Jason Newsted, the former Metallica bassist, has announced that he’s hitting the road with his band, The Chophouse Band, and we’re not entirely sure how to feel about it. On one hand, it’s great to see Newsted back in action after his battle with throat cancer 🎸. On the other hand, we can’t help but wonder if he’s rushing back into things a bit too quickly 🤦♂️. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone’s “Nashville Now” podcast, Newsted opened up about his cancer diagnosis and how it inspired him to get back out on the road. He said, “About a year ago, they found some throat cancer, and so I had some pretty serious procedure. And so I’m, yeah, 300 and whatever days out, nearing 400 days out. And I’ve got some healing to do.”
The Cancer Battle
Newsted was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2025, but wasn’t declared cancer-free until earlier this year. He spoke about the experience, saying, “I had to claw back. I had to claw my way back. The depression, the level of depression was so severe that you just… A couple of times, I’d never been the kind of person that would say that or even had that kind of thinking, but [I felt], like, ‘Dude, fuck this.’ I done did what I did, been blessed very much. Great friends, a way to be still, just fucking let… Like, ‘Okay, man, just take me now, motherfucker,’ that type of thing, for a couple weeks.” He also talked about how he’s been getting back into music, saying, “I started getting back out of it. I started swimming again, got back on my bike, doing my things, doing my things, getting some sun, playing some music, meeting some people, keeping my head out, writing some more songs, doing all the things.”
So, what’s the plan for The Chophouse Band’s upcoming tour? Newsted said, “We’re fired up to finally take this to the people, and it’s an honor to head out on the road with the BLACKBERRY crew for our first proper run. BLACKBERRY SMOKE has built a loyal following that knows and enjoys good music.” The tour kicks off on July 1 at Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Massachusetts, and will make stops in cities like Albany, Alexandria, Grand Rapids, and Knoxville. The band will also be supporting Blackberry Smoke for 10 shows in July.
The Music
The Chophouse Band plays a unique blend of outsider Americana, with roots in bluegrass, folk, soul, rock, and heavy metal. Newsted’s lyrics are deeply personal, and he’s not afraid to get real about his struggles with depression and cancer. He said, “I’ve realized that this is where I can place my energy effectively now. THE CHOPHOUSE is the continuation of my ambassadorship of American music. THE CHOPHOUSE BAND plays everything from bluegrass to fucking slabs of metal. We’re covering a lot of ground. There could be country flavor to a song, but it’ll still have sharp teeth.” The band’s current lineup includes Newsted on guitar and vocals, Jesse Farnsworth on guitar and vocals, Jimbo Hart on bass and vocals, Humberto Perez on guitar, and Robert John-Tucker on drums and vocals.
So, is this a comeback story for the ages, or is Newsted just trying to prove to himself that he’s still got it? Either way, we’re excited to see what The Chophouse Band has in store for us. As Newsted said, “I’m doing it for the fun. It’s my elective thing. I’m not making any money on any of this. I’m just doing it because I want to do it with some friends.” And honestly, that’s all the reason we need to get behind this tour 🤘.
In all seriousness, it’s great to see Newsted back on the road, and we wish him all the best on his upcoming tour. If you’re a fan of The Chophouse Band or just want to support a legendary musician, be sure to check out their upcoming shows 🎟️. And who knows, maybe we’ll even see a Metallica reunion in the future 🤞 (just kidding, don’t hold your breath) 😂.
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
