Kirk Hammett talks touring, his horror movie poster collection, burritos and more

Metallica is currently on their “WorldWired” tour in support of their latest album, Hardwired…To Self-Destruct. Baby Huey and Chasta got the chance to sit down in an exclusive interview with guitarist Kirk Hammett before Metallica’s performance at the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, August 12.

 

Chasta: Today is a big day for you. Your poster collection, you’ve got a big deal going on in Salem, Massachusetts:

Kirk Hammett: The show actually opens today, (August 12) in Salem, Massachusetts at the Peabody Essex Museum and it’s the first museum show of its kind, based on horror movie posters. It’s 150 of the best pieces from my collection and today is the opening day and I’m very, very excited. I’m going to be there next week for three days doing a Q&A, showing up with my guitar and playing some music. Only two nights ago I finished the musical accompaniment piece to it called “The Maiden and the Monster.” I gave it to them yesterday and they’re like, ‘Fantastic, it’ll work just fine.’ I’m like (sigh of relief).

C: You hit your deadline.

KH: I only worked on it everyday since April. I had some help with my wife. She actually helped me with parts of it. But yea, I’m really excited about it, I’m going to be there next week doing my thing with my movie posters. I’m really, really excited about it, very, very happy about it. They put a book out; so it’s the second book now that’s based on my collection. I’m pretty happy about that too.

Baby Huey: It’s very well documented your amazing collection of horror movies, all that stuff…What is your most prized possession out of all that stuff?

C: If your house was going to burn down, what would you grab?

KH: I don’t know, it kind of changes every single time. I don’t know if I would grab a movie poster, I don’t know if I’d grab a movie prop, I don’t know if I’d grab one of my guitars. I’d obviously grab family mementos and artifacts, all that sort of stuff, so we wont even get into that. If I had 5 seconds to decide, I’d probably grab that Mummy 3 sheet, which is what my guitar is based on. I love that image; I’m just transfixed with that image. I just love the size of it, it feels like it can just engulf me. I feel like I can just walk into that poster and just get lost forever.

C: So your love of horror films started when you were very young. I was scarred for life by clowns in IT at the same age…Do you like clowns?

KH: You know I kind of have a weird kind of clown thing too. You know its not as bad as other people. I know some people who just can’t even think about clowns who just turn around and start running the other way. You know…I see the creepiness that clowns may have but I just have so many positive memories of going to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus when I was a kid and seeing all those clowns and laughing at them so much. I have a positive reinforcement about clowns.

BH: What is your all time favorite horror movie?

KH: I love the classics from the 30’s. I love the original Frankenstein, the original Dracula, the original Mummy. I love those so much, but then I love horror movies from all periods. I love a lot of relatively new horror films. I have so many favorites it’s hard for me to pinpoint one special one that I like.

BH: What are your thoughts on…Universal is recently trying to bring back the Dark Universe, they just had The Mummy this summer, they’re trying to do more of that. Are you excited for these potential reboots?

KH: I still have yet to see The Mummy, so I don’t really have an informed opinion on that yet. Anytime they pay attention to any of those characters, I think it’s great. I think it’s wonderful. Keep it going, keep the storylines going, because eventually the people who are interested will trace it back to those original films from the 30’s.

C: You told a story about high school being bullied by some dudes that were in a truck with some spider webs on the side, do you remember telling that story?

KH: They were just local neighborhood hoodlums who kind of like cruised around looking for trouble. They picked on anyone who were easy targets who looked different from them. We called them “gravy boys.” What they were…they were people with very low IQs. They had nothing better to do with their time except for bulling other people. They used to terrify us all the time, you know, ‘What the heck?” Then we go down the other side of town and then there were the Mexican gangs we had to constantly worry about as well. It was crazy. We would know the walk if one of those cholos was packing. They’d walk a certain and we’d just try not to like go anywhere near those guys. They’d just walk a certain way.

C: The ‘burbs get gnarly.

KH: This was like 30 years ago.

