WATCH: Newsted Plays Metallica Classics On US Tour Kick-Off

Jason Newsted‘s aptly named new band Newsted dropped a few Metallica classics into their set on the first date of their US tour this past weekend in Walnut Creek, California. Newsted ran through Whiplash, My Friend Misery and a touch of Creeping Death into their sets at Red House on 19th and 20th of April, the first dates in a 14-date run of shows.

Newsted is made up of the ex-Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsambassist, along with Staind guitarist Mike Mushok, drummer Jesus Mendez Jr and guitarist Jessie Farnsworth. Their EP Metal sold 6,200 copies in the US in its first week of release, taking it to number 62 on The Billboard 200 chart, and the band has just finished recording its debut LP.

The eponymous frontman is loving working with Mushok, telling ARTISTdirect, “Once Mike started playing with us, it was on. It didn’t take long at all. He makes the heavy music heavier. I didn’t think that was possible.”

Doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing Newsted back with Metallica anytime soon, although the metal legend last year said he’d consider it “if the money was crazy”.

Check out the series of tracks below.

http://youtu.be/RzebFxqTPl8

http://youtu.be/5GoOVm4SoHI

Must Read