Pepper Keenan recently opened up about his failed audition to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica and explained what he thought needed to be changed in the band. He shared details about the experience in an interview with Kerrang.
The Corrosion of Conformity and Down guitarist was asked about being invited to audition for the Metallica bass position after Jason Newsted’s departure from the band.
“It was intense. I’d played with those guys before, I’d done backing vocals on their cover of Tuesday’s Gone by Skynyrd. But this was crazy. I remember Hetfield calling me one day about that, saying he wanted somebody who wasn’t necessarily the best player – but it really was that!” Keenan said.
Keenan also shared his vision for what Metallica should have done at the time. He explained how the audition process unfolded.
“Even at the time, I was looking at Metallica from a fan’s point of view, what I would want Metallica to do? First things first, I would’ve brought back the OG logo, got back in that world and started on some Master Of Puppets shit! Get back in the garage,” he continued. “I remember going in, we rehearsed, and it was killer. But then [Robert] Trujillo came in and I went, ‘Ohhhh shit. Damn…’ It all worked out for a reason. It’s all good. It was super-fun.”
Keenan’s audition was part of a challenging period for Metallica following Newsted’s unexpected departure in 2001.
Guitar World reported that Newsted left amid tensions during the recording of St. Anger. This departure left the band to use producer Bob Rock on bass for the album and several live shows. The departure created a significant void that forced the band to rethink their approach to both recording and performing.
The search for a permanent bassist began in early 2003 after St. Anger wrapped. The entire audition process was captured in the documentary Some Kind of Monster. No Treble noted that the band conducted extensive auditions over three months. They evaluated multiple candidates including Scott Reeder, Jeordie White, Eric Avery, Danny Lohner, and Chris Wyse alongside Keenan.
Trujillo ultimately secured the position. He brought impressive credentials from his previous work with Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne’s band. His technical skills and stage presence distinguished him from other candidates during the rigorous selection process.
The position ultimately went to Robert Trujillo, who has been Metallica’s bassist since 2003. He continues to tour and record with the band today.