BH: Just touch on the tour real quick. How everything’s been going, it’s been badass I’m assuming with Avenged Sevenfold, Volbeat, all those bands:

KH: It’s been more than badass, it’s been in-f—king-credible…constantly being blown away everywhere we go. It’s been a while since we’ve been in America doing a tour like this. We were a little bit apprehensive, ‘Are people going to show up with the same enthusiasm that they did last time.’ But they certainly have in droves and then more so. People are showing the love more than ever for Metallica and it’s great. Just as importantly we seem to be reaching a lot of new fans who have never seen us before and to us that’s fantastic.

C: Can you try to put into words what its like to walk out on that stage to that energy that hits you? I know you do yoga before you go out on stage; is that why, because you’re trying to get in a place mentally?

KH: Yoga puts me in the moment, helps me focus and keep my feet on the ground. But walking out onto that stage in front of all those people and feeling all their love and appreciation, because you do feel it in all their excitement and adrenaline. Have you ever just walked into a room that’s filled with friends and family and they’ve been expecting you and they’re like, ‘Alright they’re finally here, hey.’… It’s the same feeling that you get when you see someone and they’re genuinely happy to see you or glad to see you or seeing you finally after a long time. It’s not that much different it’s just amplified a lot more. And then we hit those first few chords and then we’re already into having a good time with everyone.

BH: Matt [Heafy] guitarist from Trivium: What’s his favorite thing to eat, absolute favorite dish on earth, one that tops anything he’s ever had? It can be over the top or something very simple:

KH: I grew up on 20^th and South Van Ness (San Francisco). There was a store a block away that sold burritos for two quarters. This is like in 1968 or ‘69. Ever since I could remember, I’ve always loved Mexican food. I’ve been eating burritos for most of my life. I was thinking about just the concept of the burrito; it’s a perfect meal. It’s everything; It’s so portable. It’s so gratifying. The “food log” rules. We call it the “food log.”

C: What do you love about music?

KH: It makes me feel good. I know that when I play my guitar and I’m feeling good when I’m playing it and I look up and someone happens to be watching me, I can see that they’re feeling good too. So there you go. It all comes down to that. I started playing guitar because you know, ‘I have emotional problems.’ (laughs) It was one of the only things that I found that could calm me down when I was a kid. I was able to use it to ground myself and be more in the moment. And it was also because I have OCD, it kind of fit perfectly into that too. Just like obsessed with it, playing it all the time…It hasn’t changed. For me music basically just… it saved my life. If I didn’t have music, I would’ve just went a route…who knows. I was on a pretty bad path when I discovered music and music kept me from going farther down that path as a youth.

C: If you weren’t a rock god what do you think you’d be doing these days?

KH: I don’t know maybe cooking some food with Matt Heafy [Trivium guitarist] at some restaurant in South Beach going, ‘Hey man, you play guitar too? Let’s get together some time.’ ‘Hey, mind that beurre blanc sauce, ok, don’t let that burn.’

C: I was going to thank you…Whenever I bought that album (Hardwired…To Self-Destruct) and put it on my running playlist…you guys improved my running time by a minute and a half.

KH: How long does it take you to do a mile?

C: I’m like nine and a half, 10 minutes.

KH: That’s better than me, I’m like 10 and a half. Usually it takes me between 31 and 32 minutes to run three miles. But I’m not really trying, I’m just cruise all the way. I put on a podcast, I just space out and just zone on my breathing. But I guess if I really wanted to run faster I probably could.

C: You should listen to Hardwired…To Self-Destruct; it will get you there.

KH: No, no. You don’t understand I listen to it enough, with making it…I only had to make it.

 Interview 1077thebone

Metallica’s Kirk Hammett opens up on his horror obsession

Metallica’s Kirk Hammett talks about his love of horror and the influence it’s had on his career in new interview.

The Metallica guitarist appears in a new video by Sotheby’s, who are auctioning a rare movie poster for classic 1932 horror flick The Mummy. Only three are known to exist, with Hammett owning one of them.

