The $5.98 EP-Garage Days Re-Revisited
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Ahh, 1987. Before Bob Rock and The Black Album were even imagined, before Metallica cut their hair and gave us multiple LOADS, there were “The Garage Days”.
After the devastating and tragic loss of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986, Metallica had to find a suitable replacement bassist to help the band continue forward on their quest for worldwide Thrash Metal domination.
Enter Jason Newsted.
Enter some new blood. Enter Night… (Wait, it’s too early for that…we’re not there yet, so let it keep ringing out, just let it ring out. Okay turn it off now).
JOIN US after you prepare and consume (and prepare and consume some more of) your favorite relaxer and block out some (most/all) of your day as we go through the cheapest and arguably one of the best Thrash Metal EP’s ever released: Metallica’s Garage Days Re-Revisited.
HELPLESS:
It’s like I’m 15 all over again. What’s so absurd is that I wasn’t sure what I was listening to, because while I KNEW it was Metallica (because duh! It sounds like them!) none of the songwriters looked familiar.
The speed and the tightness of this song blew me away, and the mix, to be a “garage” mix (i.e. “perceived to be shittier than a ‘polished’ studio mix”) was legendarily crystal clear and direct; almost as if Rick Rubin had a hand in the “not-so produced” producedness of it all. (NOTE: This is where everyone was SO unbefuckinglievably frustrated with Justice.
Bass is supposed to have presence in the mix. If you’re EVER in doubt of how fucking killer a bass sound SHOULD be, just go back to 1987, smoke a bowl, Re-RE-Visit and REALLY RE-LISTEN to Garage Days Re- Revisited, shut your hole, and let it ring out…okay turn it off now).
THE SMALL HOURS:
I remember I used to be completely mystified by production as a youngster.
Obviously, I understood there’s a level of artistry and science and technology behind it, but Garage Days (GD) always had that vibe to it, that you were hanging out in the garage listening to these guys at band practice.
We all remember those days. Beers and smokes and tunes and cluelessness. Nothing else mattered but thrash metal. I always thought the production on this album was SO fucking badass!!
I kept thinking “Okay, this is an unusual follow up to Master of Puppets but okay”, not realizing that this was more of a “breaking in/introducing the newest member after a horrific tragedy and a personal loss of unexplainable magnitude” kind of release.
In hindsight, I’m sure that was a difficult period for the band and we here at Metal Nerdery Podcast, as well as ALL Metallica fans worldwide, STILL miss Cliff Burton (R.I.P.), yet we are EVER GRACIOUS that he walked this earth.
HAIL!
And as a testament to his badassery, WE ARE ALSO EVER GRACIOUS for Mr. Jason Newsted’s presence and contribution to the magic of Garage Days and Metallica overall! HAIL, kudos, commendments, condiments AND croutons for you, sir! (Don’t worry…I’m still letting it ring out…okay turn it off now.)
THE WAIT:
That fucking CRUNCH!!!!
I actually enjoy hearing the ‘human’ aspect of a recording; it makes it a more genuine experience.
The flange on James’ voice was strange…definitely a different vibe for the Mighty Metallica, but I still dug it, BECAUSE it was Metallica. That’s really all that NEEDS to be fucking said: #becausemetallica.
I liked the feedback and the separation. It really felt like you were there. It felt oddly “happier” to me than Puppets if that makes sense.
Puppets is what made me believe in Metallica as modern-day metal prophets having to do battle against everyday demons through thrash metal. And don’t let ANYONE tell you any different.
You read it on the internet, therefore it’s gospel. Or maybe not. I dunno…
CRASH COURSE IN BRAIN SURGERY:
And now, the BASS guitar…go! That CRUNCH!!!!
“And (Stoned) Jesus said: After what Bon Scott said, I Say ‘Let there be Mesa Boogie and James Hetfield’…” Always dug the groove of this tune.
Garage Days was a perfect example of how Metallica could take ANY band and apply THEIR voice and make it sound like Metallica.
As our friends across the pond would say “It’s fucking brilliant” (they’d probably say that after they stop babbling like drunken idiots before the guitar solo part; I wondered if that was like a mumble solo or something; kinda cool, definitely different…carry on, lads!!).
And now, the most spotlight Jason Newsted will ever receive for his bass contributions to Metallica (lol & j/k but still definitely lol)
LAST CARESS/GREEN HELL:
YES!!!
The ultimate Metallica cover anthem…or anthem cover. It took me a while to understand that this was actually 2 different songs.
THAT is how fucking badass Metallica is: they’re gifted enough to take 2 different songs and make me think it’s one song.
That fucking SPEED! Did anyone ever catch the weird multitracked fuck up in the chorus there? You’ve GOT to love the Run to the Hills outtake at the end…that still gives me a chuckle.
HAIL to BOLTH Metallica of then, and now…including the Cliff, definitely the Robert, but NOT forgetting the Jason. For this episode: he gets ALL of the croutons.
Ron’s got an indefinite spot for Jason available at the Rib Lounge on COTLOD. The plaque is on baqueorder.
Show Notes
(00:00): – A word from Selma May before “doing the business”/Into the Metal Nerdery Time Tunnel to 1987: The $5.98 EP-Garage Days Re-Revisited CASS-ETTE and the tragedy of personal loss prior to this release (and their GLORIOUS return with this fan-fucking-tastical EP!)
(05:33): – Not realizing that the songs were “covers”/ The Monsters of Rock Tour/The $9.98 EP CD/The vibe and the feel of Garage Days/#earcondoms #thinkingahead #huh and the #selectivehearing of the #shespeak
(10:01): – The power of bootlegging, tape trading and networking in the metal community/More associated Garage Days factoids/Lots of NWOBHM bands (Misfits, Diamond Head, Budgie, Holocaust) #dontdenythepowerof/perfect 2020 band name
(13:13): – The Tracks: Helpless (that tone!!)/Sage Bass Advice (#dearlars)/#whoopsiedoodles #falseintro Helpless original version by Diamond Head (complete with shoulder shake-check out the video)
(18:25): – And NOW, The Small Hours (#huevos) And THEN The Small Hours Holocaust version (#suckonthis) very stoner metal-ish
(23:33): – The Wait (original version-Killing Joke) vs the Metallica version of The Wait (and the impossible question to answer if you’re Killing Joke)/Crash Course in Brain Surgery (original Budgie Version): a “higher” Geddy Lee (#stonermetal) and the glorious Metallica Version (including Deep Thoughts with The Boys and Jason Newsted’s shining moment of bass zen)
(32:48): – Last Caress/Green Hell (Metallica version) and the “happiness” of punk/Does anyone remember the weird “moment” captured on the original release of this track? If so, please EMAIL US at metalnerdery@gmail.com (rereleased on 2018). Happy recent 33rd Anniversary to Garage Days Re-Revisited!/#hiddentrack #easteregg