Absolutely. Rob strikes me as a balance between the more reserved persoanlity of Kirk and the alpha Ulrich/Hetfield dynamic. Perfect for the band. And he's an incredible player as well.
Robert is SO much more of a bass player than just Metallica. He is a fan first of the greats like Rocco Prestia. He is awesome in Metallica but could adapt and play in any band, any genre
Even he has regressed playing in Metallica. Playing in Metallica is not for a "musician" who wishes to explore, play a ton of music, experiment. It's a grueling slave to the grind that is Q-Prime management. That alone is the biggest challenge IMO, being capable of playing the music is amateurish in comparison. I have played for 30+ years and Metallica music is not "challenging" in and of itself. The length of show will require a players stamina 100% (this is a real challenge make no mistake about it), then the microscopic bubble you have to live in. Yeah, I see more challenges on the "admin" side of it than the musical but that's just part of being a member of the greatest goddamn Heavy Metal band to ever exist on this planet. It's a small club as Newsted put it and I agree!
You get into playing guitar, your first reason was probably to get girls. Play drums, your thought was to get famous. Lead singer, you want to be a rockstar. A bass player doesn't get all that, and therefore starts because they like music; and being in a huge band like Metallica and being around other acts like Ozzy, etc. you have to be able to deal with all sorts of personalities
@@daslupus4303💯, they were my favorite band growing up, inspired me to learn how to play, and it's good to see them unlike so many others, avoid the crash and burn early career fatality
@@puncrock2952saved? All the music people listen to by them and 95% of the stuff they play concerts was recorded like 10 years before Robert joined 😂 they were amazing until the black album then it all went downhill after that
so happy he did this interview. the whole time in Some Kind of Monster when you see him picking basses with Zack Harmon, it seems like he’s being real quiet and calculated, but bro is internally fighting for his life hahaha also crazy to hear that Lars was still approaching these auditions like it was a 1986 all over again. it seems that Lars was still in denial that he was quickly approaching 50 and needed to simmer down on the partying. very interesting
Those guys were all party animals. Get drunk, play a show, go to the after party, get even more drunk, get laid, pass out on the bus on the way to the next town. Wake up at 3pm. Start drinking again, and repeat.
People dont give Rob enough credit and keep harping on about Jason but the truth is Rob is an absolute beast on bass and gives the band a much bigger sound.
Sounds like you're the one making it a contest- besides, Cliff Burton, to me, is the great differentiator out of the three but I think it's safe to say anyone playing bass in Metallica is a beast
@@puncrock2952 nope i see it everywhere where people keep saying jason is better. All 3 have been great in their own way but a lot of people are stuck on jason
I’ve never given Jason much thought, to be honest. A very good player and backup singer for sure, but imo he never brought anything in the way of creativity. Simply slaving the guitar lines. Burton always brought something extra into the music by working within the structure, but expanding the songs, rather than just slaving the guitars. It’s just sad that it took so long to be able to really hear all the extra, via the internet, as the bass was so buried in the mix. (Not as buried as Newstead was of course, but still buried)
@@Daddy53751 from what I've heard from Jason when he was in flotsam & jetsam he's a thrash player- intricacy and crisp fast alternate picking better suited for a speed metal outfit than black album and the two that followed.
People seem to misunderstand this "hazing of Newsted". They did this, because they wanted to "beat" the fan out of him, because they wanted a brother, not to babysit a fan, basically wanting to get on with it. Trujillo got the job, because he had more relatability to the guys, for example; playing at the best venues with Ozzy one night, then the next playing at the local puke house with Black Label Society, that road dog lineage provided an instant connection, then you had the fact that Rob made Metallica play, sound better. His dynamic, attack on the bass, his presence gave Metallica a new lease on life, sound that would carry them into the next 10-20 years of music relevance. Lars new this, he was aware of how the genre was evolving, understood that Trujillo has something to offer Metallica in that period of change. The boys didn't need to haze Rob, because Rob already went through it all before, he was already tough, he was already a veteran, they didn't need to babysit him like they did with Jason.
No, there's no excuse to justify their treatment of Jason. Rob seems like a great guy and what not, but by this time they didn't haze him because their "grieving period" had long ended. Jason deserved way more respect than being used as a bassist for hire.