In the clip, Hammett talks about what sparked his fascination with horror, and how he began to collect his vast collection of posters, toys, artwork and books – and how the genre has influenced him in his career.

Hammett says: “I’m basically a day-dreamer, always have been, and when I pick up my guitar, which is the most ready way for me to express myself and my feelings, I have a tendency to play stuff that’s dark, haunting and in a minor key.

“I definitely attribute that to my earlier influence of the horror genre. It wasn’t just the movies, but it was also the books.”

Hammett’s collection of horror memorabilia titled It’s Alive! was previously displayed at the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts and will move to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto from July 13, 2019 to January 5, 2020.

Hammett features in the current horror issue of Metal Hammer magazine, which has been guest edited by Rob Zombie. The guitarist gives you his guide to the essential horror movies you have to watch this Halloween.

Metallica will reissue their 1988 album …And Justice For All on November 2 on CD, 3CD expanded edition, 2 x 180g LP, cassette, on digital platforms and a limited edition deluxe box set.

Metallica announces North American tour dates for 2018-2019

METALLICA has announced the details of the 2018-2019 North American leg of of its “WorldWired” tour in support of the band’s latest album, “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct”.

The 34-date trek kicks off September 2 in Madison, Wisconsin and runs through March 13 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tickets go on sale to the public starting March 2 at Live Nation and the Fan Club presale begins February 27. Each ticket purchase will be accompanied by a physical or digital copy of “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct”.

Says the band: “Following last summer’s sold-out 25-date stadium run, this year we’re bringing the in-the-round production currently being seen in European arenas to the U.S. and Canada kicking off on September 2, 2018, in Madison, WI. Along the way we’ll be visiting 34 cities we did not go to last year, including a few we haven’t been to in decades, including Grand Forks, ND (nearly 30 years), Sioux Falls, SD, El Paso, TX, Birmingham, AL (nearly 26 years) and State College, PA (20 years). About time, wouldn’t you say?!”

“The fall/winter tour will mark a few firsts for us as each show will get rolling with the Light It Up pre-show party hosted by our very good friend Jim Breuer. Jim, along with a DJ to get the night rocking with some great tunes, hits the stage before us with comedy, fan interaction, giveaways and much more. And if you love to travel and one show just isn’t enough, then perhaps the Wherever I May Roam Black Ticket is for you! For the first time in ‘TALLICA history, you may purchase one ticket that will allow you floor access to any METALLICA show on the 2018/2019 North American tour. Feel like trucking to Tulsa? Booking to Boise? Motoring to Minneapolis? No problem… you pick the show, call us no less than 48 hours before the gig and you’re in! A limited number of 250 of these Black Tickets* will be available for $598 (yes… we are celebrating the re-issue of the ‘Garage Days Re-Revisited’ EP!).

“Of course, some things don’t change! As we have been doing for most of the ‘WorldWired’ shows, every ticket purchased includes your choice of a standard physical or standard digital copy of ‘Hardwired…To Self-Destruct’. Keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend or family member… you’ll receive info via e-mail after your ticket purchase on how to obtain your copy. The enhanced experience options designed to take your METALLI-night to the next level are also returning as we continue to partner with the team that makes it all happen at CID Entertainment. You’ll have three options of special enhanced experiences, including premium tickets and amenities ranging from early access to the venue and the ‘Memory Remains’ exhibit of memorabilia to meeting some of us (!).

“Finally, we’ll continue to raise funds for our All Within My Hands foundation, which supports a cross-section of national, local and Bay Area charities, music education programs and local food banks. Continuing our collaboration with Crowdrise, we encourage you to make a donation when purchasing tickets to the upcoming shows and each time you donate, you’ll be entered to win tickets, pre-show party passes, meet and greet passes, and one lucky winner will be flown to the last show on the tour. 

