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Intro: Virginia Fuel has the privledge of interviewing Niclas Swanlund. As most of you know, Niclas is the man behind MetOnTour. I'm sure most of you have seen or met him at least once over the past several years. He's a very good friend of former Chapter Head Eric Nielsen and myself. Niclas took a break from his "busy" schedule (surfing, drinking margaritas on the beach, enjoying the awesome weather in Costa Rica, etc.) to answer some of our questions. Enjoy!
- Chapter Head Jeff
When and where was the 1st time you saw Metallica play live?
The first time I ever saw Metallica was at the Donington Festival, England on August 22, 1987. This was interesting enough and also the worst Metallica show that I have ever seen. Why did it suck? Well, I was so upbeat and excited about seeing them, and then at that show I felt they had no connection with the crowd. They were just headbanging, being kinda into themselves. I thought this band sucked live! The 2nd time was when they came to Sweden on October 18, 1988, in Gothenburg at the Frolundaborg arena..and guess what... It was fucking amazing! This show was during the Justice tour with Queensryche as the opening act.
When and where was the 1st time you met Metallica?
After the show in Gothenburg (see above) me and my friend hung out for a while, then all 4 guys came out and hung out for a long time with the fans. I think the combination of a great show, plus being such amazing super cool people, made me really appreciate this band. They came out in the same clothes they were just on stage with (yes, probably just looking the same)
and just hung out with everyone sharing a beer. They were so down to earth, looking and acting just like the people that were on the other side of the fence. The reason they made such an impact was that we could all identify ourselves with them, the band did not try to be anything better than any of us. I always loved what Cliff Burton said in the "Cliff 'Em All" video, "It is just us four, doing what we want to do, lets keep it that way..."
How did you get your job with Metallica?
Shit, I got this question a hundred times, but I think I give a different answer everytime, as there are so many different reasons. One of my dreams as a young boy (uh oh, here we go...) was always to travel and explore the world. Sitting in school looking at maps and saying "look at this little island, one day I will go there" was always a driving force. ("We don't give a fuck about this, how did you get your job???") Alrighty, a long long story short (come down to Costa Rica and buy me a 12 pack of beer and you will get the long version). The combination of seeing my favorite band and get to see the world sounded like a great excuse to avoid "getting a real job". In 1990, I had different seasonal jobs, anything from working in a nursery to a factory preparing water heaters. I worked pretty much 24/7 and once I had saved up enough money I would go and see Metallica, wherever they might be. The first tour I followed was the "Justice is Done, Doris is gone" in 1990. They did 8 shows in Europe, and me and my friend Esbjorn saw 6 of those 8 shows. We bought a Euro Rail ticket and jumped on the train to catch the shows in Germany, Holland, France, two in England, and then the last one in Scotland. The six shows was done in eight days (not too many days off in those days). A funny thing I remember was that I actually brought with me around 100 vinyl albums from my collection during that whole tour...funny shit..
During this time to, I was a huge collector of vinyl bootlegs, I probably had more than the band. The next year in 1991, the boys came back for the Monsters Of Rock tour. Me and another friend, Magnus ("Wimp"), went to 15 shows. Back in those days very few fans travelled around to follow the band, so the security and the access to the band was much better. Somehow James and I started talking and we discussed Bootlegs, as he was kinda collecting at the time. I promised to bring a few cool ones that I had for him. James heard that we were going to multiple shows, so he invited us to be his guests at some of those shows. The Personal Assistant to the band during that time was none other than Tony "the best tour manager ever" Smith. Tony helped us out at the upcoming shows, with backstage passes and all kinds of cool things. One thing I remember from those days is how amazingly nice Tony was to us, and to all other fans. A lot of times crew people would look at fans and call them "punters", but I do remember that the band was always super cool.
Then throughout the next few years I spent most of my money and time going to shows all over the world, including shows in Jakarta (Indonesia) and Singapore. I remember a great story from Singapore - Tony Smith came out and asked me if I was interested in helping out Lars and video tape the show. Of course I will help out, I said. I guess they had no other one available, crazy enough to show up in Singapore. I had been recording shows before (maybe even smuggled in the camera in the early days to shoot the show!) so I was all ready when they asked me. The recording of the show went great and I was excited when I walked backstage to give the camera back to Tony. When I saw Tony, Lars was beside him, they asked how it went, and I said I turned out great. The next thing Lars looks at me and says "Where is my new tripod", HOLY FUCK I FORGOT IT AT THE SOUNDBOARD! I ran back, but of course some lucky person already had it in his bag on his way home...GREAT NICLAS, you are already fired before ever being hired!
