James Hetfield

James Hetfield: There is something powerful in Metallica, a will, a drive.

(On Ted Nugent and hunting) James Hetfield: Ted's pretty intense, put it that way. I love hunting; I love getting away and the quiet part of it all. I think he's a little opposite of that. Whack 'em and stack 'em, ya know.

(In reference to So Far, So Good, So What) James Hetfield: Megadeth's whole album could fit onto one of our sides.

(Talking about himself and his music before Metallica) James Hetfield: I was in a band called Obsession. And then there was another band called Leather Charm. Then I met Lars.

(Talking about his drinking) James Hetfield: If I'm hung over, I'd rather just stand on the side and play. We wanted to get a frontman but no one sang good enough so I just did both.

(Talking about his years in High School) James Hetfield: Back then (in highschool) you'd look under the music section of The Recycler for heavy metal, and there's like two people. The same people every f*ckin week into 'sex and Motorhead.

(On first jam with Lars) James Hetfield: He had a f*cked up, hella f*ckin cheap Gemco kit or whatever. We told him, 'Yeah, we'll give you a call,' and we never even called him back.

(In reference to TBA) James Hetfield: Economy my ass! That was the most expensive record we've ever made.

James Hetfield: I'm married to Metallica.

(In reference to how James starts the Metallica shows) James Hetfield: We've come here, TO KICK YOUR ASS!!! ...That's why you're here, right.

James Hetfield: Well, without getting really political, I think there have always been people who have been afraid of music and its potential for, I guess, social breakouts, or whatever you want to call it. You know, young kids are looking for something to grasp onto, whatever it may be. When you're that age, there's a lot of that feeling of needing to belong, whether it's wearing black lipstick and cutting the ass out of your pants, or whatever -- people are looking for things to grasp onto.

(In reference to styles of music) James Hetfield: We do have many styles of music, its called Metallica.

(Regarding his lifestyle) James Hetfield: I don't remember doing anything else; I don't remember not living in the studio. I'm itching for people to hear this album because I'm sick of hearing it myself.

(In reference to how long it took to make TBA) James Hetfield: We've been in the studio for so long, a war has come and gone, and we're still stuck in here.

(In reference to switching from Piano to Guitar) James Hetfield: I wanted to make noise, not study theory.

James Hetfield: I remember the first time we ever got an encore. It was a Monday night at two in the morning at the Troubadour and there was about ten people there but they were clapping and we came back for the encore. We were deciding on what song we were going to play and Lars starts up a different song! He just decided he wanted to play. And we hadn't practiced that song for like three months. I had forgot all the lyrics, but I went through the motions. And after the gig, I just turned right around and punched him out onstage! "You fucker!" I shouted. Got him in the gut. And people were going 'huh.

(Regarding his early days with Metallica) James Hetfield: In the early days, when we were playing clubs around LA, people didn't understand what we were about. 'Oh,' they'd think, 'a God-damned punk band,' and they'd throw chairs at us.

(About himself as a child) James Hetfield: I was pretty quiet as a child. I kind of hung out with my family and listened to music and sh*t. I wasn't too outgoing at all.

(About his life at home and his family) James Hetfield: My older stepbrother, David, was kind of a hippie, kind of a hairy guy. He went to college and stuff. He played drums in a band, and I used to go bash on the sh*t.

(his view on life) James Hetfield: Call it anarchy or whatever you want to--there's times when you wanna be able to do whatever the f*ck you want and, y'know, life's always short, so why shouldn't you.

(On married life) James Hetfield: You know, it's not as different as I thought, which is kind of disappointing. But it's fine. Everyone said, 'Oh, your life is going to be totally different,' and it's the same. Which is good, in a way. We discovered how much money influences certain things and discovered how things work in the United States. How things might seem okay on the outside, but internally, they're corrupt.

James Hetfield: We can do whatever the fuck we want, really. We've got carte blanche. I mean, when we did 'Fade to Black', that was our first ballad and it really blew a few minds out there. People wrote us off then; 'Fuck them! It's over. It's no longer speed metal.' Okay, fine. You can feel that way. But fuck you, too.

(On people showing up at his place) James Hetfield: I just walk out with the gun and say 'Hey!'. Oh yeah, I'm a meanie. I send my dogs after 'em... No, actually, I just tell 'em, 'This is my house and...leave me alone, okay'.

James Hetfield: My dad was always one of these 'Cut your hair!' kind of guys. My mom was more open to things. She painted a lot. She kinda reminded me of a Berkeley mom. She wasn't alive for any of my success with Metallica. It really pisses me off. But you know, I think she knows what's going on still.

