In 2009 Hale released his book “Metallica: The Club Dayz 1982-1984″. It contains rare and exclusive photographs from six of the band’s earliest performances including their first shows in San Francisco at The Stone and The Old Waldorf which featured the original lineup with Dave Mustaine (guitar) and Ron McGovney (bass), Cliff Burton’s introductory gig with the band at The Stone, the last Metallica show with Dave Mustaine in San Francisco, and Kirk Hammett’s Metallica debut in the Bay area. Most of the photos in this book have never been published and many of the images have never before been revealed to the public.

1)     What was the first Metallica song you heard and when? What did you think?
HA… That was “Hit the Lights” and it was over the phone… Lars had called and said something like check this out… They were still in Ron’s house!!!
Totally raw and I think they had to stop because one of Lars’ cymbals came loose and fell off its stand!!!

2)     Do you remember your first time when you saw the band live and hоw was concert?
Yes that would be the 1st time Metallica had gigged in San Francisco at the Stone… September, 18th 1982…

3)     Have you ever thought in 82-84, that Metallica will become one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music?
I knew that they would make it big… How big only time would tell…

4)     Do you still keep in touch with the boys from the band?
I have not seem them in about ten years or so… But I do hear from them through our mutual buddies. Kirk live here in Honolulu, we have some of the same pals but our schedules are very different. I always get emails from friends saying that Lars said “Hi” or James said “Hey”…. I still keep up with Mustaine… Dave wrote the foreword for my next photo book on Megadeth!

5)     Do you keep anything valuable from those first concerts – flayer, poster,Lars’s sticks, underwear …?
Yes… somewhere I have lars’ drum sticks…. He use to use Tennis grip tape on his stick, you know the green kind… And have flyers and autographs from them with Ron and Dave…

6)     Do you think that rock and metal word would be so popular nowadays without the appearance of Metallica? Would the heavy music ever become mainstream without them?
Yes I do… Hard Rock and Heavy Metal was big before Metallica and if there was not any Metallica some other band would have filled the void… But the more important question should be if Lars had never seen Deep Purple when he was ten would he have still wanted to change from Tennis to the Drums?!?!?

7)     What the band owes its huge success over the years. The talent of the musicians, the sense of music, Lars’s management or something else?
Yes Metallica’s success is two fold… Yes Lars had a vision and a game plan but the band owes a lot to its fans and that’s where Metallica is great. Cliff was the one who really started this. He knew that the fans were everything!!! James at a young age had some bad experiences with some BIG ROCK STAR fan club that never wrote back… So the band knows without you, the fans. the band would be nothing… CHEERS!!!

8)     What is Metallica personally for you? Did Metallica change your life in some way?
Hum… Metallica was one part of the Bay Area scene back then… We all had a blast, you know, living  the “Metal Dream”..
The day that Cliff died, that all changed… We all grew up a bit… We all had to face our own mortality… That life wasn’t all fun and games..

9)     Do you know something about Bulgaria? Would you say something special to the members of HOS?
Don’t know much about your country.. BUT on June 22nd, 2010 Heavy Metal history was made in Sofia!!!
I had wished to be there to see Dave jam with James and Lars after all these years!!! That was my Metallica… Lars, Dave, Cliff and James!!!

Cheers, your blog is top notch and all the best with it!
Keep it Heavy ~ Make it Metal
Bill

Interview by: ASSSETO

Photos included:
1. Bill Hale promo photo for the Club Dayz book (photo © by Hanna Wilson)

2. Metallica group shot with Ron McGovney at The Old Waldorf, Oct. 18th, 1982

3. Dave and Kirk… This was the only photo with these two until The Big Four shows!!!

4. Cliff and Dave from Cliff’s 1st show with Metallica (3-5-83)

5. The cover to Metallica: The Club Dayz… (ECW Press)

Ron Quintana is a famous for thinking out the name “Metallica”. In 1981 he asks his friend Lars Ulrich what would be the best title for his new heavy metal fanzine – “Metal Mania” or “Metallica”. Ulrich suggests the first one as the better only because he likes more the second and wants to keep it as a name for his new band. Here is what Ron said in an interview for  Harvester of Sofia:

