Joel McIver Justice for All: The Truth About Metallica
As a long time Metallica fan and a member of...And Jersey for All, I am definitly interested in reading your book. Is it available in the states yet?
It came out in the UK, Europe and Australia a couple of weeks ago and will be available online and in all major (and hopefully many minor) US bookstores from June.
Your published works span 3 1/2 years and you've written five books in that time on quite a diverse musical subject matter. What is it that inspires you?
Basically any music with energy and atmosphere. Metallica have always been my favourite band and I've been wanting to do a full-size book on them for some time. As for how I squeezed in all those books in such a short time, I really don't know! A lot of dedication and late nights...
Why choose Metallica now, rather than 5 years ago or even 10 years ago?
No reason other than I only started my career as an author 4 years ago. I became a music journalist 6 years ago and progressed from there to writing books -- it takes time to build enough skill and experience to write a book of this size.
It's not out in the UK until much later in the year but I've seen the trailer and it looks fantastic for anyone who's interested in the behind-the-scenes history of the band
Did you time the release of your Metallica book with that of the film?
Not at all. My book was commissioned in autumn 2002, at which point Metallica were completely out of the public eye. It took me about a year to write (150,000 words! yikes) and I submitted it to the publisher in September 2003. Editing, manufacture and distribution took another 6 months and here we are. It's just a very lucky coincidence for me that Metallica have emerged from the studio with a new album, toured and made a movie at about the same time my book has appeared.
What makes your Metallica book different from those written before?
Three things. Firstly, it's much bigger and longer -- although there are one or two useful small biographies (Unbound for example), no-one has ever done a massive book, which Metallica deserve. Secondly, it contains absolutely masses of detailed information on the band (see www.joelmciver.co.uk, many of the reviews there mention this fact), which the fans will love. Thirdly, it answers a lot of questions about Metallica -- what really happened with Napster, what really happened at the dawn of thrash metal, and so on. It's no standard biography.
Your title says, quite boldly, that this book offers the "truth" about Metallica. Do you feel that "truth" is subjective and often irrelevant when dealing with a rock and roll band? Would you feel that their are "shades of truth" co-existing between their public persona and their private lives?
I understand your point but in this case, there are plenty of concrete, undisputable facts about Metallica and I've made a point of listing as many as possible. To avoid uncertainty and inaccuracy I went straight to the source and interviewed over 75 musicians, producers, writers and related personnel who either know Metallica personally or were there in the early 80s when they started out.
Was there any band or management involvement in the writing of this book?
No. I didn't even bother approaching them for two reasons. Firstly, and quite understandably, I'm sure they would have refused to get involved, with their own book coming out later this year. Secondly, although I am a huge, huge fan of Metallica, I've criticised them pretty harshly for some of the music they've recorded in the last few years. If this had been an authorised book I obviously wouldn't have been able to put that stuff in. Official biographies can be difficult because the subject often has editorial control, which necessarily makes the books a bit one-sided.
However, among the 75 people I spoke to for the book, I did interview Jason Newsted, Dave Mustaine, Brian Slagel (he set up Met's first recording), Jon Zazula (their first manager), Ross Halfin (their official photographer), John Kornarens (Lars' metal buddy from the 80s) and Torben Ulrich (Lars' father), so I think I got as close to the band as I could without actually speaking to the four members.
The Music Week quote on your website says that you write "...as a fan, music critic, and impassioned observer..." Do you feel that you are objective in that writing? What kind of personal bias did you have when writing the book?
Good question. I knew when I was writing this that my personal opinion would inevitably cause controversy at points, so what I always did was draw balanced, rational, supported arguments throughout. I always looked at both sides of any issue. For example, when I was writing about Load and Reload, which I personally don't like, I drew up a list of every possible positive thing about them before countering these points with negatives. In this way I hope to provide an unbiased view. Another way of avoiding personal subjectivity is to call in an undisputed expert who has no personal agenda. For the Napster debate, which I wrote about at length, I interviewed the world's leading expert in digital copyright and internet law, an American law professor.
And as this is a chapter site and newsletter... How many times have you seen Metallica live? When? Where?
More times than I can remember but my favourite gig was at Newport, Wales, in 1988, on the Justice tour. When Blackened started I almost passed out!
Favourite Metallica album and why?
Puppets for its incredible musicianship, speed and power. It's one of the most multifaceted, atmospheric albums ever made, in the metal genre or otherwise. But if I just want to get drunk and bang my head it's Kill 'Em All every time!
What does Metallica mean to you?
Thank you and I hope your chapter goes from strength to strength! It's you guys who keep the Metallica flame burning. Could you do me a favour and mention that the book can be pre-ordered from www.amazon.com, or if people want to get a copy now they can use www.amazon.co.uk? Also, if they have any queries they can contact me -- as you have -- via www.joelmciver.co.uk.
Many thanks
Joel
bravenet.com