Last week, Metallica took time out from working on their new album to revisit a piece of their past. They returned to the El Cerrito, Calif., house where they lived from 1983 to 1986 and wrote the material found on Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets.
The group received a proclamation from Greg Lyman, the city’s mayor, honoring them as a cultural institution, and then the band spoke about what the house at 3132 Carlson Blvd., meant to them. As you can see in the video above, Lars Ulrich said that, several years ago, they had hoped to buy the house’s garage and move it to their headquarters, but it had already been torn down. “Maybe we would finish the new record quicker if we were in that f—ing garage,” he said, before jokingly noting how his perspective has changed in the years since they moved out. “The fact that houses can shrink over time is really crazy. This house is officially 30 percent smaller than it was in the ’80s. I don’t know if anybody else is thinking that, but that’s my first thought, man.”
Ulrich was in a particularly jovial mood as he brought up the antics that took place inside the house’s walls. “Thankfully, most of the things that went on in here are forgotten,” he continued. He also asked bassist Robert Trujillo what he remembered about living there. Trujillo joined the band in 2003.
Guitarists James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett were a little more contemplative. “I think we’ve all kind of forgotten a lot of stuff that’s happened in our history,” Hetfield said, “and this is a great way to jog our memories and to see people’s faces here, as well. We’re so grateful for everyone that’s here and being a part of this with us.” Hammett then recalled some of their old friends from those days who have passed on. “It’s really, really emotional for me,” he said. “I’m sure it’s emotional for you guys, too. I’m just glad we’re here together, you know, 30 years on … to celebrate together, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
Although Hammett referenced those who were no longer around, in the video, there was mention by name of the late Cliff Burton, who joined the band in 1983 on the condition that they move from Los Angeles to his native Bay Area.
