusses all things Metallica's Black Album with Joshua Toomey on The Talk Toomey Podcast in Part 1 of the 4 Part Series.
PT 2: "My Friend Of Misery" and Wearing Metallica Shirts Onstage - knot1.co/NewstedPt2
PT 3: Day On The Green '91 and Moscow '91 - knot1.co/NewstedPt3
PT 4: 'The Black Album' "We Did Something Very Special" knot1.co/NewstedPt4
Full Interview will be available on 9/9/21. Subscribe now to Talk Toomey on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher and don't miss an episode.
Pre-order Metallica's Blacklist:
www.metallica.com/the-metalli...
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[@AdamsMusicandFun]

I saw Metallica on the Black album tour. First time I had a front row seat. Jason played on my side of the stage. I left that night and told everyone that the band wasn't giving him enough credit. My friends and I yelled Jason's name whenever possible, and he definitely played toward us. He handed me a pick at the end of the show, and actually pulled his hand back when someone else tried to grab it. He said, "no, it's for this guy." What a good dude. Interviews since then have done nothing but confirm he has his head on straight. Any bitterness an ordinary person would have, he just waves off. I'm happy he was in the band and made a dream come true, so now he can chase any other dream he has.

[@sbentsen2714]

Oh wow that's so cool 😄 thanks for sharing

[@chevelle1]

(Cliff era aside) Jason was just as much Metallica as James, Kirk and Lars imo. For me, the band after Jason has been 75% Metallica. No offense to Rob. Great bassist and seemingly good dude, but I see him with Metallica and think he’s a road bassist/fill in for them, even though he’s been in the band longer than Jason was. Oh well, we still have a lot of years and albums to enjoy Jason’s Metallica.

[@Laburnus]

​@@chevelle1 it not a problem of Jason not being in the band. It the duo urlich and hetfield that does most of the music. It was Rock that was pushing the band to it's limits. And pretty much after he left after the catastrophy st anger was, the guys got stuck in their own sauce.

[@LOZUPONEJ]

Jason was more ‘Metallica’ than the members before him.

[@bassman494]

Great story and point-of-view. Thanks brother for sharing that!

[@Grimeyhoob]

Love Jason and love his acknowledgement of Lars vision for the band. Everyone loves ripping on Lars drumming but the reality is there wouldn’t be a Metallica today if it wasn’t for Lars. His vision for the band drove Metallica to the heights they enjoy today. And doing that is not easy otherwise anyone would do it.

[@muriloninja]

His management of the band far exceeds his drumming capability, he is a terrible drummer..he really is!

[@Grimeyhoob]

@@muriloninja That’s your opinion. There wouldn’t be a Metallica without both Lars management and his drumming and musicianship. The guy is responsible for Metallica’s songwriting - which takes a lot of musical skill. Why don’t you start a band and see where you go? Then after you have succeeded to Metallica’s level - you can critique Lars as much as you want

[@BegetterVIIEVEN]

No wonder Metallica is what it is today 😂

[@lightfeather9953]

@@Grimeyhoob by your logic, we should ignore your opinion because you aren't famous. Btw what's your point by saying "that's your opinion"? As if you're not giving an opinion as well? Weird.

[@LDN76]

He had only ONE thing in mind: MONEY. Thats it

[@iasknoonewithkevin]

I once asked J after a Chophouse gig in '16, "What is your key to happiness?" He told me, "REPELL = Read. Eat. Play. Exercise. Laugh. Love." REPELL is my current license plate. What a hero. Nice chat, Josh & KNOTFEST. Hopefully down the line, I get to share the same pleasure! Stay heavy. Kev

[@iasknoonewithkevin]

@@ohio "One of the"? ;)

[@joshua.toomey]

Thanks!!!

[@iasknoonewithkevin]

@@Fister_of_Muppets Keep tryin', kid.

[@FanFanBessie2]

That's pretty good stuff...😀👍

[@mungofinalfi4480]

@@Fister_of_Muppets He wasn't referring to himself.

