If you go
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Benefit Concert featuring Metallica, U2, Aretha Franklin and more
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Madison Square
Garden, Seventh Avenue and 32nd Street $80-$2,500 212-465-MSG1
Published 00:49, October the 30th, 2009
Still riding the lightning
With Metallica on the eve of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, guitarist Kirk Hammett says his band keeps fresh by staying in the present.
“I’ve found that the longer we’re on tour, the better reception the new material gets,” he says. “It’s a matter of the fans getting to learn the songs and digging the material.”
In conversation, the guitarist is a unique mixture of humble and proud.
“Our tour is one of the most successful out there, I’m sorry to say,” he says with a slight laugh. “I credit that to the fact that when Metallica goes on tour, there are certain things you can expect from us, such as a really energetic and extended show.”
Hammett is also excited about his own recent growth as a musician.
“I can personally say that I think I play my guitar better than ever. I’ve just made a few changes here and there to my technique and approach,” he says. “I wish I’d done it before we recorded ‘Death Magnetic.’”
With his forward-looking ethos, Hammett says his new style is “something fresh to present with the new album.”
The test of time
Hammett says while the type of music his band plays initially appealed mostly to teenage boys, they’re way beyond that selective audience now.
“The demographics have widened on both ends. Ten years ago, we would have appealed to 18 to 35 years old. Now we’re appealing to the 12- to 55-year-olds as well. It’s really amazing to see that our demographic is actually expanding. To me, that says our music is standing the test of time, that it’s multi-generational.”
METRO