Lars Ulrich of Metallica Says It's Okay That People 'Steal' Their Records

Lars Ulrich of Metallica Says It’s Okay That People ‘Steal’ Their Records

2023-10-31

Lars Ulrich says working on new Metallica music has helped him get through a difficult 2020.

Lars Ulrich says he’s happy with fans buying, streaming and even stealing their records – Story by Charles Ken, photo by Ken Settle

Larch Ulrich says he’s grateful Metallica still have such great fans that are buying, streaming and even stealing their records

What a difference a few decades makes. Back in the late-1990s and early-2000, Lars Ulrich of Metallica was hugely against fans stealing the band’s music via music sharing sites such as Napster. In fact, Metallica v. Napster, Inc. was a 2000 U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case centered on copyright infringement, illegal use of digital audio interface devices and racketeering. But, today, Ulrich says he’s just happy that Metallica are still so popular and relevant. He actually says he’s glad that fans are still buying, streaming and even stealing their records.

Ulrich talked about his appreciation for Metallica’s longstanding fans during an interview with the “SmartLess” podcast. On the show, he talked about how the industry has changed over the past 40 years that Metallica have been an active band. That’s when he talks about the fans.

“…Big picture, and I know this may sound like a little bit of a cop-out, I’m just happy that f***ing anybody cares about what we’re doing and shows up to see us play and still stream or buy or steal our records or whatever,” he said (as transcribed via Blabbermouth.net). “The engagement itself, I think, is the triumph and the victory. Obviously, it’s way, way harder for a lot of the younger bands nowadays because they don’t get the support of the record companies for basic things — just like gear and tour support. So there is very much of a different thing.”

Ulrich also talks about how good songwriting will “find home with a larger group of people.” He even gave props to people who just make music at home, saying that “whether you do it from your bedroom or through a record company or whatever, I believe that everybody will be heard eventually if they’re talented.” But, he added that it’s difficult for younger bands that can’t make a living playing shows anymore. Because music doesn’t sell like it once did, Ulrich said that bands really have to get out there. Bands have to work extra hard to push their music and make it.

In other news, Metallica wrapped up the first North American leg of their “M72” world tour on Sept. 9 in Glendale, Arizona. Last month, they headlined Power Trip on Oct. 8 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Now, Metallica will set off on the second leg of their “M72” tour starting Nov. 3 and 5 at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The tour sees Metallica performing two completely different sets in the same cities for two nights. It also welcomes different openers each evening. Those opening acts include Pantera, Mammoth WVH, Greta Van Fleet, Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat and Ice Nine Kills.

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Charles Ken

Meet the expert - Charles Ken is a graduate of Michigan State University where he studied writing and history. He's a longtime music buff and covers classic rock for Audio Ink Radio. Contact him at ken@audioinkradio.com.