Jason Newsted on Metallica’s Live Shows: “They Bring It All Every Time”

Ahead of Metallica’s show at The JMA Wireless Dome this weekend, ex-bassist Jason Newsted spoke with News Channel 9 journalist Jeff Kulikowsky about his time playing alongside the band.

The interview shows a brief chat between the two about Newstead’s work with Metallica and what their shows entailed. The bassist tells Kulikowsky:

 ”Yeah, it’s been a while since Metallica played in Syracuse. I was with them there, I think it was ’96, that was the last time we did it. They have been together for 44 years. They have thousands of shows under their belt. I think probably the number one live act from America currently is Metallica. They bring it all every time, and I know that the production this time around is the most fantastical one to date. So, yeah, get your dancing shoes on.”

Alongside discussing Metallica, Newsted shared some information on his two-date Benefit show at the Everson Museum auditorium for his solo project, ‘Jason Newsted & Friends’. Which is set to take place between Friday, July 18 – 19 2025.

Speaking about the shows, he says:

“I’ve been playing benefit shows the last 20 years or so. I choose six or eight a year, and they’re usually affiliated with youth, art and music programs. So I started out with a thing called Little Kids Rock back in the early 2000s. They now call it Music Will. And we have been responsible for putting thousands of instruments in kids’ hands. And so that was my beginning, and ever since that time, I’ve put my energies toward earning the kids — I guess trying to make them aware of art and make them aware of music and get instruments and paintbrushes in their hands.”

Newsted officially left Metallica in 2001 and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the band. Since then, he’s had credits with Ozzy Osbourne, Voivod and others and now continues to develop his solo music.

Purchase tickets to Jason Newsted & Friends’ Everson Museum show here.