Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo certainly knows his punk and hardcore, having played with Suicidal Tendencies and still being a part of Infectious Grooves. But what are some of his favorite modern hardcore bands? In an interview with the Turned Out A Punk podcast, Trujillo said he's getting into bands like Vein.fm, Sunami, and Terror thanks to his kids.
"This music is still here, and vibrant. There are hardcore bands that are kicking ass, and that whole movement is growing. I see it with my kids, because they're listening to some of these bands–a lot of them–and just loving it, and they're getting me into it now! Bands like Vein.fm and Sunami and Terror and these different groups. I'm getting sucked in too and I'm like the oldest guy at the gig. I'm sitting there like an old man and I'm watching all this go down [laughs]. So I feel like there's something brewing, and that excites me."
It's always great to see bigger names like Trujillo shouting out smaller artists, especially when it comes to passing the torch to the next generation. Now if we could just get Metallica to play a small club with those bands, we'd be all set.
Trujillo is having a pretty big year himself, namely that he got to perform his first-ever vocals on the latest Metallica record 72 Seasons.
"When I joined Metallica, I'd never sung in my whole life, so the fact that I can now support a backup vocal is pretty cool. For the first time in my life, I get to sing on a Metallica record ['You Must Burn!'] and support James. I'm very proud of that. So we're getting better, we're learning and still growing in this band right now, and the respect level is much higher. Oftentimes Lars calls me, sometimes he's checking in or wants my opinion on something – same thing with Kirk. And I love that. I love the idea that there's trust and respect."
Trujillo elaborated on his vocal spot, saying it's nothing crazy but one that certainly fits his voice and personality. It also sounds like it's part of a bass breakdown, meaning Trujillo's really about to have a moment on 72 Seasons!
"It's the first time that James [Hetfield] and [engineer Greg Fidelman' had probably ever really trusted me with that position on a recording of this stature," he said in an interview. I was surprised when I got the call from Greg because I was coming up to play a little bass, but then he said, 'I'm going to have you sing on a couple things, too.' And I was like, 'Really?' I got a little nervous. At the same time, I was very motivated.
"Fortunately for me, the part really does suit my comfort zone, so to speak. The vibe and the interesting – I don't know, I wouldn't say the 'quality' in what I had to offer – but the part lends itself to my personality, to my voice, and it sits and slots in really well with the moment and bass breakdown. So it's cool that it's this breakdown that James and I were able to jam on and create, and then I get to sing on it too!"
