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Looking Back Up at the Mountain:
An Interview with Jason Newstead of Voivod
By Shawn Walters
Jason Newstead was always perceived as an outsider in his old gig as Metallica's bassist, regardless of being in the band for over a decade. His passion to create music of the weirdest nature and jam with ANY musician (and ultimately record with them) was the catalyst that ultimately lead to his departure from the perennial rock powerhouse in January 2001. However, it was those same attributes that brought Jason into the musical fold of one his idols: Canadian techno-thrash pioneers Voivod. Now a full-time bassist in Voivod, things are looking up for "Jasonic": a new CD currently out in stores through his personal label, Chophouse Records www.chophouserecords.com, a quality spot on Ozzfest 2003's Second Stage this summer, and a pending co-headlining jaunt with Sepultura. Speaking of Ozzfest, in a sick, twisted game of metal musical chairs, Jason has replaced bassist Rob Trujillo in Ozzy Osbourne's live band due to Rob's taking the bassist gig in, you guessed it, Metallica. We caught up with Jason (who just turned 40 on 3/4) and talked about Voivod, Metallica, and all things metal. (Editors note: Shortly after this interview, Newstead was officially hired as Ozzy’s bassist.)
I understand that this past Tuesday (March 4) was your 40th birthday.
That’s right!!!
How was it, did you get any good presents?
Yeah, I got some good presents actually. (Laughs) I got a call from Ozzy Osbourne. That’s a pretty good present. It’s hard to beat that. It was a good birthday, everything has been fine. I’ve been kicking a lot of ass and keeping real busy with VoiVod and a lot of the other projects. So music is happening in a big way.
Heavy metal is alive and well out here in California.
It’s alive and well everywhere. I’ve been telling that to a lot of people in Buffalo. You also had a good birthday present in that the new Voivod CD was released on your birthday.
Yes, that’s a big deal for me. It’s very symbolic to have that record come out on that day. I think it’s my best bass performance that I’ve put out. The CD coming out on that day, my 40th birthday shows that I’m ready to kick more ass.
You’ve been a VoiVod fan for years, now you’re in the band. You wrote a song “M-Body” for them on their 1995 CD “Phobas.” What led to you joining the band?
We have been talking about it for quite a few years, really since 1996 when we had a project called Tar Rat; it was the drummer Away, guitarist Piggy and I. We were just making noise and working at my studio the Chophouse. We knew when we started doing some multi-tracking that there was a chemistry that was really happening. We’ve all played with a lot of different musicians and you could tell when you click with some one else musically. So it’s been seven years that we talked about making this (VOIVOD) CD. We called Snake (VoiVod vocalist) in to do a demo for the people that give a crap, that want to listen to some Metal. It was never really a plan where we were going to be a band that was going to tour and do all the things that we are doing now. But, that all created itself. Snake came in and we started rocking, they came out on Sept, 24, it was Piggy’s birthday. We played in the Chop House, our amps in a circle. 130 db’s, blasting at each other, like in the old days. It was great. Three days later, I announced that I was going to be in the band. 50 days later we had an album completed. So, it was something that we were very serious about. Nobody’s new to this. We have a lot of experience, a lot of shows under our belts. Everyone knew what we were headed for. We had 20 songs, in which we lowered to 13. We just knocked them out. We continue to chase the feeling, that the one thing that you have to remember. People start to forget that once they get famous or rich.
Outside of the creative aspect of VoiVod, what is the most drastically different element of working with VoiVod as opposed to working with Metallica?
Absolute teamwork. Everybody’s in the same room together for the same reasons. One agenda, to make killer music. Not four separate agendas that our going to take priority to what’s suppose to be happening. These guys have been through so much and they still are really hungry. They never got the recognition they truly deserved over time, so they are still looking for it. And now I have stepped up to present that opportunity in a bigger way than the ever had before. It’s my quest for them to be able to feed themselves by playing their instruments. Not by answering to some Joe at a freaking shop somewhere. They’re too good and talented to have top do that kind of stuff. So, I’m basically spending my own hard earned money to make sure that people get good music and that’s what I’m doing right now. I didn’t make any money on Echobrain and I haven’t made any money yet on VoiVod, but hopefully I will. But, it’s all because I believe in these guys. They’ve done it for a long time and still freaking mean it.
I was just recently reading that you are pretty much financial sound from your days in Metallica. You definitely made some sound financial decisions.
