Full Metal Jackie interviewed Exodus and Slayer guitarist Gary Holt for her nationally syndicated radio show over the weekend, promoting the recent Exodus release, Blood In, Blood Out. The album, famously features a guest solo from founding Exodus member, and current Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett (we're pretty sure you've heard of him).
Gary offered an interesting bit of trivia when he was asked: What precedent was set by his original contributions that continued to be a part of the EXODUS sound today?
"Well, you know, Kirk taught me the [basics] of playing guitar — he showed me my first chords and he showed me my first licks, I hold the pick like he does, because that's just the way I always thought it was done. I didn't think there was another way to hold it, 'cause Kirk showed me that. And he has, you know, always been one of my best friends, and just over the years… [after] really reconnecting in the last few years, he came up and [I asked him], ' Why don't you play on the record?' And he was so excited, just fired up. It's kind of coming full circle. He was able to finally play on a recorded moment with the band he was a founder of, you know. And it was just awesome. It was killer. I was so stoked."
Imagine if Kirk Hammett and Gary Holt never met? We may never have had two of the most noted thrash bands in existance. Here's a retro photo of the two in their younger years, most likely from the book Murder in the Front Row.
