‘No Disrespect to GN’R, but Metallica Was Way Better and Funner’: Rob Trujillo on Opening for His Current Band

“I remember one show, somebody threw a sandwich… and then Mike [Muir] and I went out in the crowd of 40,000 to try and beat up somebody we couldn’t find.”

Robert Trujillo reflected on opening for Metallica and Guns N’ Roses as a member of Suicidal Tendencies, saying that both experiences were great but that playing with his current bandmates was “way better.”

Over the past 21 years, Rob Trujillo has proven to be very capable of upholding the legacy of his Metallica predecessors Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted, but being the thrash giants’ longest-serving bassist isn’t the only thing Trujillo is known for, as his résumé also includes a legendary stint with Ozzy Osbourne, as well as being a quintessential component of what was arguably Suicidal Tendencies’ most iconic era.

As such, Trujillo c in Black & White” book signing event at Bio Rex, Lasipalatsi in Helsinki, Finland. As it happened, Suicidal Tendencies were bouncing between Metallica and Guns N’ Roses as the opening act in the early ’90s, and Trujillo admits that playing with Metallica was much more enjoyable (transcription via Blabbermouth):

“So, basically 1993, 1994, Suicidal Tendencies supported Metallica. We came through Europe with Metallica and we also did the States. And that was my first introduction to massive production. And the interesting thing is, in ’93 in Europe, we were actually going sort of back and forth between Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. So we would do two weeks with Metallica, and then we’d do two weeks with Guns N’ Roses. And what I found was that our two weeks with Metallica were — no disrespect to Guns N’ Roses — but man, way better, way funner, better for us, better crowd.”

On the other hand, Trujillo said that the Guns N’ Roses gigs were less consistent in terms of having a good time. Recalling one particularly bizarre incident which occurred as Suicidal Tendencies opened for Axl Rose & Co, the bassist went on:

“With GN’R, it varied. I remember one show, somebody threw a sandwich, and it hit me, and I got really mad, and then Mike [Muir] and I went out in the crowd of 40,000 people to try and beat somebody up that we couldn’t find. But all of a sudden, we were signing autographs, and it’s, like, ‘Wait a minute. We’re supposed to be pissed off.’ So, it was weird. There were good days and bad days. But it’s always great to do these kind of tours anyway, ’cause you’re connecting with new fans.”

“But the Metallica fans were more kind of in our wheelhouse. But Guns N’ Roses was huge back then, so, of course, we had to take that tour. It was a great experience.”