Former Metallica Bassist Shares What He Thinks Is The Band’s Most Disgusting Song

It’s Not Surprising

Original Metallica bassist Ron McGovney has shared across his social media channels what he thinks is the “most disgusting song” the band has ever recorded. He was with them from October 1981 to December 1982 and even appeared on their early demos. Prior to that gig, he played with frontman James Hetfield in the short-lived Leather Charm.

He singled out their cover of Anti-Nowhere League’s “So What”. He wrote, “Most disgusting song
@Metallica ever recorded. James and Lars played the single over and over on my turntable even though they knew I hated it. Not fun times.”

Most disgusting song @Metallica ever recorded. James and Lars played the single over and over on my turntable even though they knew I hated it. Not fun times.

— Ron McGovney (@RonMcGovney) October 24, 2020

A fan then asked him, “Did you like any of the punk stuff, they were listening to Ron? Or did the punk stuff come later on for them?” To which he replied with: “I listened to the Ramones. Saw them live several times. My band Phantasm played shows with punk bands including the Plasmatics.”

I listened to the Ramones. Saw them live several times. My band Phantasm played shows with punk bands including the Plasmatics.

— Ron McGovney (@RonMcGovney) October 25, 2020

“So What?” is an original by British punk band Anti-Nowhere League. It was first featured on the B-side of their debut single in 1981. With its obscene lyrical content, it’s no wonder why McGovney thought it’s “disgusting”. In fact, British police had to seize all the copies and remove them from sale under the Obscene Publications Act.