Band Biography From Electra
"I
believe that music history should be explored by music lovers. And I
think people are short-changing themselves if they don't take a step
back to understand, or even appreciate, where things came from. I think
what Garage Inc. does is give people a better understanding of our influences,
what has inspired us over the years and what still turns us on musically."
Lars Ulrich, Metallica, October 1998.
As the man just said, Garage Inc., Metallica's most unique album in
their 16 year career is both an enthusiastic tribute and a passionate
directory of the group's wide-ranging musical taste and influences.
Recorded between September 20th and October 15th, and produced/mixed
by Bob Rock and Randy Staub, this two disc set comprises every cover
song the group have ever recorded, plus eleven new songs originally
written by artists ranging from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds to Discharge.
"It all started coming together some 3 or 4 months ago," says
drummer Ulrich. "Even though we didn't start playing anything until
we were at Kirk's house in September, the bonding process started on
the Summer tour sitting around and showing each other different songs, comparing favorites,
directions...there were some great moments in late night hotel rooms
around the country."
To get the project completed for it's November 24th release date, Metallica
didn't have the time usually allotted to analyze 'tones', 'bits' or
'fills'. Garage Inc. a needed one/two take spirit, a light-hearted 'gung-ho'
attitude and everything recorded, produced and mixed in less than a
month. Not only were Metallica up TO the challenge, they were up FOR
the challenge.
"We had about three days to rehearse and sometimes I was singing
tracks for the first time ever off the floor," says vocalist/guitarist
James Hetfield. "But I think this one is sounding a lot more exciting,
more fresh and there's some really good sounds going on."
"This
was definitely more of a fun happy-to-be-alive kind of project,"
says bassist Jason Newsted. "The stress involved in writing a Metallica
album isn't like that, whereas that's exactly what Garage Inc."
ended up being all about.
Subsequently,
Garage Inc. not only shows that Metallica never forgot its roots, but
could also prove the beginning of a new phase for them. The crackles,
fizzes and unpolished finish, which makes Garage Inc. one for
diehards and new fans alike, proves that for Metallica studios don't
have to become mental health institutions.
"I would love to see things move quicker in the future," says
Hetfield. "I think it comes down to having the time to properly
rehearse in the future before going into the studio."
"I feel that guitar-wise, I'm edging much more towards vibe and
feeling than perfection," says guitarist Kirk Hammett. "For
me, some of the most exciting stuff on Garage Inc. was when we just
recorded off the floor at 3am, and that stuff tended to feel great regardless of whether it could
or couldn't be technically better."
The band will also shortly be releasing a ground-breaking DVD, titled
Cunning Stunts, directed by Wayne Isham and featuring over 140 minutes
of live concert footage shot in Fort Worth, Texas during the 1997 'Load' tour. Aside from backstage interviews, a unique photo gallery that documents
every day of the tour and a look into how the unique "Load"
show came together, viewers will be able to watch three of the songs
from various angles thanks to a multiple camera angle option. It represents
the first time in rock history that a concert has been specifically
filmed for the DVD format. The concert portion of Cunning Stunts will
also be available in the VHS video format.
"It's pretty exciting stuff because you're not restricted to watching
from the director's view," says Hammett. "You can choose who
you'd like to watch. Plus with DVD, there's more physical room on the
disc to put stuff on, so we've been able to put that huge photo library
and some other cool stuff on there too."
Always looking for new things to do and never content to settle back,
and rest easily, one thing remains a certainty for Metallica: the future
looks exciting.
"I felt there was an incredible sharp turn after the '...And Justice
For all' record." says Ulrich. "It changed direction, we made
the "Black" album, then the "Load" records and I
feel Garage Inc. is bringing what we started on the "Black"
album to a close. When we sit down and start writing new material next
Summer, and hopefully head into the studio in the Spring of 2000 to
make Metallica's 8th studio album, I feel that we're going to somehow
end up taking another drastic turn."
Call them heavy, call them rock, call them selfish, call them metal,
call them different, call them stubborn, call them anything you like
because as ever, Metallica don't care.
Just remember not to call them predictable.
