"It was 20 years ago today
Motorhead taught this band to play
At first they were so out of style
Now they’re guaranteed to raise your bile
So may I introduce to you, The band that drank 1000 beers… ”
“Sgt Hetfield’s Motorbreath Pub Band”
Internet legend Beatallica just release their unique bash up of Metallica and Beatles inspired songs with the release of their major label debut, 'Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band' on July 10th, 2007. After famously receiving a cease and desist and their subsequent legal journey to bring to the world their ode to Metal as channeled thru Lemmy, Danzig, Lennon, McCartney and the infamous Sgt. Hetfield, the band now has all necessary official clearances to legally let the Metal thrash and flow.
The Rocker and I asked the band's lead bass player, Kliff McBurtney what Beatallica is all about and give us the low down on 'Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band'. Here is what he shared with us.
AAM: How does it feel to finally get the national and even international recognition that you guys deserve?
Kliff McBurtney: We are working on deserving it, man! I hate to give a cheesy stock answer, but it is the FANS, who we like to call the Beatallibangers, that deserve the applause as we would not be doing this without their encouragement, diligence, patience, and appreciation. They have been the true driving force for what we are doing today, with the album coming out, and the touring around. If you had asked me back at that fateful April Fools party back in 2001 I would have said "Who is Beatallica?"
AAM: Before we go any further, give us a brief history of how Beatallica all began.
KB: OK, dateline 2001, April fools day (or thereabouts) an annual local party happened, Spooffest, where we local musicians emulate and desecrate our favorite artists. Jaymz and former guitarist KRK, who were emulating MetallicA, after a few too many beers (Jaymz says a warm 8 pack) and a lifelong love of both Beatles and MetallicA decided to compose some what if... type songs. Like, what if Metallica got really fucked up one night and "Garage Days"-ed some Beatles tunes. 14 hours later the party favor was ready, and was used as spoofMetallicA's preshow CD. I recieved one of these 30 burned discs, as I was in attendance photographing the event. Also recieving one was local Internet radio host and former Marquette University Physics prof. David Dixon, whom none of us had ever met. Dixon, a mash up lover and Beatles fan, posted the Spooffest disc on his site, starkeffect.org for his listeners and cronies to enjoy. Naming the project BeatallicA, Dixon then contacted Jaymz after a few months and conveyed that there was serious interest in his bands material, and requests for more. Jaymz basically said "What band are you talking about?", but sat patiently and listened over a pint or three. A few months later and Beatallica was a road gigging band, whose first ever show was in El Paso TX. Quite a way from the Milwaukee local scene. After the release of some more internet songs on the new Beatallica.org website, there was some legal mumbo jumbo hoops to jump through. The site was down for a while, and a huge cry worldwide from our fans went up, prompting many articles about "the man" keeping the little guy down. Lars Ulrich one day phoned Jaymz and offered his sage counsel as to how to keep the project going. Years flashed forward, loops jumped, red tape cut, alliances formed, and many gigs played, BeatallicA's new album is out July 10th. Now you are caught up.
AAM: Love the title of the new CD. How has the response been so far?
KB: So far so good. We are really happy to showcase the songs in a good sounding, mastered disc. The original tunes were just slapped down, never mastered, mashed to mp3 and sent around. Hopefully Sgt. Het's shows the pieces in their resplendent grandeur.
AAM: Lars, James and Kirk have stated they enjoy what you guys do. Was there a time when you thought they may not be so happy?
KB: As I stated, it was never meant to leave the confines of the party! Of course it was never mean spirited and only ever meant as an homage to two of our influential bands, so it is nice to have tickled MetallicA's funny bone and given something back to them.
AAM: What was your reaction when you heard that they loved what you guys created? ? Any word from Paul or Ringo?
KB: We think it is awesome. This project wouldn't be here were it not for Metallica's direct intervention. They are our saviors. As to Paul and Ringo, no direct word yet, but we would love to tip a pint with them and hear their thoughts. Somehow I think they are a little too busy though.
AAM: How did you hook up with Oglio Records? Weren’t these the same guys who sent you a cease and desist notice?
KB: What?!?!?! Do your bloody homework, hesher!!! ;) No, really, Oglio was only ever helpful to the project, especially keeping the project going in its original form, not changing it to another Beatles or Metallica only tribute band, because that was never the goal. They have been instrumental in our legal negotiations as well.
AAM: What type of reactions to your get from people seeing and hearing Beatallica for the first time?
KB: Shock, Horror, Fear, and Disgust, ya know the four horsemen of the apocalypse. After they start to take it in, and if they have intimate knowledge of MetallicA and the Beatles, they come around and really enjoy the joke, to become true hybrid children.
AAM: Where would you like to see Beatallica 10 years from now?
KB: Tipping pints and sipping whiskey at Paddy's Pub on Murray St. in Milwaukee, and playing music in some form or another.
AAM: What about plans for a video or DVD from Beatallica?
KB: There is video footage on the Oglia sight oglio.com, as well as many fan submitted live shots on the various video websights. As to an official DVD, there is talk of it. Right now though, we are focusing on getting Sgt. Hetfields' Motorbreath Pub Band to the masses. One day at a time, ya know.
AAM: Anything else you guys would like to add?
KB: Buy the CD, come to our website, beatallica.org and join our mailing list an forum to get the straight poop, come out and see us in the front of the pit, prepare to rock, play it loud. Crank it to 11.
The Rocker and I along with All Access magazine would like to thank Kliff for sharing his time with us. We had a blast brother! See you guys when you storm into L.A.! Cheers!
For more info on BEATALLICA: beatallica.org