Somehow, despite my unlucky start, Tony believed in me and he started to invite me to help out with various things. It could be anything from go and get a burger, push that case, but more than ever it was to film the shows. In 1994, I called Tony to ask for the tour dates for the Summer Shit US tour (they were not all announced, so I thought he might be able to help me out with some more dates). I told him I was planning to see shows in two out of the three months. Tony said "Why don't you just come over for the whole thing and we give you a job." WAS THERE STATIC ON THE LINE? EXCUSE ME, A JOB? That was like the coolest thing I ever heard. Trust me, it was not a glamourous job, but I was so extremly proud. I knew I was going to do my absolute best. Me and three of my friends flew over to the US jumped on the Greyhound and our tour started. This was the first time MetClub (which started in later 1993/early 1994) was on tour and my job was to promote the MetClub. There was no Club Booth during those days, so what we did was pass out about 10, 000 flyers at every show. Our day would start at 10am, and we would continue until after the boys were off stage, sometimes that meant 2am. Right after the show we would try to find somewhere to sleep (nope, there was no tour bus for me during that tour). If we were lucky we would catch a ride with someone to the next show, or Greyhound, or we would catch a standby flight (we bought a special standby ticket). I think during this whole tour we got in average of 2 hours/night, hardly ever in a bed though. When this tour was over I was really burned out and told myself that this was the last time I would do that.
Then of course after some rest, I was ready again. In 1995 I went to the studio (when Metallica was recording Load) to do a report for Metallica Club Scandinavia's magazine "Damage Inc." Don't ask me how, but somehow I ended up with a belly piercing, that unfortunately was recorded and can be seen in the FanCan #1 video.
In 1996, I was studying Business and Marketing at the University of Lund in Sweden, and then one day I got a call from Tony Smith to check if I was interested in going on tour in Europe for a few months. It took me another 3 seconds to say yes, and then my next call was to the University to let them know I would be back in three months. Well, those three months ended up being much longer than that. Basically, I never returned to the University, as Metallica kept me busy for the next 8 years.
1996 was the first time I was on the tourbus and a part of the crew. I was hired to do MetClub booth, Meet & Greet, video tape for Lars plus tons of other stuff. One of my interest has always been the internet and during this time is when I came up with the idea for MetOnTour.com. I mentioned this to the band, and they were like "sure, whatever, do it on your spare time". Hey, I got a "yes" and I am rolling with it! Too make an even longer story short, after a few years with the great support from Metallica fans all over the world, MetOnTour became my full time gig.
I could write on and on about this, but it is really boring to type on the computer, when the sun is shining outside and I should be surfing...plus, you guys are probably bored by now...Trust me, the rest of the questions, the answers will be shorter...
How many Metallica shows do you think you have seen?
Shit, I just counted and realized I have been to around 700 Met shows AND spent 17 years of my life in the Metallica world.
Was "MetOnTour" your idea? If "yes", did all of the guys like the idea?
Yes, the idea was mine. I would say they really didn't understand what MetOnTour was all about. They were not too internet savvy at that time. I think MetOnTour became better and better each year, and a lot had to do with the input from the band once they started to realize how cool it could be. They had their own fucking Metallica TV station, reality TV at its best, way before anyone else. MetOnTour was truly the first of its kind, and that is kinda cool :) These past few years for MetOnTour would not have been so cool, if it was not for Lars. I know everyone is laughing about his babbles, but he really put in a lot of energy and ideas to both MetOnTour and Jump in the Studio.
MetOnTour is very popular with Metallica fans
Did you have any other ideas (like MetOnTour) that you wanted to do but the boyz didn't approve it or you just didn't get the chance to ask them?
Yes, I still have a few ideas stashed away that I have never got the chance to get approved...Man I wish I will get the chance one day...
What typically happens after a Metallica show?
There is nothing "typical" about a Metallica show. I would say if you are looking for some scandalous thing, you have to go and see another show. These days the guys are very family oriented and really just want to chill and head back to their hotel. The crew, after everyone is finished working, will meet up on the tour bus and share a few beers.
What is your favorite part during a typical Metallica show?
