Pepper Keenan, the legendary bassist and vocalist from Corrosion of Conformity and Down, recently opened up about his audition to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica. In an exclusive interview, Keenan discussed not only the intensity of the experience but also what he would have done differently had he secured the position.
“It was intense,” Keenan recalled. “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!”
When asked what direction he would have taken the band, Keenan’s vision was rooted in nostalgia and raw energy. “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. I would’ve gotten back in that world and started on some Master Of Puppets shit! Get back in the garage.”
Despite the chemistry during rehearsals, Keenan’s time in contention for the role came to an abrupt end. “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 took place during a pivotal moment in Metallica’s history. Guitar World reported that Keenan was one of many hopefuls to try out for the Metallica gig as James Hetfield and the band looked to find Jason Newsted’s replacement following his departure in 2001. The search for a new bassist became one of the most significant decisions the band would make during that era.
The audition process was notably competitive, with several accomplished musicians vying for the position. Keenan’s experience and musical pedigree made him a serious contender. However, the band’s internal dynamics and vision for the future would ultimately determine who would fill the role.
The audition process itself became part of rock and roll lore. Far Out Magazine noted that when Pepper Keenan auditioned to be in Metallica and saw that it might result in the downgrade of the band, he stepped away from the position. This decision reflected Keenan’s integrity and his understanding of what the band needed at that critical juncture.