As small as he is, that little Danish fucker embraced the Rockstar lifestyle like no other. Considering his coke usage in the past, drinking isn't shit for him! Not even shocked he would run Rob through the drinking ringer. Rob is just lucky it wasn't 1986 wherein Hetfield and the rest ran him through the ringer. lol
If he'd have said "No thanks Lars, I'm going to get some sleep and get up early to prepare for the audition tomorrow", would he have been considered unsuitable for the band?
Cliff was a musical genius, Jason was a force to be reckon with on stage, but rob is kinda a little bit of the two put together, he can play like Cliff did with fingers, but at times his own backing vocals have been awesome. Like Jason, rob is an epic bassist.
@@WoockerSocket2 Ahh, stupid RUclips, won't let me tell what I REALLY think of you! You are very, very wrong. I only said "Lars" because he specified that it was Lars. I wish you the worst.
Metallica was known for being the drunkest band of the 80s and yet never canceling or ruining a show because of drinking, it's honestly a very fair test for the band.
Rob didnt get hazed like newsted because he was already walking in the door as ozzys bass player, ex sucidal tendancies and toured with metallica in 90's, played in BLS basically lots of cool connections and respect.
Jason was young when they hazed him. Robert was already a fully accomplished professional musician for 30 years with Suicidal. This wasn't his first rodeo. Hazing him would be ridiculous.
Wow, so now I guess we know that the audition we see Rob do in the Some Kind of Monster documentary he did hanging out of his backside 😂 Fair play to the guy and evidently being hungover didn't stop him playing a great audition!
You have to give credit to someone that can come in and finger play the bass through Battery, while hungover. I know James and Lars were trying to change and be better people, but I think Robert really helped bring it all together.
So in the SKOM movie, the clip where they show Rob choosing what bass he's gonna play and the roadie telling him Metallica has like 200 bass guitars, Rob is actually hammered out of his mind? lol.
Lars probably was testing Rob, because Metallica used to go so hard back in the day, James went from looking like a shy college kid to looking like a 40 year old man within the span of about five years. That takes a lot of abuse and punishment, plus losing Cliff. Jason had to go through that, and while they didn’t want Rob’s situation to end up like Jason’s, they still had to see how much he could take, on and off the stage. Being the most well known metal band in the world comes with a very high price.
what does he mean when Rob says that there wasn't time for him to get hazed when he officially joined the band? Like they were so busy touring or something? lol I think the guys at that point had already grown up and it was a completely different situation too, that's all.
I think he should start another band or project. But im not up on his profile... maybe he does already. I can listen to him talk atleast and he's a great bass player.
@1:18 "James is sober. He's, he's gone through uh, you know uh um uh, what's it called, rehab". So perfect. People still blah blah blah about Jason's death metal backup vocals but this guy is more Metallica in the ways that count.
Lars Lurs Rob to go bar and drink until 5 am and next day to show up at the studio 😂😂😂 Lars is testing Rob to see if he can handle high stress with Metallica .😮
Everyone hates on Lars but to be able to do get wasted and go to sleep at 5 am and then go jam in the studio auditioning bass players and not let it be know that he’s hung over. It takes a special liver to do that.
You can't haze a guy that's skill level is on par if not even more technical than you. Wish they would've treated Jason the same. All 3 bass players great in their own right
Is this before or after Trujillo and Bordin screwed Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake on Ozzy's first 2 solo albums by recording over their original bass and drum tracks?
I feel really bad for R.T. having to listen to L.U. and J.H. cry all the time. Especially Lars. That name just fits that dude. And he can't drum that well either. J.H. was wrong when he made fun of Cobain's suicide too. So wrong. And L.U. back there laughing was my last listen. Sorry.
Metallica definitely made the right call as did Rob joining the group just look at his net worth compared to Michael Muirs. ST just not bringing in the same $$
Which is funny cuz Lars is legit bad. Like In the realest way. It's so interesting watchn a compilation that got put out on Tik Tok that highlights his playing of bad n how non practiced he is. Of course he's super important and inspirational..but dude doesn't care about drums
Why's it so hard to be a responsible adult for most people haha. You know you have something very important the next day but we go out drinking all night.