[@tonybp]

I love Jason. No disrespect to Rob, he's a beast playing the bass and can play anything and any style, but Jason was a great fit for Metallica. The energy he gave to the band was awesome, especially in live shows. When I hear somebody say "give it 100%" I think Jason Newsted.

[@jlhjedi]

I saw Metallica in VA beach in the mid 90's and still remember being in awe of Jason. His energy was unparalleled. As the show marched on you could see the other members flagging and Jason song after song just raging. I knew as I watched him that I was watching something legendary. I have never seen anyone like him since. He is legitimately a rock god, certified legendary.

[@jeffc1753]

Too bad Lars and James never could accept him the way the fans did.

[@KINGDUDE74]

True, but the Jason now isn't the Jason then. He's to full of himself now.

[@lucasoheyze4597]

Metallica's had three great, very different, bassists.

[@TheGgreen100]

I mean this in the best possible way... Jason Newstead's highly energetic personality reminds me of Robin Williams. He's the Robin Williams of the heavy metal world. Always great to hear his take on stuff too. He has a great memory and a cool perspective.

[@TreR90]

I was just thinking that!

[@Danjoker.]

I love the fact that Jason puts the same amount of energy during his interviews as much as his live shows with Metallica 😂

[@MunkeeFWRrng]

His passion is almost a physical thing. You can feel it like an electric current. Pure unadulterated enthusiasm.

[@zorlac72]

I could listen to Jason all day long. 😎👊

[@jartor666]

Me too

[@firemedic105ns]

Same.

[@dalstar925]

Same. I wish he was out there more. He’s an interesting cat. You can tell he’s still a fan. Love it

[@jasonelliott7977]

He’s very insightful and was always the most level headed of the members when he was in the band.

[@nevernotdead8095]

Yea...He's my new Morgan Freeman.

[@amatije]

Love how Jason explained everything into the tiny details,so everyone can understand. Even, non musicians. Thanks for this great interview. Eagerly awaiting for parts to come🙂

[@mattiasbjorklund9520]

3 1-2-3 (counts fingers) 3

[@Locoandchooch]

Jason doing the unboxing was great. Loved his reaction.

[@Crimson28]

He’d never do it, but I’d love to read a memoir written by Jason

[@lukewoodworth2101]

Best part about jason is that he always puts the fans as his priority even when he's not in metallica anymore

[@matthewjerome3496]

Probably the best interview I've seen with Jason. Love that dude.

[@RolandDeschain1]

The stuff about Lars hoarding Metallica's memorabilia slayed me.

[@mayorofthenonsense]

Totally get his point about Bob Rock and the Black Album. You watch that documentary footage and it becomes very clear - Bob knew exactly what he was doing there. Not only did he have the ear to recognize the band’s strengths and the vision to see what they could become, but he had the ability to guide them both individually and as a group toward that vision. In every situation, he knew what was working and what wasn’t, he could hear the difference between 99% vs 100% and he wouldn’t stop pushing until he was convinced that the band had fulfilled its potential with every part of every song.

[@murphyr31]

Jason’s passion is and has always been infectious and I admire him for it. He gave me goosebumps in this interview. Be well “Harvester of Sorrow”

[@tog2842]

Really love Jason being so generous with his time, especially for smaller channels. Great work all around guys, good interview

[@MunkeeFWRrng]

He’s a real one. No ego, just passion and a genuinely sweet guy.

[@AD1978leo]

Damn it's good to hear from Jason again!

[@scottbagwell9144]

The last time time I saw Metallica was with Jason on the Black tour. I always saw J as the one of the fans who got to be in the band. The passion he played with was infectious. Nothing against Metallica today but I started listening and following Metallica back in 86. My very first concert was Justice. So, Jason was my favorite member though I'm a guitar player and Metallica made me want to start playing.

[@hulksmash8159]

Cool story. Any proof to back up your claims?

[@erikboris5029]

@@hulksmash8159 There's nothing far fetched about this story whatsoever

[@jvon3885]

@@hulksmash8159 proof to what claim? That he seen them in concert? This comment is the most overused comment on YT to date. I seen Metallica in 96 at Lollapalooza Jane's City, and then at the Sanatarium Tour in St Louis. Let me guess you would need concrete evidence to prove my claims is seeing a band because there's no way that millions of ppl have seen them. Dumbfounded.