What was the first Metallica song you heard and when? What did you think?
I played the hell out of the Metal Massacre LP with them on it and loved it

Do you remember your first time when you saw the band live and hоw was concert?
They were a lot of fun

Have you ever thought in 82-84, that Metallica will become one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music?
no, even up to ’86 we thought they might only be a local band

Do you still keep in touch with the boys from the band?
I talk to each of them every year

Do you keep anything valuable from those first concerts – flayer, poster,Lars’s sticks, underwear …?
I Keep everything especially those early flyers, but sold Yong Metal attack shirt for rent once

Do you think that rock and metal word would be so popular nowadays without the appearance of Metallica?
i dont know…

What the band owes its huge success over the years. The talent of the musicians, the sense of music, Lars’s management or something else?
LUCK LUCK LUCK

What is Metallica personally for you? Did Metallica change your life in some way?
They’re friends I was proud to help because they really were good guys before Napster crap…

Do you know something about Bulgaria?
I always wondered what Bulgaria was like as I love history, but in 1982 Americans like me only traveled as far east as Greece and Italy and Austria, I wanted to visit Romania and Bulgaria and other Eastern countries…maybe next time Im over there I make it to Sofia! Or Transylvania! or…..

ASSSETO

As Metallica celebrates it’s 30th anniversary the Bulgarian chapter Harvester of Sofia decided to contact some of the most famous people, who followed the band from it’s early days till now.

It is a great honor for us to introduce our first guest Brian Slagel – the owner and founder of Metal Blade Records. Slagel is known for giving Metallica their first break in 1982, with an appearance on Metal Massacre, a compilation album on Metal Blade.

What was the first Metallica song you heard and when? What did you think?
It was Hit The Lights when they delivered it for the first Metal Massacre album. It was much better than what I thought they might do

Do you remember your first time when you saw the band live and hоw was concert?
Yes, they opened for Saxon at the Whisky in LA in 1982. It was their 2nd gig ever. James only sang and did not play guitar. They mostly played Diamond Head covers.

Have you ever thought in 82-84, that Metallica will become one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music?
None of us ever thought anything like this would ever happen.

Do you still keep in touch with the boys from the band?
Yes I see them quite often. I have always been good friends with all of them. Just hung out with them at the Big 4 in NYC. Great guys and good friends.

Do you keep anything valuable from those first concerts – flayer, poster, Lars’s sticks, underwear …?
Ha-ha, no sticks, but I do have some flyers and the original demo…

Do you think that rock and metal word would be so popular nowadays without the appearance of Metallica? They certainly have had a major influence on metal for sure. Would the heavy music ever become mainstream without them?
Hard to say, but I think they were the perfect band to blend heavy and mainstream. A major influence on metal for sure

What the band owes its huge success over the years. The talent of the musicians, the sense of music, Lars’s management or something else?
I think all of that has helped them

What is Metallica personally for you? Did Metallica change your life in some way?
Certainly being around in the early days and my connection to them has helped legitimize myself and Metal Blade. Also the great friendship with them as well.

Do you know something about Bulgaria? Would you say something special to the members of HOS?
I have never been there, but want to go someday. Thanks to everyone for supporting Metal and keep it up!!

The Bulgarian Metclub chapter Harvester of Sofia has the pleasure to meet you with Justin Hunt. He is an American filmmaker and became popular among Metallica fans with the film „Absent” in which James shares the story about his father who left the family when Hetfield was only 13 years old. The documentary movie examines the need for an emotional bond that children without fathers often experience. Justin Hunt was negotiating with possible narrators when his big break came via an e-mail. “I was driving on the freeway I almost crashed,” Hunt said. The e-mail was from METALLICA. Hetfield wanted to be involved with the project.

We contacted Justin for an interview:

Do you remember your first Metallica show and what impression the band left in you after that?
My first show was in 1999 at the blockbuster pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona (USA). i drove 9 hours to get there from las cruces, new mexico. jerry cantrell and days of the new opened for them. i was blown away. all i’d heard up to that point were tapes and cds, and this was real and in front of me. i could feel jason’s bass in my chest. it was amazing and unlike any other experience in my life, up to that point.

Have you ever thought that after more that 30 years Metallica will be one of the biggest bands in the music scene ever and that they will go beyond every boundary of the heavy metal music?
having studied, for the past 20 years, their professionalism, drive, management of self and business, marketing tactics and sheer aggression at taking control of their situation, as opposed to reacting to it, it doesn’t surprise me in the least that they are where they are.

Which are the songs that you think Metallica should play on stage more often? What is your dream setlist?
i think it’s important to mix up the set lists. so, i don’t have a ‘play more’ wish list. i am, however, a fan of a few of the classic concert favorites: bellz, one, creeping death, harvester, etc. if there is a track or two i’d personally like to see in concert that i haven’t yet, i’d say fixxxer, outlaw torn, bleeding me.

What has changed in the band as Rob came in? Do you think the fans already prefer him to Jason?
no comment on that one. i wouldn’t speculate or presume to speak for the fans on who they like better. they’re both amazing musicians. personally, i always had a liking for jason and his attitude, from the fan’s perspective. it did my heart good to see him onstage with them at the hall of fame induction.

How do you see Metallica in the near future (10 years) – less concerts and 1-2 new albums at most or nothing will change much and the band will continue roaming the planet with lots of shows each year.
i think metallica will continue to do what they’re best at doing, playing music for their friends, until they feel that they’re not doing it at their highest level. that’s how they operate, at the top. if ever they don’t feel it’s their best, then they’ll more than likely make what they feel is the best decision for the band and the hundreds of millions that love them.

What is Metallica personally for you? Did Metallica change your life in some way?
metallica is, and has been, my best friend for the past 25 years. they mean the world to me. they completely changed my life and how i approach it. actually, i wouldn’t say they changed it. they shaped it.

Did anything changed now after you and James are friends? Is there a difference between James Hetfield from Metallica and James the person?
our friendship is something that i have the deepest respect for. i think so many people are used to, and need, james hetfield of metallica that they lose sight of the fact that james hetfield is also a human being, just like you and i. is there a difference between the two? not much. what you see onstage now is the same james hetfield that makes faces at and jokes with my two children or that i discuss issues we face in life as men with. he’s utterly authentic as a person, and just happens to be one of the greatest guitarists and front men of all time. the highest compliment to me is to have his respect for me and my art like i do for him and his.

You made some screenings across USA. Do you have plans doing this in Europе?
i’d like to do some screenings in europe, for sure. i really just need to create a grassroots effort there and get the support of people like you to help get those things in motion. i’m doing all of the booking myself, so if anyone wants to do a screening they need just reach out and spark the conversation.

Have you ever expected that your movies will have such a huge impact for the people? And have you ever thought that you will make great successes with both of them?
i’d hoped they would, but i never expected it to be at this level. i don’t really make the films with the intent of reaching a certain number of people or affecting one particular group. i just make them because i feel they need to be made, and let God take it over from there.

Tell us more about you future plans?
professionally, i’m just hoping to keep going with these movies and making a difference in this world. i’m shooting my third film now and have ideas for more. i’d also like to direct a feature film soon. one goal i do have is to expand beyond the u.s. and really start causing an impact in other parts of the world on a larger scale.

Don’t laugh a lot now… If you ever make a movie for bullterriers will you call Kerrie King’s father? (Random question from one of our members)
i’ll mull over the bull terriers concepts and make SURE i call kerrie king’s father, should i move forward on that.

Do you know something for Bulgaria?
i don’t know as much about bulgaria as i’d like to. one thing i have been told is that the women there are beautiful, which, as a single guy, makes me want to visit. we should definitely do a screening there! ha ha.

Would you say something special to the members of HOS?
for the harvester of sofia chapter: i can tell you from personal experience that are you supporting not only the greatest heavy metal band of all time, but some of the most amazing men i’ve ever met. the music of metallica comes from within these men, not from the standpoint of ‘what would be commercially successful?’ in essence, you are not ‘fans’ of the music, you are literally friends of metallica who are sharing in their experiences here on this planet. they know who you are and they appreciate you and love you. i’ve been to HQ and have seen the banners hanging from the walls. you mean as much to them as they to you. don’t ever forget that. it’s that mutual love and respect that makes it worth every ticket you’ve ever bought, every line you’ve ever stood in, every shirt you’ve ever worn. and i’m honored, as a friend of metallica myself, to be invited into your chapter to share a few of my experiences. after all, isn’t that what being a metallica fan is all about?

much love from the states…justin

ASSSETO

Here is the final one of the interviews we made with popular Metallica fans from all over the world for the past 2 years. We talked to Tod Struthers from Colorado, USA

HoS: What is your name (nickname) and position at your local chapter?
-Tod Struthers and my PPM name is metallitaz. I am the Chapter Head of Welcome Home (Colorado).

HoS: When was the first time you have heard Metallica and which song? Your favourite album or song? And explain why?
-I am not sure when I first heard Metallica – probably the mid 80s. My favorite album and song is Master of Puppets because it has all the elements in one song – the heavy parts, the fast parts, the slower melodic middle part.

HoS: When and where you have seen Metallica Live? Which one is your personal favorite? And how many concerts you want to see in the future?
-I have seen Metallica around 30 times. My favorite was the show in Park City Utah in 2006 because it was such a small club to see them in!

HoS: Where are the craziest Metallica fans you’ve ever met?
-The craziest fans I have ever met – hmmm… almost all of them are crazy!

HoS: Would you take the offer to work for Metallica if they ask you to?
-I would work for Metallica except it would hard to be away from my wife and my kids for so long!

HoS: If it was up to you what would you change in the live performance of Metallica?
-I would like Metallica to play all the unusual songs they never play like Trapped Under Ice, Dyers Eve, Orion, etc.

HoS: If I have never been at a metallica show how you will convince me to go?
-I would tell you how incredible their live show is and how it’s the best concert you could ever go to!

HoS: When did you join the MetClub and when was born the idea for the local chapter?
-I joined Metclub in 1999 and I wanted to start a local chapter after goign to many cities around the US that had so many Metallica members in their chapters and wanted to get together with Metallica fans at home in Colorado! Our purpose is to have fun celebrating Metallica’s music together! I give out Metalluca prizes to those who come to chapter events and also have chapter contests!

HoS: Do you know something for Bulgaria? Would you say something special to the members of HOS?
-I do not anythign about Bulgaria except where it is on a map! I have a friend from Romania which is very beautiful, so I am sure that Bulgaria is beautiful too! I know they have beautiful people!

ASSSETO

Dear friends, we spoke to Pascal from no more existing French chapter Metal Monster.

HOS: What is your name (nickname), where are you from and position it your local chapter?
My nickname is Skullface and I was the Head Chapter of the local chapter Metal Monster.

HOS: When was the first time you have heard Metallica and which song?
The very first time it was at home and It was Battery when I bought Master Of Puppets album.

HOS: Your favorite album or song? And explain why?
I’ve got plenty favorites songs…my top three…Creeping Death, Whiplash and I love Bleeding Me because the riff of James in the middle of the song It’s one of the better riff of the Almighty… The Riff!!!

HOS: What is Metallica personally for you? Did Metallica change your life in some way?
Metallica had changed my life when it burst into it after the death of my brother in 1986. Metallica is in me.

HOS: What is the most insane thing you have ever done inspired by Metallica?
Tattoo??? Yes tattoo because it’s for the rest of your life and all my projects too.

HOS: When and where you have seen Metallica Live? Which one is your personal favorite? And how many concerts you want to see in the future?
I’ve seen Metallica live for the first time at Bercy in November 10th 1992 at Bercy Paris in the snake pit.
Vincennes 1993
Paris Bercy 1996 (2)
Belgium Pukkelpop Festival 1997
England Reading Festival 1997
Nulle Par Ailleurs TV show Paris 1997
Elysée Montmartre Paris 1997
Paris Bercy 1999
Eurockeeennes de Belfort 1999
Berlin symphonique 1999
Chicago 2000
Paris 3 shows in one day 2003
Paris Bercy 2003
Italia Bologne 2003
Paris Parc des Princes 2004
Germany Rock Am Ring 2006
Germany Rock In Park 2006
Spanish Bilbao 2007
Tchecoslovaquia 2008
Taratata FrenchTV Show audience + Soudcheck just behind the kit of Lars 2008
Paris Bercy 2009 (2)
Lyon May 23 2010
Zurich June 18 2010

HOS: Where are the craziest Metallica fans you’ve ever met?
All the Metallica fans are crazy!!!

HOS: Have you ever met some of the guys in person and what was the first thing in you mind when you saw them?
I have the chance to met them several times and each time I told to my mind ｫUs Metallica fans we are very lucky!!!ｻ Metallica it’s a big family !

HOS: Would you take the offer to work for Metallica if they ask you to?
When I saw Metallica at Taratata tv show in 2009 I worked for the group during all the day. It was very cool and a great experience but only one time. It’s not my place behind the stage…my place is in the audience with the other fuckin’ crazy fans!

HOS: You must explain what is Metallica to your 5 year old kid, how will you do that?
When I went to the show at Bercy with my son in April 2009 a big deal happened at the end of the show just before seek and destroy. James asked to light the arena as each night and just before Seek and Destroy he asked to my son his age!!! Him like me we were panic and we didn’t answer to James! I’ve got the photos of this moment! When I have the chance to met them at Nimes in July 7 2009 I explain this moment to the members and asked them to write a word for my son. He practice guitar and I took a photo of him with his guitar and James wrote to my son ｫDear Marvin, keep playing, I’ll see you on stage!!!ｻ My son is 8 years old and he has a word from each member of Metallica above his bed !!!

HOS: When did you join the MetClub and when was born the idea for the local chapter?
I joined the fan-club in April 25 1993 and my number is 3091. The idea to create my own local chapter was born in 2005. But I decided to stop it more than a year ago and it didn’t exist anymore but the webzine continued.

HOS:  What is the main purpose of your local chapter?
The webzine is original and very complete I think we were the only in the world to purpose a magazine with 52 color pages.

HOS: Do you know something for Bulgaria? Would you say something special to the members of HOS?
Yes I know the local chapter of Bulgaria and congratulations for your work. I know what it is to work in a local chapter and it’s not easy to enjoy every fans. I love the people who have a passion and Metallica is a beautiful passion.
Hey members of HOS keep support your local chapter and maybe see ya soon on the road…metal up your ass!!!

HOS: What is your name (nickname), where are you from and position it your local chapter?
My name is Michal, I am from Bratislava, Slovakia and I am a Chapter Head of metallica.sk, the Czech and Slovak Local Chapter of the Metallica Club.

HOS: When was the first time you have heard Metallica and which song?
I am not really sure, but it might be The Unforgiven sometimes late 1991/early 1992. I fell in love with Metallica for life one year later, in the early 1993.

HOS: Your favorite album or song? And explain why?
If I have to pick up one studio album, it would be The Black Album simply for the reason that it was my first album from the guys and it attracted me to Metallica.

HOS: What is Metallica personally for you? Did Metallica change your life in some way?
Metallica means a lot to me. It may sound as cliché, but there’s no better way to say it. And did it change my life? Yes, most of the people I consider my best friends I met only because of Metallica.

HOS: When and where you have seen Metallica Live? Which one is your personal favorite? And how many concerts you want to see in the future?
To this date, I saw Metallica more than 30 times. Prague 1996 was my first one. The one which I missed, and which I’m going to regret forever, was the first and only Metallica show in my country so far, the gig with Megadeth as support and Jim Martin joining Metallica for Last Caress later during the show, the June 8, 1993 show in Bratislava. My favorite shows from those I’ve seen? Prague 1996 for being my first one, Rock Im Park 1999 – my first one in the first row, a concert with the Berlin Symphonic Orchestra in November 1999 (for me, that was also the last time I saw Jason Newsted). My other favorite shows include the gig at Wembley 2007, Sofia 2008 (I mean this – not just because it is in Bulgaria; I had a really good time at that show – great sound, great view, everything great), Jonschwil 2008 and also, for the obvious reasons, the Death Magnetic Release Party show in Berlin from September 12, 2008.