Band made right choice. Knocked it out park with Rob
Absolutely. Rob strikes me as a balance between the more reserved persoanlity of Kirk and the alpha Ulrich/Hetfield dynamic. Perfect for the band. And he's an incredible player as well.
@@Peteski510Yeah basically he's calm and cool but also totally un-intimidated by James or Lars (both musically and physically/temperamentally)
True but in the same time Trujilo is wasting his time with them
Alpha? No. Just no.
Robert seems like a humble dude. A guy I would get along with.
Robert is SO much more of a bass player than just Metallica. He is a fan first of the greats like Rocco Prestia. He is awesome in Metallica but could adapt and play in any band, any genre
He's literally Jerry Cantrell's bassist for Jerry's new album.
Even he has regressed playing in Metallica. Playing in Metallica is not for a "musician" who wishes to explore, play a ton of music, experiment. It's a grueling slave to the grind that is Q-Prime management. That alone is the biggest challenge IMO, being capable of playing the music is amateurish in comparison. I have played for 30+ years and Metallica music is not "challenging" in and of itself. The length of show will require a players stamina 100% (this is a real challenge make no mistake about it), then the microscopic bubble you have to live in. Yeah, I see more challenges on the "admin" side of it than the musical but that's just part of being a member of the greatest goddamn Heavy Metal band to ever exist on this planet. It's a small club as Newsted put it and I agree!
Same as Jason but they were already grown up a old by then
My musical memory starts a year or two before load, i remember him in ozzy i liked his style
@@muriloninjaAs someone whos played over 20 years, pretty spot on...but Rob deserved the payday! As a musician i will always write but money is money
Rob gave me a hug before starting their set in Boston a few weeks ago. Great guy
He’s great. I also loved him playing with Ozzy.
very cool interview. Why are the bass players the coolest folks in this band lol
They're all cool. I can obviously see why most people don't like Lars but I'd still like to meet any of them.
Because bassists dont have the ego problems of guitarists and vocalists nor the brain damage of drummers
You get into playing guitar, your first reason was probably to get girls. Play drums, your thought was to get famous. Lead singer, you want to be a rockstar. A bass player doesn't get all that, and therefore starts because they like music; and being in a huge band like Metallica and being around other acts like Ozzy, etc. you have to be able to deal with all sorts of personalities
Careful, Gene Simmons might chew your toes off.
Rob saved Metallica. He is exactly what they needed to pull it together again.
He didn't save them from releasing st anger
@@puncrock2952 no body is perfect. At least we still have Metallica.
@@daslupus4303💯, they were my favorite band growing up, inspired me to learn how to play, and it's good to see them unlike so many others, avoid the crash and burn early career fatality
@@puncrock2952he wasn't in the band yet, those parts were recorded by Bob Rock
@@puncrock2952saved? All the music people listen to by them and 95% of the stuff they play concerts was recorded like 10 years before Robert joined 😂 they were amazing until the black album then it all went downhill after that
It’s funny that I still see him as the new guy when he’s been there almost 25 years lol
Longer than any other Metallica bassist lol
Saw him in ST, he was a monster player with great presence. Rob has been killing it for years.
so happy he did this interview. the whole time in Some Kind of Monster when you see him picking basses with Zack Harmon, it seems like he’s being real quiet and calculated, but bro is internally fighting for his life hahaha
also crazy to hear that Lars was still approaching these auditions like it was a 1986 all over again. it seems that Lars was still in denial that he was quickly approaching 50 and needed to simmer down on the partying. very interesting
Lars was about 40 then.
Those guys were all party animals. Get drunk, play a show, go to the after party, get even more drunk, get laid, pass out on the bus on the way to the next town. Wake up at 3pm. Start drinking again, and repeat.
Near the end of the doc rob does look proper hangover when theyre talkin about the band shares and documentry money
Lars was 36 by then idiot...😅
People dont give Rob enough credit and keep harping on about Jason but the truth is Rob is an absolute beast on bass and gives the band a much bigger sound.