[@jvon3885]

I could only dream of seeing them on the justice tour.

[@hulksmash8159]

@@jvon3885 You can lie all you want.

[@technewsfortechnoobs]

I had the pleasure of meeting the band back during the black album tour several times. I played guitar and the only person I ever claimed as an influence in my playing was James....and this was in the late 80's when everyone was claiming Eddie, Yngwie, and Steve Vai as influences. Had the joy of telling this to James, who was very humble about it all and just thanked me genuinely for the support and appreciation of what he did. And when I met Jason, I was honest with him and told him that when I first started playing ANY instrument, it was a bass (because my grandmother accidentally bought a bass instead of a guitar), and even then the only influence I had was Cliff. Jason, ever the stand-up guy he is and was, just said "Hey, if you're gonna have an influence, he's one of the best you can have. He influenced me a lot!" He took so much crap and hazing while he was with them like a champ, and Lars took so much crap from the fans demonizing him for what he did....but without him, we likely wouldn't HAVE a Black Album at all.

[@manicmurph]

Jason has an awesome way of explaining these old stories of Bob Rock and talking about the making of the albums.

[@bluecomet1109]

Bob Rock def pushed metallica especially kirk to greatness (not that they weren't great already). But he pushed kirk to get the best solos out of him, not just creatively but soundwise as well. Bob was like a coach of a football team trying to win the super bowl

[@alexmayhew8989]

Bob destroyed Metallica

[@TheMrHavish]

@Blue Comet. Yeah I agree completely. People say he destroyed Metallica, but forget that THEY CHOSE to work with him. I remember Kirk Hammett saying that he noticed fans were getting bored sitting through their longer songs on the ...And Justice For All Tour and they decided to shorten their songs and go with a different approach.

[@bluecomet1109]

@@TheMrHavish I'm half and half. Bob definitely changed metallica (commercial instead of underground), but you can't deny the black album is amazing.

[@jayteesgear]

Best Kirk ever sounded. I truly feel Bob brought these dudes together.

[@bluecomet1109]

@@jayteesgear unpopular opinion here ..but I think kirk sounded at his absolute best on ride the lightning . Even back then the production and sound engineering on that album was flawless

[@chasing_dragons]

Jason gives an angle on things talking about life that all school teachers should have from kindergarten all the way through university.

[@seth6string]

Jason gives the best interviews of any Metallica member, past or present. I always enjoy them no matter what topics they hit. He's a genuine guy and a pleasure to shoot the breeze with I'm sure.

[@darthdims]

I was heartbroken when Jason left the band. But man I'm glad he did. I don't think we'd be able to get this perspective from him if he'd remained. This guy is just so awesome and I'm so glad he found his own voice.

[@Kruegernator123]

It was for the best, honestly. Despite Jason leaving Metallica, he still got to do some incredible things in his career, like joining Voivod, touring with Ozzy (almost joining his band and writing an album), and starting his own solo band.

[@jeffc1753]

It was the only way he could keep his dignity. A wise choice.

[@stevenesbitt3528]

I think being in that band at that time would have broken most people, it's minor miracle that metallica are still together, but thank god they are.

[@durden2480]

I have to meet him in my lifetime. I love this dude, he was the heart and soul of Metallica during his years

[@syracuse6651]

He's absolutely right about how people still till this day about air drumming Sad but true. Fuck yeah !

[@DoktorDamage]

Oh man, I have air drummed to that song many times! It's just so HUGE and it BREATHES.

[@wandatowellable]

Ha I was driving through my town on Thursday and I was air drumming to Sad but true when a work mate drove past laughing at me

[@fireinthepentagram]

Jason is amazing, what a great guy, probably one of the greatest into business history. I love him talk about music, riffs and cats!

[@Bikewithlove]

Wow - awesome! I thought this was just going to be a narration but bang! Jason Newsted. Ok and now we continue…

[@johankalin4354]

Jason is one of the coolest guys ever🤘🏻💪🏻

[@TheGodseye76]

Jason is STILL a fucking fan of music. Love his passion.