Whenever they play Dyers Eve! When something happens and Metallica steps up to improvise.
Did you have any formal training with videowork before becoming an official videographer for Metallica?
I went to the official school of Metallica videographers! I have been recording concerts for many, many years and it has always been a hobby of mine, during my travels.
Was editing the videos as big of a pain in the ass as it might seem to be?
Worse! Lars would always come right after the show and go "So this video will be up, like in 10 minutes?" In the early days of MetOnTour you did not use FireWire or DV. None of the laptops were powerful enough to edit video on. Back in the days, actually all the way up to 2003, I would always use my own camera, as it was never in the budget to get a camera for the "fanclub guy". I think I was just soo excited about MetOnTour, and really proud of it, so I did not care.
Did anyone ever give you trouble about your picture taking/video duties (i.e., venue security, police)?
Yes, plenty of times. Last time was in Paris, the venue actually confiscated the tape. (That tape is probably out in the bootleg circuit now, huh?)
What frustrates you most about your job?
Well, I really want to try and be as honest as possible and give you guys some cool material, so if you are doing updates (to MetOnTour) from a long 30-show US tour, after a while all the venues start to look the same. To make it interesting and different I try to shoot as much footage as possible every day, so I can edit and make each and every night unique and cool. I traveled with the crew, and as we all know, all the fans want to see THE BAND. I think the most frustrating thing about my job is when I am trying to convince the band to enable me to get more access, to bring me along for more things. A lot of times the band shows up at 5:00, interviews & media at 5:20, then meet & Greet at 6:00, and then in to the dressing room and prepare for show. It is hard to make that exciting and different every night! In a perfect world (it never is) I would be able to travel more with the band to capture and portray how their world works.
If there is one thing you could change about your job, what would it be?
See above.
What was your favorite part of touring the world?
All the cool people you meet, some of them become friends for life. Also the opportunity to see countries and places that you would otherwise not get a chance to visit. For example, I could never afford going to Japan on vacation, but through work I have now been there twice.
Niclas, Eric "Mancow" Muller, and Jaymz
What was your favorite city or venue to visit while on tour with Metallica?
The Playboy Mansion (Hef's Venue) (NOTE: Metallica played there on October 18, 1998)
Brande Roderick, Niclas and Hugh Hefner
Metallica and the Bunnies
What was the worst part about touring the world?
The worst part is to be away from your family & friends. My parents are now over 70 years old and it is hard for me not to see them for a long time. I also have two step children that are now 8 & 12 years old. When you are away from them for a longer period, that really hurts your relation ship with them. Especially as I am not their biological father.
What was your least favorite city or venue to visit while on tour with Metallica?
Don't get me wrong, but 17 shows in Germany in a row, becomes a little...
Since you've toured with Metallica all over the world, was there any place that Metallica hasn't played that you wish they did?
Fiji would be cool. So would South Africa or China. Since Metallica has almost played in all parts of the world, anywhere they have not been before, is darn cool.
In your opinion, what country or city had the best crowds at a Metallica show?
The two nights in Seoul, Korea, was extremly cool, and LOUD (April 24 & 25, 1998). The crowds in South America are probably among my favorites. When Pantera was opening at a show in Mexico in May 1999, I remember being backstage and I could hear the crowd sing along to "Walk". I thought to myself, how the hell could Metallica possibly follow this?
Out of all of the opening acts for Metallica that you saw, who was your favorite(s)?
Corrosion of Conformity - I had so much fun with them during those months they opened for Metallica in 1997. Kid Rock - the nicest bunch of guys you will meet. I have so much respect for Kid Rock, he is a great guy. I think I have a few favorites that I just enjoyed to watch - Sepultura, King Diamond, Pantera, and Turbonegro.
Niclas and Slipknot
Who were your favorite Metallica crew members to hang out with?
Robert "RIP" Reisinger! There are so many of them. Having my morning coffee with Bob "Security" Bender makes me still scarred for life :) I have been on the backline (the bands techs) bus for the past years and they are all great. Steven Wiig (Lars' assistant) is fun to hang with, more when he is not working though :) A lot of crazy people have come and gone throughout the years.
Niclas and Robert
Niclas and Steve
What is the most outrageous thing you have done while being on tour?
Things I can not write about here. :)
What is Niclas up to?
What is the most outrageous thing Jaymz has done while on tour?
You'll have to ask him.
