Central New York heavy metal fans are looking forward to this weekend’s Metallica concert in Syracuse. However, one of the band’s former members won’t be there… but, he is playing concerts to benefit the Everson Museum this summer.
Any true Metallica fan, and even those who just like to rock out occasionally probably know the bass groove of “Enter Sandman.” The bass player is none other than Jason Newsted.
"Whenever I hear it though... somebody else say it, I'm still kinda amazed at it all, actually. Really, I never thought it would be that kind of a thing. It was always such a day by day situation, grinding it out all those years and stuff and then for it to come to fruition like that is pretty amazing. Fifteen years that I spent with those guys were the peak of that band as far as global popularity and they are still hugely powerful. That has paved the way for me to be able to all the projects and all the things that I want to do now, so it worked out really good."
Newsted began playing music at 9 years-old. He hopes his concerts with his band Newsted and Friends will ignite curiosity and empower youth and adults to create music or art.
"It doesn't matter if we're just 2 guys on acoustic and we're firing up a Neil Young song or Johnny Cash or something... the feeling of playing the song together, the music flowing through your body, the hum of the instrument against your heart... all these things is what I want other people to feel. I want to share that feeling because once you taste that taste, you never want to stop tasting it."
A shoulder injury put Newsted on the sidelines in the early 2000’s during three shoulder surgeries. His wife Nikki is a professional artist and she help him recover by introducing him to paint.
"The intertwining of the music and the art it's vital especially now in this time of our country and our world to let kids feel that accomplishment... feel like they did something for themselves. It's important they get that little shiny part of their crown from taking some time and focusing on something in a world of constant distraction," he said.
Newsted and Friends perform July 18th and 19th this summer at the Everson Museum auditorium and includes an art exhibit from artist Tyler K. Smith.