[@ModernDayWarrior2112]

Thanks for this Josh. Great interview 👍

[@joshua.toomey]

Thanks!

[@dcbdiscerns7617]

Maximum respect to the mighty Newsted!

[@dadeleemurphy85]

The one thing that I like to tell people that I've learned from Jason Newsted is: Guns N' Roses Taught Me 'What Not to Do'. You watch that particular scene in Metallica Behind the Music and you understand why he says that, and you really end up taking it to heart. I have avoided so many destructive obstacles in the last few years because of because of that simple message. So by the rare occurrence that Jason Newsted ever reads this: I want to thank you for those words of wisdom.

[@dreadbull5039]

Great interview! Good job setting Jason up and letting him go

[@harrycallahan9143]

Jason growing his hair again, hopefully he's gonna go with his famous undercut again, was a cool look.

[@mattwatts33]

Diggin the long hair J!

[@tojorozombie]

Thanks for the share, Sir!👍😎 Thank you for everything ’Bass Face’!!🤘🔥😎👍

[@robbythunder6386]

Jason... I'm 37.. Been listening to Tallica since I was 13 & Justice was my introduction & I loved the album then & still love it to this day & onward.. Yes.. Bass levels Not cool. But your attitude, passion, drive & skills have always been true. Shortly after I got A hold of The LIVE Binge & Purge box set. And your raw energy has always been such a strong force. I thank you for always loving us fans & thank you for sharing you with Metallica & us with such class & respect.. I love ya man! 🐺

[@bryannelson6139]

Jason is such a thoughtful and intelligent guy. He did such a great job for Metallica. It takes guts to walk away from such a successful band to make yourself happy.

[@thementalcase313]

11:09 damn I miss these backing vocals

[@martyschmidt2725]

Jason is so awesome, he was always my favourite member of Metallica when he was with them. He reminds me a lot of John Bush with his humbleness and respect for his former band and legacy.

[@nobrakes3765]

"Service to the vocal" = true! Great conversation!

[@theixxfactor]

He has got so much energy! Only listening him talking makes me want to bang my head!

[@cygnus618]

Jason’s unboxing is the best.

[@jd.garcia7555]

Glad to see Jason healthy and with long hair again. Jason is the one and only member who put up with James and Lars crap after cliff. Rob is a great bass player but Jason is the only one who can be the next bass player for Metallica

[@bill5974]

Touched Jason on the shoulder whilst he was doing his hair whirlwind thing right in front of me at a gig in Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK) in about 1994. Had tinnitus for a few days after that gig and could barely walk afterwards due to being squashed up against the barrier. Amazing gig.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Get alone to get in the zone! Now that is gold!!

[@tehblueduck]

Thank you Jason!

[@GregGallagher]

Newsted is such a boss. Killer player and his philosophy on life and music just makes so much sense. Love this guy.

[@williamdouglas1977]

Excellent job, Toomey !!!!

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

You’re a total badass Jason. Respect!

[@DoktorDamage]

Jason is right on the money with what he said. I could have listened to him for hours.

[@SacredLuzt777]

He's letting his hair grow again, awesome! I've always liked his long hair, he had the best energy in the live performances.

[@whaahhh]

Never talks shit.. is always a solid guy and no drama, kinda like Cliff was.

[@jeffjeffen]

only jason ,,1 in 2 bass players in the world have his passion,,know how,, and,, again ,,passion,,, nothing else but,, passion for his craft,,20,000 hour rule....thanku jason!

[@that_pinball_metal_dood169]

Glad the long hair is back! Very badass!

[@clausm2203]

Great interview and newsted is growing the hair back...:)

[@joshua.toomey]

Thanks!

[@Silentwitness1978]

This was so great...

