In a new interview with CNBC, Lars Ulrich explained Metallica’s longevity and financial independence by citing a certain group of San Francisco legends.
“As far as Metallica is concerned, we have our own record label, [and] we pretty much try to control all the different elements in our little bubble, our little eco system,” the drummer said. “We’re financially independent… We sort of model our existence on the Grateful Dead…who considered themselves to be living outside of the mainstream… that’s been our dream, to just be independent, autonomous, to be able to create the music and not owe anybody any money. So when you say, ‘Who has the control?’ We like to think that in our bubble that we do, but obviously we’re also very fortunate in that we can channel the success that we’re so grateful for into financial independence.”
This certainly isn’t the first time the heavy metal titans nodded to the jam world. During Phish’s Bakers Dozen residency in 2017, they marveled at the feat of playing no-repeats over 13 shows.
“That’s insane,” guitarist Kirk Hammett said at the time.
Watch Ulrich’s interview below:
17 Comments comments associated with this post
Elmo
November 13, 2020 at 3:37 pmNothing Else Matters > Space > Enter Sandman
Donnie
November 13, 2020 at 10:13 amThe Grateful Dead poured tons of money into equipment and sound for your listening pleasure. Jerry liked drugs but he also had 3 T shirts hanging in his closet. Not saying they didn’t like nice things but what they mostly liked was searching for a more perfect sound. Always loved but never satisfied. No one forced Jerry to do anything he didn’t want to do. Including an attempt at intervention. Don’t suggest that somehow he was dragged on stage or forced to do anything would be ridiculous. Grown men make choices.
Lars
November 13, 2020 at 5:48 amThe Dead were (are) immensely gifted and creative – So is Metallica. Lars was correct to fight Napster and theft of copyrighted materials. The artists all benefit from revenue protection and can then focus on creative efforts.
Nicole A Hall
November 13, 2020 at 12:55 pmThe 12+ year fan base (before the “made it”) said otherwise…how could they have been so dumb to spit in the faces of those that supported them for so long, all for profit.
Rob T
November 12, 2020 at 10:11 pmMetallica is the anti-Dead. Lars in particular. They’ve sued anyone and everyone into oblivion for every dollar on royalties. That’s fine. It’s their right to do so. But the Dead gave their entire catalog away for free. What a joke. I mean at least lets call out the hypocrisy.
Chase
November 12, 2020 at 3:08 pmWhat a crock of BS. For a band that’s claiming they “molded their existence” on the Grateful Dead, they sure as shit don’t act like it! These clowns openly sued fans for sharing their music, sued fans for selling t-shirts and are the some of the whiniest most litigious prima donnas in the music biz. Also with the exception of Jason they’re kind of assholes too. I worked on one their music videos and Lars and James were total dicks and very belittiling to the people working for them. all-in-all they are pretty much THE OPPOSITE of the Dead.
Napster
November 12, 2020 at 10:36 amDoes anyone else see the irony here? The band that took down Napster and free trading of music is now comparing themselves to the band that allowed for free taping and trading of their concerts? Fuck off Lars
PETE
November 12, 2020 at 11:23 amWell said. Also, perhaps if the rest of the GD and the entourage didn’t prop up Jerry like a puppet in those last few years and got him the help he needed, Jerry would still be alive today for us to enjoy. But no, they needed to burn through and replace a 100 million of dollar annually and force him to tour. Not a financial model to emulate, Lars. Its all written down and well documented. Wake up white people…
Nicole A Hall
November 13, 2020 at 12:51 pmI was going to say something very similar! Metallica can not even hold a candle to what Grateful Dead stood for as far as the fans. Even covering one of their acoustic songs in an electric set for a dying fan….how dare Lars even try to compare.
mb
November 11, 2020 at 8:53 pmThe Dead made a tidy living from day one. Yes they blew through a lot of money. So what? They always lived comfortably and on their own terms. They are certainly a model for many bands. Somehow they managed to thrive outside of the mainstream music industry and that’s an intriguing story. Everyone from U2 to Pearl Jam paid visits to Front Street in San Rafael to check out the Grateful Dead operation. Their business model is studied in academic circles and copied in start-ups nationwide. I think its cool that Lars respects the Dead. Metallica is awesome. Way different vibe than the Dead but very powerful in another way. “Ain’t no time to hate… Sad but true!”
PETE'S WRONG
November 11, 2020 at 6:41 pmJust because the Dead took a long time to become profitable and chose to support a huge organization doesn’t mean they weren’t financially independent. On the road they never worked for a record company the way other bands did – from the beginning their tours were self-financed, even when they had recording contracts with Warner and then, after GD Records failed, Arista. And of course, aside from royalties from In the Dark, the vast majority of the Dead’s income up until Jerry’s passing came from ticket sales.
I'm with Pete
November 11, 2020 at 4:38 pmSeriously, not trying to be negative, and it’s funny the number of comments that jump on him (how dare you criticize the Grateful Dead!)
Pete is right. Know your history of the band. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it all and fun, but they torched through the cash and funded a harem with tour money to keep it all afloat. Nearly zero record sales, too. A lot of things come to mind, but financial independence isn’t one. And, oh yeah, one other thing. Fuck Lars. He is so “stock”.
Donnie
November 11, 2020 at 3:55 pmThe Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia did exactly what they wanted to do. Any suggestion otherwise is a lie. And as far as hanger ons go, the crew and staff of those bands that kept those bands well oiled greased ready and always on time we’re equally loved for just that. So fuck off Pete.
Pete?
November 11, 2020 at 2:53 pmCan Peter Procure Pet Polly to Pet Pete’s Penis? Makes about as much sense as the other guy, I suppose.
PETE
November 11, 2020 at 2:25 pmN O T. Metallic & Lars are no Grateful Dead. Sadly the GD were not financially independent when Jerry was alive, they needed to tour constantly in behemoth stadiums just to keep their hanger-ons employed and alive. It likely contributed to the death of Jerry. And their own record label didn’t fare thee well to good either. Still they triumphed in the era of reasonably priced concert tickets, not the $150+ VIP era. Metallic not fit to hold Jerry’s penis…
Paul Wanushek
November 11, 2020 at 3:56 pmJerry made a choice. So did the rest of band. Makes me happy to see any band look up to or over to my fav band the grateful dead with respect like that
Doug
November 11, 2020 at 1:53 pmR E S P E C T