IS Metallica News
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JANUARY 2001 NEWS


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ACTION FIGURE UPDATE
01.31.01

MTV.com reports:

Metallica have entered that rarefied realm where few bands have gone before: They're becoming collectors' items. The members of the metal band — including former bassist Jason Newsted — now have their own action figures, courtesy of McFarlane Toys.

Company boss and "Spawn" creator Todd McFarlane said including a Jason doll along with frontman James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett and drummer Lars Ulrich was a no-brainer.

"It's like sports now, where somebody phones and you just finished painting someone, and they go, 'Oh, he's just been traded'," McFarlane said. "We made the Beatles ... John Lennon isn't alive, and the Beatles are no longer together. So, Jason was with them for a long time, so it became not necessarily the true Metallica. It becomes the classic Metallica."

Click here to read the whole article... We first reported about this on August 4th!




NEW PARTNERSHIP
01.31.01

Kevin sent us this article from LocalBusiness.com:

"Fresh off its court victory over Napster, heavy metal band Metallica has partnered with Jester Digital to create its own virtual reality world, the company told LocalBusiness.com.

Jester Digital is developing a virtual reality, online 3-D club that mimicks the band's brick-and-mortar club in San Francisco. Jester said users can experience the virtual Metallica club starting early next year.

"Metallica has been one of the most vocal groups with technology issues like music sharing for example," Phil Ruggieri, vice chairman and co-founder told LocalBusiness.com. "We met with them awhile back and explained how the technology works. They immediately loved it and felt that by doing this 3-D rendering of their club, they would be able to give their fans who aren't able to go to the Bay area to visit their real club a similar experience."

Using IBM's Electronic Media Management System, Jester.com users can enter a three-dimensional, online virtual reality world and purchase merchandise and download music. By using the technology, Jester Digital says that artists need not worry about their work being pirated, or the free sharing that occurs at Napster.

"Metallica has been very vocal about giving their fans what they want, in any medium they want it in, they just think they should be paid for it," Ruggieri said. "And the courts have agreed; every judge to hear its case says Napster is in the wrong and that artists should be paid for their work."

In order to experience the company's 3-D designed worlds, like Metallica's club, users have to register with the site and download a four-megabyte program developed by Jester's German partner Blaxxun. Using high-speed Internet service, the download takes no more than two minutes, 30 minutes with a 56k modem.

Once the free program is downloaded and installed, users can enter any of its current 3-D zones, which include a beach and a skateboarding scene. Some of the 3-D zones are a bit confusing to learn how to use, but it is truly a unique Internet site.

"I think as the Internet continues to evolve and games, music, films and other media are the primary objects users want, the richness of their experience will be what keeps them coming to our site," Ruggieri said.

In an industry that is traditionally slow to catch on to modernization, music industry giants like BMG, RealNetworks, Sony Music and Handleman Company have all given the nod to JesterDigital and its use of IBM's media management system because of the security and its technology to give artists their just reward for every song that is downloaded from the site, Ruggieri said.

"A company like Napster is not a competitor of ours. Their peer-to-peer file-sharing technology is not a treat to us because we don't ignore the rights of artists to receive royalties for every song that is downloaded, every t-shirt that is sold, and any poster that is bought," Ruggieri said.

By John P. Hernandez, LocalBusiness.com






MISC.ALLICA
01.27.01

Randy Berger of the Springfield (Missouri) News-Leader, wrote an excellent column on Jason's departure. You can read it here. Thanks, Randy!

VVvFaDevVv and Ercaz let us know that The Metallica Club has posted a video of Lars in his studio. It was recorded a couple of days ago and basically has Lars plugging the new fancan 4. But the underlying message of it is that Metallica is alive and well. You can check it out in their members area.

The Metallica Club also reports that "Lars will be on MTV's "20 Years of Rock". His interview will be part of a 2 hour history of rock. The show will be broadcast on Feb 17th, check local listings for air times."




THE PLEDGE
01.22.01

Jpmaster77 and Fear512 let us know that 'Poor Twisted Me' makes an appearance in the latest Sean Penn directed, starring Jack Nicholson movie, The Pledge. About halfway through the movie Nicholson's character goes to an outdoor flea market and the song is heard. Metallica Club members may remember that Lars raved about the tune in SO WHAT volume 7, issue 3.