Tour dates:

Sep. 02 – Madison, WI @ Kohl Center
Sep. 04 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
Sep. 06 – Lincoln, NE @ Pinnacle Bank Arena
Sep. 08 – Grand Forks, ND @ Alerus Center
Sep. 11 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford Premier Center
Sep. 13 – Winnipeg, MB @ Bell MTS Place
Sep. 15 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre
Oct. 16 – Milwaukee, WI @ Wisconsin Entertainment and Sport Center
Oct. 18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
Oct. 20 – State College, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
Oct. 22 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Oct. 27 – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
Oct. 29 – Albany, NY @ Times Union Center
Nov. 26 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
Nov. 28 – Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena
Nov. 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Smart Home Arena
Dec. 02 – Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
Dec. 05 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
Dec. 07 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
Dec. 09 – Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center
Jan. 18, 2019 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
Jan. 20, 2019 – Little Rock, AR @ Verizon Arena
Jan. 22, 2019 – Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Jan. 24, 2019 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
Jan. 28, 2019 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena
Jan. 30, 2019 – Cincinnati, OH @ U.S. Bank Arena
Feb. 01, 2019 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
Feb. 28, 2019 – El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
Mar. 02, 2019 – Lubbock, TX @ United Supermarkets Arena
Mar. 04, 2019 – Wichita, KS @ Intrust Bank Arena
Mar. 06, 2019 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
Mar. 09, 2019 – Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
Mar. 11, 2019 – Indianapolis, IN @ Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Mar. 13, 2019 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena

Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett remember Cliff Burton’s final show

Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich have spoken in-depth about Cliff Burton’s last show with Metallica before his untimely death.

Promoting their expansive box set reissue of ‘Master of Puppets’, which is out today, the guitarist and drummer were asked by Rolling Stone if it was emotional listening back to Cliff’s last ever gig at Solnahallen in Stockholm, Sweden on 26th September 1986 - one day before the bassist's death. 

A fan recording of the show features in the box set on cassette format, which also includes a digital download card.

Lars said of the gig: “Obviously, we're 31 years past (the show taking place). So you pause, you reflect, you think, you appreciate, you're humbled. I move so fast through a lot of the stuff that I never slow down long enough to reflect.

“And occasionally, when you sit with some of the stuff at 2 o'clock in the morning, you go, ‘Wow.’ When you sit there and listen to the last two songs or look at the pictures from the last show with him, it stops you in your tracks as you deal with it.”

Cliff, Kirk, Lars and James in 1986

Asked what they specifically remember about the show, Lars responded: “We'd finished playing all the Odeons in England, which are these old, 3,000-seat movie theatres and we got to Scandinavia where they were more like ice-hockey holes – smaller, colder, darker. It was a different vibe.

“We played the show in Stockholm, and it went incredibly well. I think it may have been a rare case where we actually played an additional song that wasn't on the set list, because the show was so good. That's not something we did a lot then or now. So, there was a good vibe.”

Kirk added: “It was significant because it was the first show where James played guitar again (James had broken his wrist in a skateboarding accident several months previous).

“He strapped on a guitar and was able to play the encore; I think it was "Blitzkrieg" or something. But I remember the five of us, including John Marshall (Kirk’s guitar tech and stand-in for James), being really stoked James was back and playing and looking like was gonna make a pretty healthy recovery.

“I distinctly remember that show being good, and the feeling when we got offstage was really great and positive and forward-looking. Like, ‘Great, James is back in and it won't be long 'til we're back to our old selves again.’

“It was that kind of mood after the show and then the accident happened and it literally felt like we were going from a hopeful sort of circumstance to one where we found ourselves in into a deep, black pit.”

 Cliff and James in 1984

Lars continued: “We did a lot of press that day, and we did a photo shoot for a Swedish magazine called OK, which was almost like a teenybopper magazine. We were sitting on the bus afterwards, talking about how cool it was, and Cliff and I were hanging out, having a beer. It's a little fuzzy now but it was a good day.”

“I remember right when we were about to leave in the bus, the fans started running towards us,” says Kirk. “Cliff said, ‘Look at them. They look like zombies!’ He was way into zombies. We were all just kind of laughing. Then we started playing cards. And we had a long, long drive. And everyone knows the rest of it.”