Did working for the band include a decent Christmas bonus (HA HA HA)?
Christmas Boner?
Did you get tired of the same stuff night after night, year after year?
No, I always tried to make my job exciting and to keep the creativity going. As I was doing MetOnTour, I was in a way my own boss. If I had an idea, I would run it by the band and a lot of time they would approve.
What would you have done differently in all your experiences with being on tour?
Good question...Don't really have an answer to that one.
Where do you see Metallica in 10 years?
Still creating music, but maybe not tour as much.
What is your favorite Metallica album(s)?
Master of Puppets
What is your least favorite Metallica album(s)?
Load/Reload
What is your favorite Metallica song(s)?
Battery
What is your least favorite Metallica song(s)?
Ronnie
Which member of Metallica do you have the greatest connection with?
I think because of surfing I have special connection with Rob and Kirk. There is a special bond that surfers share all over the world. If you are a surfer, you know what I am talking about. Surfing is almost a religious thing, very spiritual. I do consider those guys good friends of mine, outside of Metallica work too.
Which member of Metallica do you feel the least connection with?
That is a really hard question. I really have respect for Lars, he is the funniest guy you will ever hang out with. He is also the guy a lot of times holding the Metallica flag. James was the first person that I got to know in the band, about 14 years ago. Unfortunately I feel that maybe the connection we had in the past, is not as strong these days, and that is a shame. Who knows what the future brings though...
Who is the moodiest member of metallica?
I can't tell you that, Lars would be pissed!
Niclas and Lars
In your opinion, who or what has had the greatest influence on Metallica?
The guys getting families & kids and James going to rehab.
What kind of "rituals" do the guys have before going onstage?
Pray to Satan?
Do you miss Jason? Did you ever talk with him after he left Metallica in January 2001?
Absolutely, Jason was a great guy. When Rob came in the picture, and I've known Rob since the Suicidal days, it was such a different thing as he is such a different person. Everything is meant to be and I know that Jason is happy, and so is Rob. I think I have only seen Jason twice after he left. One time Kirk and I went to Plant studios when Jason was recording with Voivod. This visit was a complete surprise for him, Kirk just really wanted to hang out and say hi to Jason.
In the Some Kind of Monster movie, Jaymz said that there were 3 bass players that he liked and wished that he could put all 3 together to make one bass player. Rob was obviously one of them. Who were the other 2 bass players that Jaymz was referring to?
You gotta ask James.
Who is a better surfer - you, Rob or Kirk?
In this order: 1 - Rob, 2 - Kirk, 3 - Niclas. In 1994 during the Summer Shit tour, when Suicidal was the opening act, I went to Santa Monica and surfed with Rob. I was a SUPER BARNEY but he was already good at that time.
Other than surfing (of course), what are your favorite things non-work related to spend time doing?
Hangout with the family. BBQ with friends during Monday Night Football.
Jimbo, Jeff, Crazy Steve, Eric, Heather and Niclas - Atlantic City
On the FanCan #1 video, you got your bellybuttoon pierced? Do you still have the piercing? Do you regret doing it?
Would I do it today? No! I had it for a few weeks and then it got infected so I had to get rid of it, or it would get rid of me.
On a cover of So What!, there is a picture of you handcuffed in your underwear while you were getting whipped by a dominatrix. What was that about?
Yeah, that is what I am asking myself - "What was that about?"
What other bands do you listen to?
Entombed, Pearl Jam, Bob Marley, Slayer, The Haunted, In Flames, Candlemass, Jack Johnson, SOAD, Dark Tranquility
Do you plan to come back and tour with Metallica when they come back on tour?
It is not up to me. I really don't know what will happen in the future, right now I am focused on my day to day life and it is far away from anything Metallica. Whatever happens in the future, I still have a lot of respect for those 4 guys and I have so many great memories of things we have done together all over the world. Metallica will always have a great
place in my heart.
Nice Shirt!
("I quit the band, now I just play with myself")
How do you like living in Costa Rica?
I think after touring for so long, it was time for a break. If I would continue to live in San Francisco I would get the time needed to reconnect with my family, and that has to be the focus for me. The people in Costa Rica and not to mention the extraordinary climate and nature, including some of the best surf in the world, makes it not to hard to love life! There are so many many great things about Costa Rica that I could tell you, but this is about Metallica :)
Pura Vida, over and out, Niclas
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