[@jayteesgear]

Best Metallica interview Ive ever seen. After my own 25 years in Studios I CONSTANTLY try to explain why the BLACK album is their best. Gotta give Jason HUGE credit for the way he speaks. They really lost something when he bailed. He should’ve been doin interviews the WHOLE time! Im just enamored with how you interview and got him to really dig into Bob Rocks gifts to them

[@jstnR]

Black album was the definitive end of the mystique and uniqueness of the Metallica experience. Radio friendly hard rock for the mainstream simpleton. Their previous material was too advanced for the average listener. I remember distinctively my first listen of enter sandman which was played on a local radio station before the album release, it was the most disappointing moment in my music listening experience. Felt the same way every last note they’ve played ever since.

[@tomwhittaker9461]

@@jstnR Master of Puppets is probably their overall best work. It is one of the most coherent albums ever put together in thrash metal and has some great music in it. Ride the Lighting and AJFA are great albums as well.

[@lordcevap96]

Love this interview, Jason is the man 🤟🏻

[@joshua.toomey]

Yes he is!

[@marydlutes1792]

Hi Jason. I hear from your Dad and Greg occasionally. My Dad asks about you and I show him videos. Glad you are well.

[@theriffguy8237]

Jason has been all class the whole way. A true metal Tribal Elder

[@iamnaitsirk3091]

Glad to see a Jason growing that hair again we seeing that famous undercut?we'll see..

[@marleneg7794]

The universe will open up and bless this guy no matter what.

[@nk1974]

Miss you Jason!

[@marcschelz]

Good interview :)

[@joshua.toomey]

Thanks!

[@jperickson7737]

Bob Rock was to Metallica what George Martin was to the Beatles and Brian Eno was to U2. Legitimate 5th member.

[@andreklugel6846]

True, Bob Rock is a visionary, especially on the black album....so wtf happened with St. Anger? Bob not only produced, but played bass on pretty much the whole album (right b4 Robert joined). If he did such an amazing job in 1991, how did he drop the ball so badly in 2003? That album was a train wreck.

[@juan_andres_pesantez]

Because he approached St Anger as Metallica's Friend first and producer second, but he approached The Black Album as his own brand of producing prioritizing making the best product possible , he just wanted to keep the guys going and together, I'm 100% surte that inside his brain, he knew how bad it really was, the guys needed St. Anger to happen and at the end of the day, that album was the glue to keep them together and not self destruct.

[@andreklugel6846]

@@juan_andres_pesantez tuche, my friend. Well said. I did see the Some Kind Of Monster documentary, and that seems pretty accurate. I mean, it did well, sales-wise...it just sounds terrible.

[@8Junio76]

Everytime i want to listen St.Anger, I cannot pass the 3rd song. It sounds so irritable bad.

[@WesselsReaper]

I think On that album he let the band have the reigns. I think it’s very primal, simple, coarse, very rough sounding Bc they were basically starting new again, Raw flesh ya know? James was sober for first time in 20 years, the lyrics on that album are some of the deepest he’s written. That album had to happen as part of their healing I believe.

The band was in shambles at the time. If the band isn't all there, there's really nothing a producer can do. The black album was Metallica wanting to move on from thrash metal so it was just for Bob to make it easy for them. It was probably the perfect storm for both the band and him. He should have said no to producing them again after that. He was a great producer for the transition the band was in. He never got to top that album.

[@paulturgeon5803]

Jason fries my mind. The Power. He is the Black Album.

[@Ricardo_Samano]

i agree with jason about James unboxing video, it would’ve been cool if we heard his reactions to opening up the box set but they overdubbed it with music 😑

[@BrainWasherAttendent]

Jason is so insightful. And yeah the black album still blows away most albums as far as production quality to this day. Way too many great bands settle for shit studio album sounds.

[@Rambo33868]

I believe it still sounds modern, and the album is 30 years old. What an amazing job.

[@ganzyjam2602]

Sound funnel analogy fuucckkeee ! Love Jason.

[@chadadams693]

Man is there anyway I could possibly get hold of Jason newsted for something I actually really wanna interview him on my KZbin channel if I actually can and ask him some questions about the black album myself and then just some other stuff as well if you could point me in the right direction on how I can reach out to him please with all due respect let me know me if not then I do apologize for the inconvenience anyways rock on 🤟🏻

[@Tango_Lima_]

Do the original tapes of ....And Justice For All still exist? Can we get a proper mix of that PLEASE?!?!