Sounds like you're the one making it a contest- besides, Cliff Burton, to me, is the great differentiator out of the three but I think it's safe to say anyone playing bass in Metallica is a beast
@@puncrock2952 nope i see it everywhere where people keep saying jason is better. All 3 have been great in their own way but a lot of people are stuck on jason
Rob is a better bass player, no doubt about it, but Jason with the backing vocals made hetfield voice and vocal sound much more intense..
I’ve never given Jason much thought, to be honest.
A very good player and backup singer for sure, but imo he never brought anything in the way of creativity. Simply slaving the guitar lines.
Burton always brought something extra into the music by working within the structure, but expanding the songs, rather than just slaving the guitars.
It’s just sad that it took so long to be able to really hear all the extra, via the internet, as the bass was so buried in the mix.
(Not as buried as Newstead was of course, but still buried)
@@Daddy53751 from what I've heard from Jason when he was in flotsam & jetsam he's a thrash player- intricacy and crisp fast alternate picking better suited for a speed metal outfit than black album and the two that followed.
as a MetallicA fan for more than 40 years, I really like the new guy.
New guy now has more years in Metallica than Jason and Cliff. Yes, we are getting damn old.
@@karlimo4034 😀 absolutely
Robert is one amazing player. He is the only one that could keep up after Cliff and Jason and his sound and style is awesome.
✊🏻🤘🏻
Surfing Tahiti to jamming with Metallica, what a jam.
People seem to misunderstand this "hazing of Newsted". They did this, because they wanted to "beat" the fan out of him, because they wanted a brother, not to babysit a fan, basically wanting to get on with it. Trujillo got the job, because he had more relatability to the guys, for example; playing at the best venues with Ozzy one night, then the next playing at the local puke house with Black Label Society, that road dog lineage provided an instant connection, then you had the fact that Rob made Metallica play, sound better. His dynamic, attack on the bass, his presence gave Metallica a new lease on life, sound that would carry them into the next 10-20 years of music relevance. Lars new this, he was aware of how the genre was evolving, understood that Trujillo has something to offer Metallica in that period of change. The boys didn't need to haze Rob, because Rob already went through it all before, he was already tough, he was already a veteran, they didn't need to babysit him like they did with Jason.
No, there's no excuse to justify their treatment of Jason. Rob seems like a great guy and what not, but by this time they didn't haze him because their "grieving period" had long ended. Jason deserved way more respect than being used as a bassist for hire.
My only question is how can Lars drink like that and keep it together? Haha. That guy is an animal!
As small as he is, that little Danish fucker embraced the Rockstar lifestyle like no other. Considering his coke usage in the past, drinking isn't shit for him! Not even shocked he would run Rob through the drinking ringer. Rob is just lucky it wasn't 1986 wherein Hetfield and the rest ran him through the ringer. lol
Cocaine. Its not even a secret
He used cocaine extensively. Drinking is like a walk in the park for him 😂
Years of experience hahaha.
Because his drumming is very rudimentary.
They saw his upper body and quickly decided against any potential hazing
Seriously?Metallica guys were like 40 at that time they grew up from that stupid hazing shit
doubt it I think they just matured and dealt with the loss of Cliff
Relax im sure its a joke.@@Otto-1943
Or they knew he had ties to suicidal gang members 😮
@@rycor9117 have you not heard how they treated Jason Newstead? 😂 maybe like they learned from their mistakes with Jason
He nailed the audition too (you looked the coolest, quote from James on Some Kind of Monster, always makes me laugh)
If he'd have said "No thanks Lars, I'm going to get some sleep and get up early to prepare for the audition tomorrow", would he have been considered unsuitable for the band?
Probably
Robert is the MAN!
All 3 bass players for Metallica were great. Jason will always be my favourite.
Cliff was a musical genius, Jason was a force to be reckon with on stage, but rob is kinda a little bit of the two put together, he can play like Cliff did with fingers, but at times his own backing vocals have been awesome. Like Jason, rob is an epic bassist.
Since everybody have already commented on his bass playing skils and contribution to Metallica, may I comment on his ruggedly handsome looks? 🔥🔥
Doing something like that is so high school on Lars' part
ahhhh it's ok
If James did it: what a smart way to test the new guy! 🤓
@@WoockerSocket2 Ahh, stupid RUclips, won't let me tell what I REALLY think of you!
You are very, very wrong. I only said "Lars" because he specified that it was Lars. I wish you the worst.
It's a thrash metal band? They're not recruiting a new Human Resources lady..
Metallica was known for being the drunkest band of the 80s and yet never canceling or ruining a show because of drinking, it's honestly a very fair test for the band.
I’ve known this story but never considered his perspective of James being sober and him feeling like a loser being hungover for his audition lol
Rob is cooler than Metallica 😊 he helped reenergize Metallica as a whole .. they needed him , he didn’t really need them !!
“Lars, our drummer” 😲👌
Disrespectful
Yeah, I laughed at that one. As if Ulrich needs any introduction.
@@djtrendsetta5766 same thought. Hilarious.
On top of that you’re now telling me Rob did the audition heavily hangover, with barely 4 hours of sleep and still nailed it? What a legend !
Rob didnt get hazed like newsted because he was already walking in the door as ozzys bass player, ex sucidal tendancies and toured with metallica in 90's, played in BLS basically lots of cool connections and respect.
People underestimate him, but his Lines in DM and hardwired are just nasty
Rob is solid! He fits them well for the time he joined to this day. Joining them in October 1986 is another matter entirely!
😬
Exactly. They were about 25 years old then.
I can't imagine a better base player for metallica than Robert
Uhh, Newsted
Jason was young when they hazed him. Robert was already a fully accomplished professional musician for 30 years with Suicidal. This wasn't his first rodeo. Hazing him would be ridiculous.
That's a great story..
infectuous grooves
"Lars...uh, our drummer" Funny he had to qualify that
I always thought Rob was high in the audition video. This makes sense lol.....he was just really hungover.
He is talking just like he'd still have that hungover 😂😅
I love him
Not only he can slap bass, he slaps himself
Robert is a very beatiful MAN!!!
Larrs in eyeliner looks like Billy Joe lmfao
Wow, so now I guess we know that the audition we see Rob do in the Some Kind of Monster documentary he did hanging out of his backside 😂 Fair play to the guy and evidently being hungover didn't stop him playing a great audition!
You have to give credit to someone that can come in and finger play the bass through Battery, while hungover. I know James and Lars were trying to change and be better people, but I think Robert really helped bring it all together.
Recorded horizontally:)
Thats why he goy panda eyes durinh somekindofmonster doc
They have excellent taste In bassists that’s for sure 😂😂😂
He was auditioning Metallica! He has the skills to play with Zappa ffs!!!!
yeah, I just heard about that story on please show the video of your trying out the next day🙃🙃🥴🥴🥴
So in the SKOM movie, the clip where they show Rob choosing what bass he's gonna play and the roadie telling him Metallica has like 200 bass guitars, Rob is actually hammered out of his mind? lol.
Legend true legend :)
Hope he wins the spot for metallica bassist..
Saw him many times with either ST and IG, never with Metallica though...Saw them only in 1990....
It actually sound like a test the way he saying the story.
He has mastered the Metallica art of talking plenty but not giving anything away.
Lars probably was testing Rob, because Metallica used to go so hard back in the day, James went from looking like a shy college kid to looking like a 40 year old man within the span of about five years. That takes a lot of abuse and punishment, plus losing Cliff. Jason had to go through that, and while they didn’t want Rob’s situation to end up like Jason’s, they still had to see how much he could take, on and off the stage. Being the most well known metal band in the world comes with a very high price.
what does he mean when Rob says that there wasn't time for him to get hazed when he officially joined the band? Like they were so busy touring or something? lol I think the guys at that point had already grown up and it was a completely different situation too, that's all.
I think he should start another band or project. But im not up on his profile... maybe he does already. I can listen to him talk atleast and he's a great bass player.
He has several. Listen to the metallica podcast, he’s a very frequent guest on there and he’s always busy with something.
Best bassist of Metallica
Metallica did become Metallica again , when Robert did come into the band.
