When Robert Trujillo joined Metallica, he confronted the immense problem of not simply becoming into one of the iconic bands in steel historical past, however mastering a job that many bassists would discover daunting. Trujillo, who has been with Metallica for over 20 years, lately opened up concerning the distinctive difficulties he encountered in an interview with Bass Player.
Reflecting on the interval when he joined the band, Trujillo famous, “I really feel like I’ve had so many challenges. You understand, I dwell in Los Angeles, however since I joined the band I have been spending extra time within the Bay Space, and I really actually prefer it. Los Angeles has change into so overpopulated and blown out. San Francisco has such a pleasant stability, nearly like a cool ’70s taste to it. The way in which LA was again within the Cheech & Chong days!”
Nevertheless, his biggest hurdle wasn’t geographical adjustment however the bass taking part in itself. “The most important problem has been with my bass taking part in. I am not being disrespectful to all of the bass gamers on the market, however there aren’t many bassists that would do that job. Taking part in with Metallica is probably the most demanding gig there’s.”
Regardless of the difficulties, Trujillo holds deep respect for his predecessors, acknowledging their profound affect on the band’s legacy. Talking about Cliff Burton, he mentioned, “Cliff was superb for Metallica. His concepts, his presence, and the place he was taking the bass and taking steel, had been so particular. And his stage presence – he was such a bodily participant. He performed what he felt, and that was the underside line. His strategy was, ‘I am gonna play what I really feel, and when you do not prefer it, screw you!'”
Trujillo additionally praised Burton’s modern spirit: “He used to ask Kirk to point out him Lynyrd Skynyrd guitar solos so he might play them on bass, and never many bass guitar gamers had been doing that again then. I believed that was so cool. Cliff was a power on loads of totally different ranges.”
Jason Newsted, Burton‘s successor, additionally earned Trujillo‘s admiration. “I actually admire Jason Newsted. Contemplating he is a choose participant, and the velocity and dexterity concerned on this music, I feel it is a tall order. However he was actually protecting it and holding it down, protecting it strong – extra easy than Cliff, however in a great way.”
In conclusion, Trujillo embraces the individuality every bassist has delivered to Metallica. “I like the truth that we’re all totally different. All of us have our factor that we have delivered to the band, however I even have my very own model and I like to precise that.”
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