[@heliocavalcanti8309]

Jason is the real deal!

[@xx7secondsxx]

Jason is SOOOO DOWN TO EARTH and appreciative of ALL THE STUFF HE ACCOMPLISHED with the band! He and Kirk mann! Theyre Sooooo down to earth and in touch with life mann!! I love em sooooo much! I'd love to.just sit and blaze some motá with them! Have some Steel Reserves! And just sit and talk about life and all randumbness and just vibe! Itd be the greatest!

[@RANKSTER0815]

I was 12 or 13 man and watched ...a year and a half... More times as any other cartoon or whatever. This docu took me so deep and strong. Ya know beeing 12 startn play guitar and watchn Papa het riffing Sandmann or dont tread on me...maaaaaannnnn i thank good to get the previledge to live in the Prime time of METALLICA Amen PS jason behind his "wall of foam" playing dont tread on me and roam is so cool to watch in a year and a half

[@cheezy8492]

I can't go to the 40th anniversary shows cause I live in Ireland and I'm 18, but I swear if I hear Jason wasn't invited ima only listen to bass tracks of these songs from then on

[@lkracker7]

My first time seeing Metallica will be at the 40th shows, I hope he at least makes an appearance! Chances are he wouldn’t play bass, but at least to see him on stage with them would be fantastic

[@mattvdh]

thanks!

[@Abear138]

Jason's the man!

[@TheDmanMA]

awesome guy.

[@davidmcglone409]

I think the absence of BASS on Justice was James and Lars's way of saying "Cliff is gone"

[@ChannelForty2]

I started playing guitar in 1994 when I was 14. I grew up in the Era jason was on bass. To me he will always be the bassist for metallica. I like his playing more than cliff and Robert both though thise two are both great. To me jason is the man. I learned how to play by learning every song metallica had written at that time. Jason rules yall, he's totally metallica man

[@immunesicness3399]

Epic podcast

[@blaincampbell3146]

Anyone else notice newsted is growing out that hair again? 🤘🏻 once a Rockstar always a Rockstar

[@Denbot_is_here]

Jason is why I chose to play bass. Hands down.

[@charlesrocks]

Jason Newsted is the KING OF THE UNDERDOGS

[@metaphoria3]

Wonder what the more colorful basslines sounded like?

[@JmieYoutube]

I’m convinced Newsted is a genius.

[@326656]

Jason Newsted, is such a great guy

[@papsmear1286]

Jason's a CLASS ACT!

[@thescream1868]

this is incredible to say, but to me metallica died when jason left....i simply have not liked their music ever since

[@mike1506tube]

It's true.

[@honigdachs.]

It's not like he ever contributed much to it.

[@thescream1868]

@@honigdachs. no? have you ever heard the little song called blackened? how about my friend of misery?....i could make a list that would make you blush after that insanely ignorant comment

[@honigdachs.]

@@thescream1868 Yeah, please, make that list. Humor me. Present me with your list of three (!) songs Newsted was credited for (while not being the main writer) during his time in Metallica, you fool.

[@thescream1868]

Buddy......most bands in the universe would be happy having just one of the two songs i just mentioned in their set list.....

[@scottpritchardthep.i.t.1436]

JASON GAVE A MEATIENESS ON BASS AND VOCALS DURING THAT TIME THAT WAS EPIC.

[@shiraz1736]

Saw him on the Justice tour, he was banging so hard I thought his head was going to fall off.

[@sirkayda7205]

Love Jason. Love Bob.

[@jeremycubs8331]

The hair is coming back.

[@nonesovile8812]

I can hear Jason talk about shit for hours.

[@bassman494]

Not a Metallica fan anymore but definitely a Jason fan. The dude is a class act. He's the Jerry Maguire of Metallica.

[@metallaholic]

I fucking love Jason. I love rob but Metallica was never the same without him. He was the most connected with fans because he was a fan. It felt like one of us was in Metallica.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

"Everything is in service to the vocal" there are a lot of uppity musicians out there who won't like hearing that but he's 100% right.