Kim Hodges got a certified letter from Metallica's lawyer asking him to change the name of his business. Hodges said that he will not fight the band in court and that he is somewhat amused that Metallica, a group he likes, would even bother to threaten a ''piddling'' furniture company.

Jill Pietrini, a lawyer for the band, said: ''When we find out about things like this, we actively protect the band's trademark rights. ''It's not like we're trying to protect a name commonly used, like United. It's a unique name.''