@1:18 "James is sober. He's, he's gone through uh, you know uh um uh, what's it called, rehab". So perfect. People still blah blah blah about Jason's death metal backup vocals but this guy is more Metallica in the ways that count.
Lars Lurs Rob to go bar and drink until 5 am and next day to show up at the studio 😂😂😂 Lars is testing Rob to see if he can handle high stress with Metallica .😮
Everyone hates on Lars but to be able to do get wasted and go to sleep at 5 am and then go jam in the studio auditioning bass players and not let it be know that he’s hung over. It takes a special liver to do that.
Kinda sounded like Lars purposely wanted Rob to fail the audition ngl 💀
larga vida al bajista de los 50 mil nombres
So rob was wasted in that legendary audition video? Cool.
You can't haze a guy that's skill level is on par if not even more technical than you. Wish they would've treated Jason the same. All 3 bass players great in their own right
No wonder he looked stoned or on something when he auditioned, he was hungover
It doesn't matter who plays bass for Metallica. I can't hear their bass lines. 😂
He never fit the image of Metallica for me. Nothing against him or his playing.
Why?
@@rylanfernandes7371 🤷♂️
@@alwaystraining54 then fuck off dude if you can’t back your opinion because the dude shreds
Idk man. Seems like he brought the fun back to them.
Same. I always see him as the new guy, even though he’s been in Metallica for 21 years or so. I’m a Jason purist I guess.
Halls covers the smell
How many people commenting are an original fan of Metallica?
Metal
I think Jason era was definitely the best. But rob was a good replacement
The real audition was actually the drinking part…
James' doctor: "Stay away from people with drinking habits".
If james was still drinking in those days, there is no way rob would have survived lol. James could drink anyone under the table
Is this before or after Trujillo and Bordin screwed Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake on Ozzy's first 2 solo albums by recording over their original bass and drum tracks?
Lars, our drummer.
Oh okay.
This guy is awsome... buy I still think that a big part of metallica died when jason left
Metallica gets the perfect bassist and Lars manages to almost mess it up
Did he really say "Lars, my drummer"? As if he's playing in a random garage band and needs to explain who is doing what.
Just replace the drummer and you have a legit band that deserves this guy. He is a legend they don’t deserve.
Great guy, great bass player, wrong guy for Metallica
I feel really bad for R.T. having to listen to L.U. and J.H. cry all the time. Especially Lars. That name just fits that dude. And he can't drum that well either. J.H. was wrong when he made fun of Cobain's suicide too. So wrong. And L.U. back there laughing was my last listen. Sorry.
Can't imagine how Lars played after being hung over.
Just as usual I dare suspect.
Tribal chief
Metallica definitely made the right call as did Rob joining the group just look at his net worth compared to Michael Muirs. ST just not bringing in the same $$
Which is funny cuz Lars is legit bad. Like In the realest way. It's so interesting watchn a compilation that got put out on Tik Tok that highlights his playing of bad n how non practiced he is. Of course he's super important and inspirational..but dude doesn't care about drums
"Lars, our drummer" yea bro bro i think they know who lars is lol
Newsted back please!!!!!
Lars vs Bass players. I honestly believe Lars hates Bass.
Haha, Lars already knew he was the guy after the drinking session 🤘🏽
Did the turn robs bass down? Lol 😂
Not sure why, but watching this makes me cry. Anyone else relate?
feels like yesterday ?
Rob T...is incredible Bass Player! All.fast Fingers! His fingers is a Pick!! Lol
So f.n..bad ass!!!😎🤟🤟🤟👏☝️💪🦾
Beat bass player ever had.
Why's it so hard to be a responsible adult for most people haha. You know you have something very important the next day but we go out drinking all night.
If you were a pirate back then, Lars would have sued you!!!
the least metal story ever told,no crumpets and tea
Big deal. I do that every Friday night.
With bud light most likely
Dang
@@Mari000 I'm retired after working over 40 years of manual labor. Had double knee replacements and spinal fusion surgery. I deserve a few drinks.
@@lw3918 So you're just another busted up retired blue collar who thinks he's hot shit for being a champion level alcoholic. What a surprise.
Lars needed alcohol to hide the cocaine. Rob wasn't going to keep up for long unless he also had a taste.