When I came into Metallica, I had to do justice to Cliff's work, but I also had to put my own signature on it. No one could be Cliff Burton; Cliff Burton was the Jimi Hendrix of bass.
Jason NewstedIt all has to do with art - writing, painting, things Iโve done for a long time but just never had enough time to pursue. I have poetry - things that are designed for songs, but theyโre always poems first.
Jason NewstedI don't want to grow up,' Tom Waits said it. I live it. I put myself in a position to be a kid as long as I want to. I play loud music and scream for a living.
Jason NewstedMetallica is going to be one of those bands you look back on in the year 2008, that people will still listen to the way I still listen to Zeppelin and Sabbath albums.
Jason NewstedI tell you very honestly, 1 billion percent, I have never regretted leaving Metallica.
Jason NewstedI ended up gettin a little Gibson amp and a bass, because of Gene Simmons of Kiss. Myself and three other kids would pretend to be Kiss - I liked Gene the best.
Jason NewstedTo look for some kind of insight or meaning in pop songs is not really - well there's plenty of other places where you should probably look first before you start looking for it in a pop song.
Jason NewstedI'm busier than a busy person. People aren't scared to play this raucous, harsh music over radio speakers, so I think it's the perfect time to get in with some real serious, heavy bands.
Jason Newsted