SmartLess – “Lars Ulrich”

Intro

In this episode of the “SmartLess” podcast, the hosts are joined by Lars Ulrich, the drummer of the legendary band Metallica. They discuss Lars’ journey in the music industry, his passion for tennis, the band’s success, and their thoughts on the future of music. Along the way, they share personal stories, funny anecdotes, and insights into the world of rock music.

Main Takeaways

William Freakin and Scary Movies

• William Freakin was a tremendous artist and director of a scary movie that one of the speakers can’t watch today because it’s too scary.
• William Freakin said “who gives a sh*t” when a student asked him what format to shoot their student film in.

Personal Stories and Experiences

• One of the speakers is going to perform a show in New York in three weeks, with 21 shows in total.
• A friend’s partner attended one of the speaker’s shows and was moved to tears, staying in her seat for 20 minutes after the show ended.
• One of the speakers went on a helicopter ride around New York City with a friend who treated them to the experience.
• Helicopters have zero glide potential, which can be scary for some people.

Lars Ulrich and Metallica

• Metallica has sold nearly 120 million albums worldwide and has won nine Grammy Awards.
• Lars Ulrich of Metallica joined the podcast as a guest.
• Lars Ulrich of Metallica is a representative of an entire genre of music that has inspired people across all different types of music.

Music, Creativity, and Success

• Podcasts don’t need guests, just the seven-minute bands before the reveal is enough.
• Potential Metallica titles discussed include “Bread Balls”, “Zero Glide Potential”, and “Madonna”.
• Lars Ulrich moved to the US to play tennis at Nick Bolotair’s tennis academy in Bradenton, Florida in 1979.
• Music was always hovering as an escape from the discipline of tennis for Lars, who played guitar and drums in Denmark.

Metallica’s Longevity and Impact

• Metallica’s touring schedule has changed in the past decade to prioritize health and mindfulness.
• The band’s chef travels with them and provides healthy drinks and food options.
• Metallica has been playing for over 40 years and persevering is now the victory.
• Metallica has played at Giant Stadium nine times and has a long-standing relationship with the greater New York tri-state area for four plus decades.

Summary

William Freakin and Scary Movies

The hosts discuss their admiration for William Freakin, a renowned artist and director known for his work on scary movies. One of the speakers reveals that they are unable to watch one of Freakin’s movies today because it is too terrifying. They also share an anecdote about Freakin’s response to a student asking for advice on shooting a student film.

Personal Stories and Experiences

The hosts share personal stories and experiences, including one of the speakers preparing for a series of shows in New York. They recount how a friend’s partner attended one of the speaker’s shows and was deeply moved, staying in her seat for 20 minutes after the show ended. They also talk about a thrilling helicopter ride around New York City with a friend, highlighting the lack of glide potential in helicopters, which can be unsettling for some people.

Lars Ulrich and Metallica

The hosts welcome Lars Ulrich, the drummer of Metallica, as a guest on the podcast. They discuss Metallica’s immense success, with nearly 120 million albums sold worldwide and nine Grammy Awards won. They also emphasize Lars Ulrich’s role as a representative of an entire genre of music that has inspired people across different musical styles.

Music, Creativity, and Success

The hosts explore the world of music, creativity, and success. They question the necessity of guests on podcasts, suggesting that the seven-minute bands before the reveal are enough. They also mention potential Metallica album titles, such as “Bread Balls,” “Zero Glide Potential,” and “Madonna.” The conversation shifts to Lars Ulrich’s past as a tennis player and his decision to pursue music instead. They discuss the importance of music as an escape and Lars’ influences from bands like Deep Purple, ACDC, and KISS.

Metallica’s Longevity and Impact

The hosts delve into Metallica’s longevity and impact in the music industry. They talk about the band’s changed touring schedule, prioritizing health and mindfulness. They mention Metallica’s chef who travels with them, providing healthy drinks and food options. They highlight Metallica’s four-decade-long relationship with the greater New York tri-state area and their numerous performances at Giant Stadium. The hosts attribute Metallica’s success to their quality of music, relationship with fans, and ability to prioritize their mental health.

Conclusion

In this episode, the hosts engage in a fascinating conversation with Lars Ulrich, the drummer of Metallica. They touch on various topics, including Lars’ tennis background, Metallica’s success, and the future of music. The episode provides insights into the world of rock music and the journey of one of its iconic bands.