Exodus guitarist Gary Holt recently clarified his past working relationship with Metallica’s Kirk Hammett. He set the record straight about his role during their early days together in a statement shared on Sweetwater.
Holt addressed common misconceptions about whether he worked as Hammett’s guitar technician. He explained the difference between his actual role and what people often assume.
“We became really good friends. And, you know, people say, ‘Oh, did you tech for Kirk Hammett?’ No, I roadied for Kirk. A tech actually does something. A tech at least tunes strings. I never tuned a guitar. I never changed strings. I carried his, like, Gallien-Krueger combo [amp], right? And helped set up the stage, and brought the [beer] kegs in,” Holt said.
The thrash metal guitarist also revealed how this period led to his own musical journey. He credited Hammett with introducing him to electric guitar.
“[He asked] if I wanted to play, learn to play guitar, and I always did. I’m the youngest of six, and my parents had spent I don’t know how much money on saxophone lessons, trumpets, and even a piano for my brother, a little upright that became the family mantelpiece, and they didn’t think I’d stick with it. And then I got the chance, and I was in Exodus six months later,” he continued.
This revelation provides important context about the early connections between members of the Bay Area thrash metal scene. It highlights the intertwined histories of two influential bands.
Wikipedia documented that Exodus was formed in 1979 by guitarists Kirk Hammett and Tim Agnello, drummer and vocalist Tom Hunting, and vocalist Keith Stewart while they attended high school together. Holt’s connection to the band came through drummer Tom Hunting, who introduced him to Hammett during Exodus’ formative years.
The timing of Holt’s entry into Exodus proved crucial for both bands’ futures. Ultimate Metallica noted that Hammett was a co-founder of Exodus before he was asked to join Metallica in 1983 as Dave Mustaine’s replacement. This departure left a significant void in Exodus that Holt would eventually help fill.
Louder Sound reported that before joining Metallica, Hammett was the co-founding guitarist with Exodus, the thrash pioneers who did more than anyone to establish the Bay Area sound. His departure marked a pivotal moment for both bands, with Metallica gaining a key member while Exodus had to rebuild around their remaining core.
The relationship between Exodus and Metallica during this period illustrates how closely connected the Bay Area thrash scene was in its early days. Both bands would go on to become influential forces in heavy metal. Hammett’s move to Metallica helped shape the future of both groups while Exodus continued to pioneer the thrash sound that would define an entire generation of metal bands.
