Kirk on the NU 107.5 Manila, Philippines

Tabitha: So, how's the feedback you've been getting from "Reload"?

Kirk: Great, no problem.

T: And how does that compare to the slack you got from "Load?

K: People are still giving a slack about that, but you know it doesn't matter. It doesn't change my opinion on our music whatsoever 'cos I know in my heart that we put out the best album that we possibly could.

T: Do you consider yourself free of other inhibitions that others impose on you?

K: Musically, ofcourse. We pretty much do whatever we want.

T: Can't you say that you don't really care about what fans think, not in a bad way?

K: Well, you see, we're doing this to satisfy ourselves. To satisfy our creative urges. I mean, we're not gonna let the fans dictate the direction of our future album. 'Coz there are so many different opinions out there on what Metallica music should be, was or whatever, ya know. You can't take it all in and come to a conclusion. You have to take the initiative on what you want to do and what would make you happy.

T: Does this come with age you think?

K: No, it's an attitude we've always had. I mean, we pretty much do whatever we want. It's always been that way and we've pretty much maintained that without losing too much of our audience.

T: Will you try to be getting back to your "roots"?

K: Umm...one of our main goals is to always move forward, not to repeat ourselves. To plan different things and just keep it fresh. We would be retreading old ground if we'd write an album let's say in the style of Master of Puppets or And Justice For All.. We'd go backwards and that's something that we're not conscious of doing. And we just don't believe in repeating ourselves that way. We have absolutely no interest in doing that. But that style of music is still within us. We're still very capable of playing it on stage when we perform. But as far as going on, utilizing that style, I doubt it. I think that we'd rather use our time more constructively and ride along. 'Coz you know, if we went backwards it'll bored very very quickly.

T: So, what's in store for "Reload" after "Unforgiven II"?

K: Videowise?

T: Yep, videowise and singlewise

K: I think that Fuel's gonna be the third single. We're just starting on our ideas for a third video.

T: How did you come up with Metallica sound the word "Metallica?

K: Well, the sound kinda evolved and it's still evolving. The name came from a friend of Lars, a mutual friend of ours, who was trying to name his metal magazine.

T: So, there's a truth to that!

K: Oh yeaj! Yeah, I see the guy still

T: So, he just didn't end up with the name "Metallica" for his fanzine?

K: No, he stuck with "Metal Mania" and Lars ended up with "Metallica"

T: James and Lars with Megadeth's Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson? how true is this project?

K: Totally unfounded!

T: And how do you think the rumor started?

K: Well, it's probably Dave (Mustaine). It's wishful thinking on his part. Just the fact that James would never work with Dave

T: Never?

K: Never.

T: Kirk, retro music is going back in style. In your opinion, is hard music going back?

K: I think that it never really went away. It just got underground again. Like it was in the late 70's early 80's and now 'cos of the many current musical trends. I was just reading something in the "Rolling Stones" of how some of the heavy metal fans have gone to the Internet. There's a lot of support for metal online and that's encouraging (laughs).

T: Well, back in 1993. You guys were here in the Philippines. Was that '93?

K: Yeah, it was '93

T: How did you guys like here?

K: I dunno know if you've noticed it, but I'm a quarter Filipino so I loved it!

T: I heard of rumors of that, that you were and I was like "No way!".

K: Yeah. My grandmother and my grandfather were from Cebu City.

T: Really? I'm from there too. Cool! So, what? Do you have plans of coming back?

K: Gee right now, the economic affairs of Asia is really really kinda not enabling us to go to a lot of coutries we went to back in '93. We're thinking maybe in the next Asian tour, in a year and a half or two years, we'd be able to play the places that we weren't able to go in this Asian part of the tour. You know, hopefully we'll come back to the Philippines.

T: Yeah..

K: I remembered that the show was really really great.

T: So, what are your advice to the Filipino bands who would like to follow your foorsteps?

K: All they do is keep at it and work as hard as they can. And try to find an original sound, an original style. Hopefully, someone will recognize that and offer a record contract. But the clue to get noticed is to have a really really original sound. A sound that'll have something different to offer and won't sound like the millions different bands out.

T: What do you think has Metallica accomplished after 17 years of being out there?

K: Well, seven albums, a lot of live shows, opening people's lives to a different genre of music. Establishing an independent spirit within the music industry. I think that we've always remained independent of all the current musical trends, styles and whatever . And you know, that's a big accomplishment in its own. And we certaily opened the doors for a lot of other bands to go into the mainstream. And you know, those are some of the few things that come to mind. I'm still amazed that we're still around after all this time.

T: Thank you. You are so nice.

***Salamat means thank you in Filipino.

T: I'm sorry......

K: (laughs)

T: Oh! Salamat! Gosh! I didn't get it. That was pretty dense of me. Are you told that everytime, that you are nice?

K: Not really, but thank you

T: Well, you're nice! It was nice talking to you.

K: Bye-bye too

T: bye-bye