METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD: DAVE MUSTAINE 'Is Not In This Band For A Reason'

On September 28, 2009, METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield was interviewed by Cindy Scull of the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas radio station 97.1 The Eagle Rocks. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On rumors that METALLICA was assembling a tour that would feature the "Big Four" of the 1980s underground thrash metal scene — itself, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX:

Hetfield: "Sounds like a good idea, huh? . . . Well, it's really up to everybody [to make it happen]. We don't know. It's one of these nostalgic ideas that pops up. . . We don't know; we haven't really taken it any steps further. . . You know what?! Music transcends all kinds of B.S., so if it's something that feels right, then hopefully it could happen."

(Listen to Hetfield talking about "Big Four" tour rumors by clicking on audio player below.)

On how METALLICA deals with "gossipy" stuff coming MEGADETH mainman (and former METALLICA guitarist) Dave Mustaine, who recently went as far as to claim that METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich was supposed to have been fired in 1986:

Hetfield: "[Laughs] Exactly like I just reacted; you've gotta laugh at it. . . Well, you've gotta go big picture with this stuff. It's sooo odd to me... This is soooo... It is very Dave, and that's him. And no matter what band he was in or whatever... I mean, Dave is not in this band for a reason, and this is the reason. It's super-simple. He was in the band for 11 months and it goes on and on and on and on and on. I don't know any other band on this planet that there was a member in the band for a short amount of time and they've still got this big chip on his shoulder. It's insane! . . . You know what?! He's in love, and that's fine, 'cause we love him back."

On why Dave Mustaine wasn't inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame along with the current lineup of METALLICA and former members Jason Newsted and Cliff Burton:

Hetfield: "He's not inducted because he's not on any records; that's one of the Hall Of Fame deals. . . The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is what it is. I think it's 25 years after your first record, you are eligible, so whoever's played on records is eligible. It's as simple as that."

(Listen to Hetfield talking about Dave Mustaine by clicking on audio player below.)

Cindy Scull's entire September 28, 2009 interview with James Hetfield is available for streaming in two parts below.

In the September 2009 issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Mustaine stated about his decision to turn down METALLICA's invitation to attend their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, "Lars said, 'If you were on the record, you got inducted; if you weren't on the record, you didn't,' and would I come along and hang out and watch them get inducted? I was like, 'Dude, that's so typical!' It makes for the same kind of mentality as a guy watching some other guy fuck his girlfriend. I just said, 'I'm flattered and I'm proud of you guys and I wish you well. I'll be there if I'm being inducted, but if I'm gonna watch, then I've got better things to do.'"

Mustaine added, "To say that I'm not on the record, well, I'd say that there are 40 million fans with MEGADETH and METALLICA records in their collections that would say that Dave is on the METALLICA records because my name's on there [in the songwriting credits], but I guess Lars never really looked past the word 'Ulrich.' He just stopped there and read it again, over and over and over!

"Bottom line is, I'm going to get into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame one way or another and he can't keep me out! When I do, I'm going to ask him to induct us and I'm gonna give eggs to everyone in the front row! [Laughs]"

Mustaine publicly declined METALLICA's invitation to attend the April 4 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony, citing European tour commitments, but issued a statement congratulating the band.

Mustaine claimed in a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine that METALLICA wanted to fire Ulrich after the group finished touring in 1986 — but the plan was disrupted by the death of bassist Cliff Burton in a tour bus accident. Reporter Greg Prato asked, "As far as you know, is it true that on the last METALLICA tour Cliff Burton was on before he died, the band was planning on firing Lars Ulrich at the tour's end?" Mustaine replied, "That's what Scott (Ian, ANTHRAX guitarist) told me. He said that when METALLICA got home, that James (Hetfield, frontman),Cliff and Kirk (Hammett, guitarist) were going to fire Lars."

However, ANTHRAX's webmaster refuted Mustaine's statement in a post on ANTHRAX's official Twitter profile, writing, "Story's not true. Little does anyone know but Lars actually owns the (METALLICA) name. Good luck ever kicking him out."

Cindy Scull's entire September 28, 2009 interview with James Hetfield (click on player below to launch audio):

Part 1:

Part 2:

Photo below courtesy of Metallica.com