Aardschok editor Metal Mike, a close friend of Metallica since 1984, interviewed Jason, who gave answer to all of Mike's guestions. Some intresting answers:

Lack of respect from James was the main reason Jason left the band. James had lots of personal problems at that time, due to his drinking while Jason was bussy recording with echobrain. Lars and Kirk encouraged him, and James said it was OK at first but then, all of a sudden James changed his mind. He said: I'm afraid you won't give 100 percent to Metallica anymore.

Jason, always first to arive and last to leave, felt really pissed of. He also suffered from neckpains caused by headbanging over the years. Besides, he didn't like all those courtcases, he wanted to play music. First he asked for a year off, so the other members could spend time with their familys, but they said no. It was the hardest dissision of his life when he left, and he had a big depression for more than three weeks after.

Jason also said he still regurly speaks with Lars and Kirk who still are his best friends. He still looks up to James, like he always did, and understand the situation he was in last year. If one of the members would ask him to join again, he wouldn't wait a minute.

The new member, according to Jason, will not be a 25 year old kid, because that will not fit the other members.

All this in the January issue of Aardschok magazine. Thanks to Sietse Pots