James Hetfield: I would spend days just going through Lars' record collection, taping over my REO Speedwagon cassettes with bands like Angel Witch and Diamond Head and Motörhead. I was in heaven at his house.

James Hetfield: You can pick up a very shitty song to cover. I mean, the Foo Fighters doing 'Baker Street'? I don't get that at all. It does take me back to high school, I guess, or at least to a song that I completely fucking hated. So you have to be careful.

James Hetfield: I like a women who's got some balls, some strength. As long as I can beat her at arm wrestling, that's fine.

James Hetfield: My family went to the LA show. It was kinda weird. I hadn't seen 'em in quite a while. They liked it. They just wish I'd call more often.

(On AIDS) James Hetfield: This sh*t (AIDS) scares me. You know, one time and you're dead! Touring is the dangerous part. A lot of bands are going to be in trouble the way they carry on. I mean, we've been pretty bad, but on the last tour, no way! It was kinda, 'Scrw that!' Some of the roadies are pretty sick, as far as wearing rubbers or whatever. I don't know. I've never done that before...ha ha ha...and that's only MAYBE safe. It's very unhappening, this whole thing.

James Hetfield: When people start copying your style, you know that something must be happening.

James Hetfield: I sit there and I go 'Oh God, what am I gonna write?' and all of a sudden, it happens. The first line's down and all hell flows after that.

James Hetfield: We don't plan concepts. We didn't write RIDE THE LIGHTNING about death, or MASTER OF PUPPETS about manipulation. That just happens.

(Talking about his music back in 1988) James Hetfield: We do this basically for ourselves. People appreciate it, which is cool, but I think they appreciate that we're doing it for ourselves. We're doing it our way, and how people like it is not up to us. We like it.

(About their tour) James Hetfield: People were throwing shoes at us in SF and LA. I don't know why. It's like 'You guys are great. Here's my shoe.' People must have been walking around with one shoe.

(Talking about his young adulthood) James Hetfield: I love my job, play softball and have a great life. Things are a hell of a lot better now than when I was 21.

(On his problem with alcohol) James Hetfield: The first time I played sober was because I just forgot to drink. 'Damn' I thought...'I'm playing better.

(Words of wisdom and encouragement) James Hetfield: I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something.

(Talking about when they stay in Hotels) James Hetfield: Authority pisses me off. I think everyone should be able to drink and get loud whenever they want.

(After Cliff's death) James Hetfield: People probably thought 'Oh, they're not going to do the heavy lyrics now because of what happened.' Man, those lyrics mean a lot more to me now.

James Hetfield: Knowing Cliff's attitude, he'd kick our butt's if we quit.

(Talking about Cliff a band member before he died) James Hetfield: I remember this guy (Cliff) lit my couch on fire a couple of times.

James Hetfield: I remember back when I stood in line for 3 hours waiting for autographs, and when the star just hopped into his limo, and took off, I'd think 'You dick, I hate you.' I'd go home, rip down all his posters..."

(3 reasons why James said that his Black Sabbath record was important) James Hetfield: First it scared the sh*t out of me. Second, it crushed the f*ck out of all the peace'n'love'n everything's groovy bullsh*t that was still hanging around in the early seventies. And third, my friends' moms wouldn't let them own it

James Hetfield: There's a lot of people there just because 'Ooh play Enter Sandman.' So we play it first to get the fucking thing out of the way. So they have to sit through the rest of the shit! They gotta hear the old shit. You gotta use it against 'em y'know?"

(Regarding their antics on the bus) James Hetfield: It's all fun and games 'till someone loses an eye, then it's just fun you can't see.

James Hetfield: Some guy was bowing to me at the Marguee the other night, seriously! And I was shouting at him, 'Stop it - let me buy you a beer.

(In reference to NEM) James Hetfield: It's scary to look out and see couples hugging during that song. Oh f*ck, I thought this was a Metallica show.

James Hetfield: You've gotta keep fit to play that hard every night. Better order five more beers.

James Hetfield: When people start copying your style, you know that something must be happening.

James Hetfield: We do this basically for ourselves. People appreciate it, which is cool, but I think they appreciate that we're doing it for ourselves. We're doing it our way, and how people like it is not up to us. We like it.

James Hetfield: Regret? That's a screwed up word.

James Hetfield: I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something

James Hetfield: I'd like to have a beer-holder on my guitar like they have on boats.

James Hetfield: I like a women who's got some balls, some strength. As long as I can beat her at arm wrestling, that's fine

James Hetfield: Hey, my baby fetches me beers, and she's only 4 months old! yeah, I'm a proud Dad!

James Hetfield: Authority ticked me off. I think everyone should be able to drink and get loud whenever they want.