HOS: Where are the craziest Metallica fans you’ve ever met?
A: Bulgaria scores high on this list, because of many passionate fans willing to travel far for Metallica. The craziest fans I saw live in action at a show though were in Turkey.

HOS: Have you ever met some of the guys in person and what was the first thing in you mind when you saw them?
Yes, several times. I was extremely nervous, as you can imagine. I was lucky to work for the MetClub couple of times last year, which included shooting Meet & Greets, so I spent more time in one room with them last year than ever – which did not make me feel much more calm, but it gets a tiny little bit easier every time. Although when you’re standing next to James Hetfield (or any other Metallica member)… you can’t help it, you’ll start shaking.

HOS: You must explain what is Metallica to you`re 5 year old kid, how will you so that?
The kid will know it much earlier than at 5 years of age.

HOS: When did you join the MetClub and when was born the idea for the local chapter?
The first time I joined the club was in 1998 or 1999, I think. Around that time, I created my first website about Metallica, which later become www.metallica.sk. That’s how I started to meet people with the level of appreciation for Metallica as myself. I have always been thinking about founding a fan club, so that’s only one step from there to creating a local chapter.

HOS: What is the main purpose of your local chapter?
It’s mostly the website with a board, where we chat every day about Metallica. We also meet in person occasionally.

HOS: Do you know something for Bulgaria? Would you say something special to the members of HOS?
I’ve met some very nice people from Bulgaria at Metallica shows and parties, and on the Internet, too. Thanks for being so cool. I hope to meet you all guys again when Metallica storms through Europe again.

HOS: What is your name (nickname), where are you from and position it your local chapter?
Hey, I am Jonas from Sweden. And I run The Metallica Collectors Club (www.tmcc.se) I am also in the crew for Metallica Club Scandinavia (www.metallica.se)

HOS: When was the first time you have heard Metallica and which song?
I first heard Metallica in the winter of 1990 and the song was One. I was instantly hooked. I couldn’t believe how powerful Metallica’s music was (and still is).

HOS: Your favorite album or song? And explain why?
I do not have a favorite album; I love all of them in different way.

HOS: What is Metallica personally for you?
The best band in the world!

HOS: When and how did you start collecting Metallica stuff and what is your most precious possession?
The year was 1994 and I wanted all the Metallica items they had release. My favorite items are 7” Master of Puppets, Fan Cans and all the signed stuff i have.

HOS: When and where you have seen Metallica Live? Which one is your personal favorite? And how many concerts you want to see in the future?
I have seen Metallica live in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, England, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, Netherlands, Latvia and Estonia. My favorite is the one in Berlin 1999 with the Berliner Symphony and Rock im Park 2006 ’cause they’ve played the whole album “Master of Puppets” entirety – celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its release!

HOS: Where are the craziest Metallica fans you’ve ever met?
In Germany!

HOS: When did you meet the guys in person for the first time and what was the first thing in you mind when you saw them?
It was in Stockholm 1999. “First thing in you mind when you saw them?” One word – WOW!!!

HOS: You must explain what Metallica is to you’re 5 year old kid, how will you do that?
I wouldn’t say anything to the 5 year old kid. I would just play one of Metallica’s songs. Then he will know.

HOS: When did you join the MetClub?And how did joining the club changed your life?
I joined the MetClub in 1996 after I found a flyer in Gothenburg for joining the Metallica Club Scandinavia so I joined them both at the same time.

HOS: If it was up to you what would you change in the live performance of Metallica?
I miss all the “motherfucker” etc.  in the live performance from James and I would probably change the end song and not have Seek & Destroy all the time.

HOS: Do you know something for Bulgaria? Would you say something special to the members of HOS?
Hope to meet all of you people on the road and please visit The Metallica Collectors Clubs home page. C-ya!

Bulgarian local chapter Harvester of Sofia received a new recognition from Metallica. For the second year in a row the group chose to put our banner into its HQ. We are very proud of this and can’t wait to see the band again this summer in Germany and Italy.