Yeah, I saw early on in 1988 when Metallica played the Monsters of Rock tour with Kingdom Come, Dokken, the Scorpions and Van Halen. We played second on the bill, 2:30pm. It was sometimes a 110% in the shade. But people where there to see Metallica. It was sick. But at the same time, we were on tour with bands that invented partying in the 80’s. There were piles of devil dandruff everywhere. And that was not cool. So I checked it out for a second and by the third month of that tour, I said that I would never like some of those guys. Never! I was going to be a strong player and I’ll do what I do, maybe have a couple beers; I’ll do what I want to when I want to. But, I’m not going to be stupid with it. A lot of guys probably did as good as I with their earnings, but they weren’t smart about it.
Obviously, you’re a huge fan of VoiVod, so you are well versed in it. But, when you decided to commit yourself full time to the project, was their anything that you found intimidating in joining a band with such intricate musically and lyrically.
I was so excited about the music and noise that we were making that it really took me back and I really wasn’t thinking about all that other stuff. I was just so overwhelmed by the feeling again. That real feeling. I haven’t felt it that strong in such a long time. Once I got in and started learning the songs, I knew it was going to be difficult. But, as a musician it was quite challenging to play this music. As I learned new songs and got going on learning the set list, I started to re-learn the band and started to re-appreciate the band. I realized that it was going to take a lot of effort, but it be worth it. They are no slouches when it comes to putting thing together. It’s not like a regular composition; it’s usually 23 things to remember in a four minute song. Musically and dexterity, it’s a real challenge.
VoiVod has just been added to the 2003 OzzFest. What bands are you looking forward to seeing on that tour?
I like Killswitch Engaged, they have some good juice. And Shadows Fall they have some promise, I haven’t listen to them enough to be convinced by it yet. But, people seem to like it a lot. There are a lot of things going on with that (Ozzfest). When Ozzy called me, he asked if I would come down and jam with him. If it works out over this weekend and we rock like we are suppose to rock, I played with Mike Bordin yesterday at the Chophouse and felt pretty good about that. I felt confident about my bass parts. I’m working my balls off learning these songs. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, to play with a legend like Ozzy. If it all works out my way, then I will be pulling double duty and playing with both Ozzy and VoiVod.
Speaking of Ozzy, what’s your favorite Ozzy song?
Believer, it has a huge bass intro. It’s going to be uglier than ever. Some of the old stuff, some of the old Black Sabbath is on the set list that I want to present to Ozzy when I walk in. I have a lucky 13 songs on there. Six of them are old Sabbath tunes. That’s were it’s at for my, so I’m hoping that he yells out one of those that I can crush. I put the other songs like “Crazy Train,” on my list, but I want to play Sabbath. (laughs)
I think that there would be some great chemistry between you Zakk, Mike and Ozzy. I was just reading an article in which Zakk said that you a good kid.
Yeah. That’s cool.
Would you ever consider collaborating/recording with someone like Ozzy in the future. With you being a full time member of VoiVod, it’s this something you have time and want to do?
Yeah, VoiVod is my band. I’m a member of that band. The Ozzy thing is an opportunity. If he asks me to play Bass for a show I will. If he asks me to play on a song, I will. For this tour, this year, Ozzy has asked VoiVod to tour with him for most of the year. That’s were their bass player is going to be, so that’s were they need to be. That’s how it’s come across so far. So, if it all happens like it’s suppose to, that’s how it will all be. VoiVod will be opening for Ozzy all across the globe.
It’s been a while since you really toured, are you ready to do double duty like that?
The last tour date with Echobrain was in June. So, it’s been a while. I have been playing a lot. Mike and I played for at least eight hours yesterday. I’ve been doing six to eight hours daily on Ozzy stuff for the past week.
Let’s talk a little about you the Chophouse. You’ve worked with a lot of bands from the bay area like Machine Head and Exodus. I’ve heard that you don’t throw anything out and there are no overdubs.
That’s exactly right. You’ve done your homework. No overdubs in the Chophouse and we capture what happens on the moment. Yesterday, we filled up three CD’s of our noise; I have literally hundreds of hours of all of those jams from all those people that I’ve worked with.
Do you have it all archived?
Yes, it’s all chronological. Ready to be shared with the people over the years.
What’s the one thing that you are most proud of?
The IR8 Project. Which is the first one that is out now, it’s with Devin Townsend, released in 94. That was the beginning of our real metal recordings. That was pretty special. It was total project fun, never to be taken too seriously. Another one that involved Devin was Devin on guitar, Scott Reeder on bass of Kyuss, I on six string bass and Dale Crover of the Melvins on drums. That was very special as far as the music goes. You can check out info on all these projects on www.chophouserecords.com
Speaking of other projects, you also produced Speed Dealers most recent CD. What did you like about the band that got you involved with them?
