Episode 77: Chad Zaemisch - Inside the Mind of James Hetfield’s Guitar Tech

The week of January 15, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We hear from guitar tech Chad Zaemisch. He shares what it’s like being interviewed for a job by prospective boss James Hetfield, then details his creative and technical approach to the role. He discusses how the gig has changed over the last 22 years, what working a show is like, and the importance of trust in his relationship with James. Finally, Chad recalls some memorable and satisfying moments from the last two decades. The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. California Community Foundation: https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund  Pasadena Community Foundation: https://pasadenacf.org/supporting-our-community-eaton-canyon-fire-relief-recovery-fund  Lite-Time Wireless Stage Solutions: https://lite-time.com  James Hetfield ESP Products: metallica.lnk.to/ESP-JamesHetfield  Ernie Ball Papa Het Strings: metallica.lnk.to/ErnieBall-JamesHetfield  Papa Het Pick Tin: metallica.lnk.to/JH-PickTin  Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music   Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we have Steff and Renee introducing the American Masters: Creative Spark podcast from PBS. We've become regular listeners and hope you enjoy it too.

The week of January 8, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We speak with James Hetfield about his perennial and peerless lyrics. Our songwriter shares what he loves about the architecture of words, whether he sees himself as a storyteller, and his appreciation of Tom Waits. Then, we take a trip back through the So What! archives to revisit his approach to songs such as “Harvester Of Sorrow,” “Moth Into Flame,” and “ManUNkind.” Finally, he discusses the soul searching behind 72 Seasons and explains—what he has determined to be—the three phases of “Fuck it!”  Become a Fifth Member: https://www.metallica.com/fans  The Metallica Black Box: https://www.metallica.com/museum  Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music   Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week of January 1, 2025 on The Metallica Report… As we welcome 2025, Steff and Renée had to take one last chance to appreciate the year that was with their favorite moments and guests from The Metallica Report 2024. From bird-watching to high school memories to world tour vibes, this one covers a lot of ground! So sit back and enjoy reminiscing with James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, Brian Tatler, Les Claypool, Ron Quintana, Jeff Yeager, Dan Nykolayko, and, of course, our beloved hosts. The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week of December 25, 2024 on The Metallica Report… With the holiday season in full swing, we hear from Metallica’s confirmed cinephile, Lars Ulrich. Having seen 18 films at the Mill Valley Film Festival alone, he speaks about some of his favorite movies over the last few months. And for good measure, Steff has him throw in his current musical flavors, as well. Meanwhile, Robert Trujillo shares his modest New Year’s Resolution: expanding his powers of communication with the world. Happy Holidays from Metallica HQ! The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Helping Hands Concert: https://www.youtube.com/live/7SIS9gYdmZY  Helping Hands Auction: https://helpinghandsauction.com  Mill Valley Film Festival: https://www.mvff.com  Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week of December 18, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée bring all the details from last week’s Helping Hands Concert & Auction at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. Coverage starts during rehearsals when Lars and Robert share the band’s approach to the unique nature of this traditionally acoustic/electric show. Metallica superfan Jason Momoa takes us back to his entrée into music, his love of bass, and his admiration for All Within My Hands. Then, LA Rams Offensive Tackle Rob Havenstein–who used NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative to spotlight AWMH–shares how he discovered the mighty Metallica. We also get a review of the show itself, where our hosts discuss SistaStrings, Sammy Hagar and his “The Best Of All Worlds” band, and the very special Metallica sets. The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Helping Hands Auction: https://www.helpinghandsauction.com  All Within My Hands: https://www.allwithinmyhands.org  Jason Momoa: https://www.instagram.com/prideofgypsies  Rob Havenstein’s AWMH Cleats: https://www.helpinghandsauction.com/lite-ui/?controller=lots&action=showLot&id=78  Sammy Hagar: https://www.instagram.com/sammyhagar  SistaStrings: https://www.instagram.com/sistastrings  Avi Vinocur: https://www.instagram.com/avispersonalprofile Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week of December 11, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée are getting ready for the fourth biennial Helping Hands Concert & Auction on Friday, December 13, by speaking with two of this year’s honorees. First, Renée catches up with actress Maggie Baird (aka the mother of Billie Eilish and Finneas) from Support + Feed. If that organization sounds familiar, it’s because Support + Feed joined us on the 2024 North American M72 run of shows, spreading the word about their work changing the food equity system through education around a plant-based diet. Next, Renée and Steff enjoy an in-depth chat with Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament, who discusses his non-profit organization, Montana Pool Service. MPS works to build world-class skate parks and connect youth communities in Montana, Washington, and South Dakota. Though unavailable to join the podcast this week, we still get to hear from Father Greg Boyle, the founder of our third honoree this year, Homeboy Industries. By providing hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, Homeboy Industries has evolved into the largest gang intervention, rehab, and re-entry program in the world. The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Helping Hands Auction: https://www.helpinghandsauction.com  Support + Feed: http://supportandfeed.org  Montana Pool Service: http://montanapoolservice.com  Homeboy Industries: http://homeboyindustries.org  Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week of December 4, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Metallica’s long-time tech, Zach Harmon, sits down to offer an overview of how the humble yet venerated guitar pick has developed over the years for this band. Zach explains the importance of shapes, colors, sizes, and styles of these tiny tools of the trade and reveals his own fervent attention to detail and creativity when it comes to such things as the now infamous “city picks.” The Metallica Report - your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Dunlop: https://www.jimdunlop.com/products/guitar-picks  Get picks at: https://www.metallica.com/store/accessories/picks-sticks  Upcoming M72 Tour Dates: https://www.metallica.com/tour   Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week of November 27, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Here in America, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow. For many of us, Thanksgiving day is full of lots of food, of course, and spending time with family. “Family.” That word can mean so many different things depending on who you ask. So, we checked in with a few people in our orbit to hear what family means to them, kicking it off with our own Papa Het. The Metallica Report - your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Upcoming M72 Tour Dates: https://www.metallica.com/tour  Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week of November 20, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Adam Dubin, the man behind A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica, joins Steffan and Renée to revisit his time behind the Metallica curtain and share why his approach to filming struck the right chord. He also gives us a more personal look into a pivotal time in the lives of the young band members. The Metallica Report - your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Adam Dubin: https://www.instagram.com/dubinator64  A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/a-year-and-a-half-in-the-life-of-metallica/umc.cmc.671p1wmt7yvra5lly8vdl2wn4  Upcoming M72 Tour Dates: https://www.metallica.com/tour  Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices