Les Claypool Looks Back at His Wildly Disastrous Metallica Audition

Les Claypool is widely regarded as one of the most inventive and technically gifted bassists in modern music. Yet even that reputation wasn’t enough to secure him a place in Metallica when he auditioned for the band in late 1986, following the death of Cliff Burton.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Guardian, Claypool admitted he misjudged the situation entirely. “I didn’t know how popular they were,” he said, recalling how out of sync he felt during the tryout. “We played a song or two and I said, ‘Hey, you guys want to jam on some Isley Brothers?’ Nobody laughed.”

A Mismatch in Style and Personality

Claypool, who had gone to school with guitarist Kirk Hammett, suggested that the disconnect went beyond musical ability. While some, including James Hetfield in Behind the Music, later claimed Claypool was simply “too good,” the bassist has consistently pushed back on that narrative.

Reflecting on the audition in a 2005 Bass Player interview, Claypool said it quickly became clear he wasn’t the right fit. “I can’t really remember what songs we played, but I didn’t fit in, that was really obvious,” he explained. “I believe Lars said, ‘You’re not really used to this kind of music, are you?’ My first response was, goddamn, this is loud!”

Finding the Right Path with Primus

Claypool has since dismissed the idea that his skills were the issue, pointing instead to stark differences in image and attitude. “No, it wasn’t that – I just didn’t fit in,” he later told Kerrang!. “I had a blonde Mohawk and baggy skater pants and two different coloured tennis shoes – and this was back when they had long hair and tight pants.

“I told him he was full of it, and thought I was a freak! That was why he didn’t want me! And he just laughed, because it was true. I wouldn’t have fit. They’re not dumb.”

Ultimately, the rejection proved pivotal. Claypool went on to form the classic Primus lineup with guitarist Ler LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander. Their early releases—Suck On This (1989) and Frizzle Fry (1990)—helped establish the band’s unique sound and led to a major label deal with Interscope in 1991, cementing Claypool’s legacy on his own terms.