MUSTAINE ON JASON
01.22.01

Dave Mustaine on Jason's departure:

"On a different note, my best wishes go out to Metallica and Jason Newsted. I hope that they can find a suitable replacement for Jason; I believe this could be very difficult because of potential fan backlash. God knows we have been down this road enough times ourselves."

Dave addressed this in his latest post at the Megadeth website.




EVEN MORE JASON
01.19.01

Scott Ian on Jason's departure:

It takes incredible balls to leave Metallica," commented Anthrax's Scott Ian, who's known all the members of the band for over 17 years." "You might think, 'How can anyone leave Metallica?'" he says. "But when you think about it, he's been there for 14 years, made an unbelievable amount of money; he's doing his own thing -- he's already recorded a solo album. If something isn't fun anymore and you don't need the money, why are you still doing it? What's the point? People should do what drives their passion. I know Jason. He's incredibly passionate about his music and metal. And he's probably thinking, I gotta do what I gotta do. I gotta move on."

This appeared in Lonn Friend's column on the KNAC website. You might remember Lonn from his appearance in the 'Year & Half in the Life' video, as well as his tenure as Rip magazine editor and on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. Read Lonn's full article here.




MORE JASON
01.18.01

Allstar has updated their original story with this:

Now that Jason Newsted has left Metallica, will he soon be embarking on a solo career, or perhaps be joining a new band?

The speculation arises because the bassist last year began work on a Bay Area side project called Echo Brain, although nothing has yet to be heard from that band.

A Metallica spokesperson at Elektra Records told allstar that he's been aware of Newsted's interest in working on his own music for some time, but said Newsted has not signed a solo deal with Elektra.

"For as long as he's been working on the side, I'd be surprised if he didn't have enough for a full album by now," the spokesperson said. A spokesperson at Metallica's Q-Prime management company had no comment on Newsted's future plans."

IS would like to wish Jason the best for whatever he decides to do in the future, and express our thanks for his 14 years with Metallica...




JASON LEAVES METALLICA
01.17.01

FROM THE OFFICIAL METALLICA WEBSITE:

Metallica regrets to announce that after 14 years as Metallica's bass player, Jason Newsted has chosen to leave the band.

Jason Newsted: "Due to private and personal reasons, and the physical damage that I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love, I must step away from the band. This is the most difficult decision of my life, made in the best interest of my family, myself, and the continued growth of Metallica. I extend my love, thanks, and best wishes to my brothers: James, Lars, and Kirk and the rest of the Metallica family, friends, and fans whom have made these years so unforgettable."

Newsted joined Metallica from Flotsam And Jetsam in the fall of 1986 after the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton. He participated in the recording of 6 Metallica albums (…And Justice for All, Metallica, Load, Re-Load, Garage Inc., and S&M) which have sold over 55 million copies worldwide to date. In addition, he played on numerous worldwide tours to millions of fans representing over 1000 gigs in all. While with Metallica, the band won countless awards including 5 Grammy Awards and 2 MTV Video Music Awards.

James Hetfield: "Playing with someone who has such unbridled passion for music will forever be a huge inspiration. On stage every night, he was a driving force to us all, fans and band alike.

His connection will never be broken."

Lars Ulrich: "We part ways with Jason with more love, more mutual respect, and more understanding of each other than at any other point in the past. James, Kirk and I look forward to embracing the next chapter of Metallica with both a huge amount of appreciation for the last 14 years with Jason and the excitement of rising to the challenges that lay ahead to make Metallica shine brighter than ever."

In the spring, Metallica will begin writing and recording a new studio album with release sometime in late 2001 or early 2002.

Kirk Hammett: "Jason is our brother. He will be missed."




TBA DVD AUDIO
01.17.01

CD NOW has posted the expected release date for the Black album DVD-Audio as February 27th.

UPDATE: MetallicaMania reports:

WHERE WERE YOU THE FIRST TIME YOU HEARD "ENTER SANDMAN"?

At a party? In the car? At home with headphones on? Wherever you were, on February 27, you can relive the adrenaline of that moment when Metallica -- the black album -- is re-released in the new DVD-Audio format. This new format gives you 6-channel advanced resolution surround sound technology and advanced resolution stereo; Dolby Digital Surround Mix that can be played on a regular DVD videoplayer; and sneak preview footage of the upcoming episode of the TV series "Classic Albums" featuring Metallica, airing on VH-1 sometime in 2001.

Thanks to Mirolsav.




FINAL ANSWER?
01.13.01

Wall Of Sound reports:

"Who's the smartest of the Backstreet Boys? And how do they stand up against R&B singer Sisqo, Metallica's Lars Ulrich, KISS' Gene Simmons, the Dixie Chicks' Emily Robison, and Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath? All of those stars will test their mental mettle as they battle in two February episodes of popular quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, according to an announcement from ABC.

Perhaps Nick Carter and Howie Dorough have the biggest brains of the pop quintet — only those two will take the floor, with remaining members Kevin Richardson, A.J. McLean, and Brian Littrell relegated to the peanut gallery.

As is standard for the Regis Philbin-hosted show, the questions will encompass a broad range of general knowledge, and each contestant will be allowed three "lifelines" for help.

One option allows the stars to call a friend for assistance — which could lead to interesting phone calls. While its unlikely Ulrich will consult college dropout and computer whiz Shawn Fanning, founder of Napster, perhaps his band's legal team will be able to provide him with advice. Will Carter fall back on the girl power of Britney Spears or Christi na Aguilera? Will McGrath call his girlfriend? Or his mother?

The shows, scheduled for a Feb. 1 taping, will air Feb. 11 and Feb. 14. Though not all the stars are guaranteed a one-on-one with Regis — they have to fight for the hot seat like everyone else — they are all guaranteed $32,000 for the charity of their choice.

As with previous celebrity editions of the show, all winnings will be donated to charity."


Thanks to Chris.




LARS MASTERS SYSTEMATIC
01.08.01

Sonicnet reports:

"Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich is in New York City mastering the debut LP by Systematic, a San Francisco band he discovered and signed to his imprint, The Music Company.Produced by Peter Collins (Rush, Queensr˙che), the as-yet-untitled album is slated for a May release, according to Systematic's spokesperson. As legend has it, Metallica were putting the finishing touches on their latest album, 1999's S&M, in a Sausalito, California, studio, when Ulrich stepped into the hallway and overheard a studio engineer playing Systematic's demo tape. Suitably impressed, Ulrich obtained a copy to play for his TMC partners, Dan McCarrol and Tim Duffy, and they sought the band out at a local gig and signed them soon after.

Systematic — singer/guitarist Tim Narducci, guitarist Adam Ruppel, bassist Nick St. Denis, and drummer Shaun Bannon — are currently touring with Nothingface on their first-ever national outing.The Music Company was founded in 1998 and includes DDT, Goudie, and a new signing from Atlanta, Brand New Immortals, on its roster. The imprint is distributed by Elektra Records.


Thanks to Seb.




GRAMMYS
01.03.01

Metallica has been nominated for yet another Grammy award, this time in a category in which they have not won before. The nomination is in the Best Rock Instrumental Performance (Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal Instrumentals. Singles or Tracks only) category, and is for The Call of the Ktulu, from S&M. Competing against the track are Phish's "First Tube," Peter Frampton's "Off the Hook," Joe Satriani's "Until We Say Goodbye," and "Electric Lullaby" by Kenny Wayne Shepard Band.

You can visit grammy.com for all the info on the 43rd annual Grammy Awards, held on February 21 in Los Angeles, including the complete nomination list.




TOP OF THE POPS
01.01.01

MTV.com reports that "Metallica remain rock music's biggest catalog seller, with more than 3.31 million copies sold of their various albums in the past year, underscoring what Metallica obviously feel is at stake in the band's continued legal battle with music-swapping service Napster." In other Metallica briefs, comedian turned football guru Dennis Miller explained to Al Michaels during the broadcast of the Saints v. Rams playoff games that the song being played during the kickoff was "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, one of the greatest songs of all time (Thanks to SKILLZ17). Metallica also made a top 2000 on a Belgium radio station that played 2000 songs in 4 days, coming in at #9 overall with "Nothing Else Matters" and "One" at #36 (Thanks to Dennis).

Thanks to Jason Malone.





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