Metallica America Online Chat 7/6/98 DCC 6Oscar: Hi, folks, and welcome to the Rock 103.5 chat with Metallica live from Chicago. DCC 6Oscar: Let's all welcome James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett! DCC 6Oscar: Welcome, gentleman! Mtllca1035: thank you. DCC 6Oscar: Are you enjoying a rare day off? Mtllca1035: (James) my colon is. DCC 6Oscar: How's the tour going so far, guys? Mtllca1035: (James) Excellent. DCC 6Oscar: Any highlights (or lowlights) so far? Strange experiences? Mtllca1035: (Kirk) Great. There's lots of cigarette lighters in the audience somewhere around the end of "One." Mtllca1035: (James) Absolutely. Last night was definitely the best one, crowd-wise. DCC 6Oscar: Glad to hear that, James. Ready for some questions from the folks? Mtllca1035: Absolutely. Question: How do you pick the songs you will play at your live shows? (I liked the mix last night) Mtllca1035: (Kirk) We pick the ones that we can remember. DCC 6Oscar: Do they differ radically from night to night? The tunes? Mtllca1035: (James) Not really. We like to hone in on a set and make it sharp & potent. Mtllca1035: (Kirk) Like a knife in your face. Like a loaded gun pointed at your face. Question: Hi guys..I cant wait to see you guys on tour at Giants and in Hartford. Is there gonna be an appearance of "Fixxxer" on the setlist at either of those shows? Thanks for playing "Killing Time" down in Melbourne for Scaryguy98..You made us all happy ;) Mtllca1035: (Kirk) Yes, you'll hear something. Thanks. Question: Hey Jaymz, what's the story behind playing most of the new stuff inThe key of E flat or half step down tuning? Mtllca1035: (James) It's to scare you more. Mtllca1035: (Kirk) It's easier to bend strings. Mtllca1035: (James) Slightly easier on the throat as well. Mtllca1035: (Kirk) And slightly heavier. Question: What do you think of this new wave of "metal" like KoRn and Coal Chamber that disgraces the great music that we all know and love? Mtllca1035: (Kirk) Change is good. Nuff said. DCC 6Oscar: I have a question for James. How's fatherhood treating you? Mtllca1035: (James) Excellent. I get pictures daily through the wonder of email. DCC 6Oscar: I bet it makes it hard to be on the road, right? Mtllca1035: (James) It was definitely more difficult to leave this time than it ever has been. Question: Do you think that future songs are going to have a different feel,Or effect, now that James is a father, and three of you are married? Mtllca1035: (James) More songs about murder, maybe. Mtllca1035: (Kirk)And crimes of passion. Question: Will Metallica ever do an unplugged set similar to the radio gig they did? Mtllca1035: (Kirk) Every night we do a short acoustic set. Coming soon to a backyard near you. Question: How do you guys feel about people who say that Metallica sold out? Mtllca1035: (James): I can tell you it was sold out last night for sure! DCC 6Oscar: LOL! DCC 6Oscar: Thanks James and Kirk. Welcome, Lars Ulrich and Jason Newsted! DCC 6Oscar: Ready for some questions from the fans? Mtllca1035: Absolutely Question: Why did you guys calm down your music from being real heavy? What Were your reasons? Mtllca1035: (Lars) We didn't. Question: Are there plans for another album soon? Mtllca1035: (Lars): Look for one on November 17. Mtllca1035: (Jason) An album of cover songs. It's both "Garage Days" with additional tracks. Question: I understand that Lars has his own record label now and that a band from Chicago may get signed by them. Any truth to that rumour? Mtllca1035: (Lars) I can't confirm or deny that. DCC 6Oscar: You guys seem so close to your fans. Was that always your intent from the start? Mtllca1035: (Lars) It's not something you do on purpose, it's the way we are, man. Question: I saw your concert last night in Rockford. It ruled. Where did you come up with the idea for the acoustic stuff? Mtllca1035: (Jason) From Neil Young's benefit last year. It was an experiment and it worked. Question: A local violinist, Rachel Barton, has recorded some of your music quite sucessfully. Have you heard her versions of "One" and "Fade to Black?" If so what is your opinion of them? Mtllca1035: (Jason) Yes, we've heard them and they're very good. DCC 6Oscar: Are you flattered when you hear covers of your songs? Mtllca1035: (Jason): Yes. It's always interesting to me. Mostly I like it. Mtllca1035: (Lars) I think people should cover our songs regardless of what the result is or how we feel about it. Question: What's up guyz. I'm going to see you at Giants Stadium next Friday. Is the rumour true that Howard Stern will sing the "na-na-na-na" part in "Memory Remains?" Mtllca1035: (Jason) Yes, we hope he's there to do that. Question: Jason, you've been getting some writing credits for other bands Question: (Sepultura, Voivod, Jim Martin). When will see more of you in Metallica? Mtllca1035: (Jason) When the day comes. Question: I heard that at the concert last night, you guys were scheduled to Play "Damage Inc." What happened? Mtllca1035: (Jason) You heard wrong. Question: Hey Metallica, are you going to be expanding sonically even more in the near future? Mtllca1035: (Jason) You betcha. Question: Will you ever play "Dyers Eve" in the future? Mtllca1035: (Lars) As long as I write the set lists, no. Question: Is there anyway you could come back to Chicago next year instead of In two years? Mtllca1035: (Lars): Please write down the following bank account information . . . That was a joke. Question: Will you ever tour with Megadeath in the U.S. and will we ever see Dave Mustaine on stage with Metallica in Chicago? Mtllca1035: (Lars) Please write down Dave Mustaine's bank account info . . . Question: Lars, Jason, what's up with the new cover album? Any kinda idea for what the extra songs will be? Mtllca1035: (Lars) We're throwing lots of ideas around at the moment. DCC 6Oscar: Speaking of covers.... who would you like to see cover a Metallica song? Any dream artists? Mtllca1035: (Jason) MetallicABBA. Mtllca1035: (Lars) Barbra Streisand. DCC 6Oscar: Any particular song? And would you back her? Mtllca1035: (Lars) "Dyers Eve." Question: Jason I loved your bass solo last night when did u start playing bass? Mtllca1035: (Jason) In 1978 or so. Question: I think it rocks you have that "Ecstacy of Gold" thing back...are you planning on bringing any other old concert traditions back? Mtllca1035: (Lars) I don't PLAN anything . . . stuff around here happens very Spontaneously. DCC 6Oscar: Folks, we only have time for two more questions. The band has been very generous with their time on an off day in Chicago. Question: What is your favorite song that you've done? Mtllca1035: (Lars) It changes all the time, at the moment it's "Bleeding Me." Mtllca1035: (Jason) "Outlaw Torn" or "Dyers Eve." Question: I was wondering if Metallica ever feels that they have gotten too Large, and do they mind the popularity they've received in the last few years? DCC 6Oscar: Good question to end with. Mtllca1035: (Lars) Too large? I'm back down to my touring weight of 132. Actually, given a choice, I'd rather do what we do and be popular than not. DCC 6Oscar: Thanks Jason and Lars, James and Kirk. Best of luck down the road!