He acknowledged that he knew the VH1 award show would be his last time playing with the guys, but they did not know it.

Jason commented that his joining Metallica kicked their butts into shape, and his leaving also kicks their butts into shape, and he is proud of all of that.

He feels that his leaving frees all 4 of them up to produce best stuff they all can (Jason and his projects, and James/Lars/Kirk as Met), that he knows Metallica will become kings again.

Newsted would love for the new bassist to be a close friend of the band, like Joey Vera or Mike Inez. Especially Inez, so he and Kirk could be bookends!

Jason spoke of joining Metallica caused him to push all the other elements of his life aside, and now that he is out, he his getting all that living back, and that until the moment he left, he was always on call to Metallica, but he needs the pursuit of making music to be in his life, but he does not regret a minute of time spent with Metallica.

What must have come out in the 'relationship counsellor' meetings is that Hetfield, Ulrich and Hammett never really got through the grieving for Cliff, and it was more of an anger inside them, that was always underneath the band's relationship with Jason, and all of them have finally done the grieving and been freed by it. Jason was in depression for some time, but the sessions helped him get out of it.

He has severe cervical spine damage from the headbanging and the heavy basses. No surgery yet, just Accupuncture and Phys Therapy. He never sees himself touring around the world again; any live appearances will be well controlled and very spaced out. No more 200 two-hour plus gigs a year.

Echobrain.com and chophouserecords.com will be on line shortly, although Jason admits to being an "Analog Man" so it might take time. The Echobrain, and possibly other back catalog stuff will be available for sale through these sites. In the meantime, you can write to:
ECHOBRAIN
454 Las Gallinas Avenue #353
San Rafael California 84903-3618
Thanks to:[email protected]