Being in a band is about extra than simply enjoying your instrument — and Robert Trujillo understands that higher than most. The longtime Metallica bassist has spent his profession navigating band dynamics with a number of the greatest names in rock, from Ozzy Osbourne to his outdated funk-metal crew Infectious Grooves. By way of all of it, he is saved one factor entrance and middle: the human connection.
In a latest interview with Toby Morse, Trujillo defined how vital it’s to verify your bandmates really feel supported, each within the writing room and in life. He appears to not be the sort of musician who walks right into a room demanding his concepts be entrance and middle. As an alternative, he reveals up, places the work in, and makes certain the individuals round him really feel heard. And if which means enjoying a quieter position so the band sounds higher as a complete, he is tremendous with that.
“Even with Ozzy, I used to be entering into some severe writing earlier than I left,” he mentioned (through Ultimate Guitar). “That is at all times been vital to me. However on the similar time, I am becoming a member of Metallica, and these guys write superb songs, and I am simply not going to immediately insert myself into it.”
It is a humble method that is uncommon in a enterprise that usually rewards ego. Trujillo‘s focus is not on standing out — it is on conserving issues regular. “I prefer to maintain individuals completely satisfied and cozy. My position is at all times to help what’s wanted for the staff,” he defined. And generally, that help would not include a writing credit score. “I imply, we’re at all times contributing, whether or not you see the identify on the tune or not. I am within the room each time we’re engaged on music. I am there, with Lars and James.”
Nonetheless, Trujillo‘s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He pointed to a latest instance from 72 Seasons, Metallica‘s newest album. “There are occasions once I’m like, ‘I’ve received some cool concepts,’ and James is at all times receptive,” he mentioned. “For those who take heed to the center part of ‘You Should Burn,’ that is James and I jamming within the tuning room, after which it turns into part of this specific tune.”
For Trujillo, although, the music is just a part of what makes a band work. The true key’s in the way you deal with the individuals you are with — day in, time out, on tour buses, in cramped studios, by the highs and the lows. “So long as the river flows the correct manner, that is a very powerful factor,” he mentioned. “Additionally the way you cater to the personalities — it is like, you are going to reside with these individuals; it is like a household. It is a brotherhood. You gotta respect that, and respect individuals. And if you’re in one another’s house, you gotta respect one another. You gotta assist carry individuals, and all that sort of stuff performs into it.”
That respect is not nearly conserving the peace. It is what retains bands collectively when issues get laborious. Trujillo burdened that, irrespective of how gifted somebody is, it is the bond and belief between bandmates that basically counts. “There are 1,000,000 unbelievable gamers. Yeah, there are guys who’ve a sure really feel which are higher for the band, and whatnot. However on the similar time, there’s nonetheless that bond, and that belief, and connection it’s a must to have with one another so that you just’re serving to one another by life. It is like a life factor.”
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