Beatallica, the only band in the world legally approved to mash up The Beatles and Metallica, in turn creating their own original masterpieces. What started out as a fun demo tape they recorded, now sees the band on their 4th release "Masterful Mystery Tour" and a tour schedule that's been full since 2004.
The band members go under the stage names Jaymz Lennfield, Grg Hammettson III, Kliff McBurtney and Ringo Larz. They mash up songs like "Enter Sandman" and "Taxman", "A Garage Dayz Nite", "Masterful Mystery Tour", "Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band" and loads more.
We caught up with bassist Kliff McBurtney for an interview.
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LoudTrax.com: In 2005, you opened for Dream Theater and Mike Portnoy played on stage with you. Are you big Dream Theater fans and how was the vibe while he was on stage?
Kliff McBurtney: They are all great guys, just normal dudes really. Playing with Mike is cool, as he is a huge Beatles fan. Not only do the DT fans appreciate it, but I think Mike really likes it too, by the way he plays hyperspeed – calm down there Mikey!
LoudTrax.com: Beatallica has shared the bill with artists like Testament, Sepultura, Kreator….some very heavy and intense bands. You guys bring a more “light” and fun atmosphere. How have you found the fans reaction to your set?
Kliff McBurtney: Reactions vary from light-hearted fun having (the way it should be), to out and out disgust (go get another beer and learn to lighten up, sour-puss!). At least you can’t be neutral at a Beatallica show.
LoudTrax.com: You have been in touch with Metallica. What was their reaction when they first heard about what you were doing?
Kliff McBurtney: We have heard nothing but positive reactions from Metallica. When we met them in 2009, James Hetfield didn’t hit us or anything. Lars was uber curious what we were doing on the new album (Masterful Mystery Tour), and we all had a good chat. It is all meant in good fun.
LoudTrax.com: There were some legal issues which Lars Ulrich actually helped you sort out. Tell us about that and if you still encounter problems.
Kliff McBurtney: It’s true. Lars initial interest in the project prompted him to lend a hand with some legal help. Basically, our lawyers sat down with Metallica’s lawyers and Sony/EMI’s lawyers to have a suit party, and a deal was hammered out that all sides are cool with. Now we have a working business relationship with all parties so no more probs.
LoudTrax.com: Has anyone from The Beatles or Apple (the label) been in contact with you?
Kliff McBurtney: No, though we welcome their input. I think Sir Paul and Ringo are too busy to deal with the likes of us. They do have a standing invite to come up and jam with us.
LoudTrax.com: You have released 3 full albums and 1 Christmas EP. Is there a risk that the mash up possibilities are limited? What are your thoughts on that?
Kliff McBurtney: By its very nature a mash up of two bands is limited in scope. Back when the party tape was made that started Beatallica, continuation wasn’t even on the radar. It was about having fun and coming up with some crazy, cool shit. That is still the idea, so when we run out of the 250+ Beatles songs (and solo works), and God knows how many Metallica songs then I guess we are screwed.
LoudTrax.com: Have you considered mashing up other bands’s music?
Kliff McBurtney: Everyone always asks that and we usually give some flippant answer like Barry Manowar, B.B. King Diamond, Avril LaVai, Donny Osbourne (or Ozzy Osmond), etc… You can get drunk and think of a bunch of your own. The reality is that we have enough on our plate with this project, those others can be someone elses’ nightmare.
LoudTrax.com: What are Beatallica’s plans moving forward?
Kliff McBurtney: We are still touring in support of the latest album, Masterful Mystery Tour. In the near future we have Midwest festival dates lined up, including Milwaukee’s Summerfest, and an opening slot for Dream Theater in July. Playing the West coast is our primary goal in the Fall. It has always been our aim to get out that way to give a big “Hell Yeah!” to all the Left Coast heshers that have been supporting us from the get go. After that we will have to get back in the studio and further limit our mash-up possibilities. Folks can always stay abreast of our current news on our website: http://www.beatallica.org , or various social netwurx (i.e. facebook.com/beatallica, twitter.com/beatallica, myspace.com/beatallica, …where will it end?)
LoudTrax.com: Thanks for taking the time to interview Rock, Metal, Punk download site LoudTrax.com.
Kliff McBurtney: CHEERS!
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Shout out to Chip Ruggieri at Chipster PR & Consulting for hooking up the interview.
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