Rawness, real guys that are not afraid of doing over 300 shows a year out of the back of a v an and go through whatever it takes to bring their very, very abrasive music to people. That’s the kind of people that I like working with. I don’t like it any other way. They have to have that kind of work ethic. That was the first thing. They also reminded me of the early days when I use to do shows with six punk bands when I was with Flotsam and Jetsam in the desert in Phoenix. That’s what they are, no nonsense, they’re the road crew, no wasted breath of words or father between songs. It’s like turning the hot faucet on full for 35 to 40 minutes. Not ever letting it simmer down. No middle ground.
Burning the people. When your VoiVod schedule slows down do you have plans to producer or get involved in any other projects?
I think that for this next I will only produce if I’m in the band. That’s the only way right now that I can dive in and put my full 110% in and give my options and be a prick when I need too and be nice when I need too.
What are your thoughts about your replacement in Metallica Robert Trujillo?
Awesome, they couldn’t have got a better guy. A great guy, takes good care of himself, good heart, serious player, keeps himself busy in music. They once again could be a force to reckon with. It’s up to the other guys in Metallica to step up to Rob. I’m not worried about James so much, but Rob is a real good player.
It’s going to definitely be interesting to see the results.
I can’t wait, I’m going to be in the crowd. I can’t wait to see Metallica live buddy. I been waiting a long time, this will be my chance.
Would you ever consider jamming with Wes Boland formerly of Limp Bizkit?
Yeah, sure. I’ll jam with anybody anywhere. I never say no to any of that stuff. Saxophone players, soul singers it doesn’t matter to me. Especially with someone so wacky like Wes, I know I could lay down some pretty ugly things for him to do his stuff on. If that ever comes about, let’s rock.
I think Wes was the reason that Limp Bizkit was Limp Bizkit.
Yeah, he has some serious music talent. The guy knows how to move stuff around. Jesus that was a real tough break for them to lose someone like that. I’m interested to hear what their music sounds like without him.
At any time during the peak of Metallica, did you ever think you would find yourself completely disassociated with them?
It’s not possible to be disassociated all the way with them. Stepping out of the band, I’ve though about those things for some years. But as far as being totally disassociated, I would never want to be. We’re business partners for the rest of our lives, because of what we helped create together. I want to stay cool with those guys forever. There is no reason not to be. What ever people want to stir up between us is pretty much all crap. I’m the only human being on the planets, who was their fan first then spend fifteen years with them and now their fan again. Nobody else can say that. Now, I’m very proud of them and want nothing more than them the come out with a great record. The bigger, the heavier, the cooler their album is, the better it is for everyone else that plays metal. So, let’s all hope for the best.
It sounds like a lot of friendly competition.
It is. I don’t even know if it’s competition. It’s like stimulation. It’s like dude, let’s do it. I lit a fire under their ass when I came in and I’m hoping I can by walking away too. You have to realize what’s important to people and what makes them tick. I seen it about them, they’re seen it about me. We got two killer bands out of it, maybe three with Ozzy.
VoiVod’s going out on a US tour before Ozzfest, you’ve just announced some dates. So, what can fans expect from VoiVod live show now that you’re involved and Snakes back in the band?
There will be some serious Metal. That’s for sure. I real excited in seeing what happens, the whole action reaction thing on stage. I know that Piggy’s is real crazy anyways, once he gets going. Snake and I kind of look like brothers, especially when we are on stage, we do look alike. It’s going to be wicked. Snake, he’s a front man. There are a lot of singers in the world, but he’s a front man. He presents the band to you. And that’s what he does. Ladies and gentleman, here’s my boys.
What are you tour plans for the US?
Starting in the middle of April, we go out with Sepultura. We will be doing a co-headlining thing. Both bands will play for an equal amount of time and go out and rock for the people. Then VoiVod will be opening for Ozzy across Canada. Then VoiVod will be on OzzFest. We will take that across the water and do some festivals. So, we have a busy year.
You also have a video in the works for “We Carry On.” You got some guys from Lucas films to help out with that.
Yes, they approached us actually. They were long time VoiVod fans. They wanted to help us out with that. So we completed that and it’s been on the T.V. a few times last week. I’m excited about it. It came out pretty cool. It’s very raw and it’s four pioneers of Metal. It’s just us dressed in black, kicking ass. So check it out.
Any closing thoughts?
Everyone get ready for metal this summer. It’s back!!! It went into a little hibernation for a while, but it’s time for it to rear its gnarly head again.
VoiVod on the net www.voivod.com
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